Finding 2678 (2023-001)

Student Financial Assistance Cluster, ALN 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program and ALN 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans, Department of Education, Award Year 2023 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – 34 CFR § 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR § 685.309(b)(1) Condition – The University is required to implement a system of internal controls that ensure enrollment information is reported to NSLDS at a minimum each 60 days. Questioned Costs – None Context – Out of a sample of 25 students selected for enrollment reporting testing, eight student status changes were not reported to NSLDS within the 60 days. Our sample was not and was not intended to be statistically valid. Effect – Enrollment information for eight students graduating in Spring 2023 was not reported timely to NSLDS. Cause – The University submits enrollment reporting information to NSLDS using a batch upload process from their student records system. At the end of the 2023 school year, the final batch was uploaded to NSLDS prior to some graduation information being updated within the student records system. The University’s internal controls did not ensure accuracy and completeness of data prior to submittal. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable – N/A Recommendation – The University should ensure internal controls related to reporting enrollment information to NSLDS are designed in a way to ensure accurate and timely reporting. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – Management concurs with the finding. Management has implemented regular monthly meetings between the Financial Aid Services and Academic Records departments of the University to review graduation error reports and ensure timely processing.