Finding Text
ederal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster ALN Numbers: Various Award Period: June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.309(b), states schools must have some arrangement to report student enrollment data to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) through an enrollment roster file. The University is required to report changes in the student?s enrollment status, the effective date of the status, and an anticipated completion date as well as program enrollment effective date. In addition, institutions must report accurately the enrollment status of all students regardless of if they receive aid from the institution or not. Changes to said status are required to be reported within 30 days of becoming aware of the status change, or with the next scheduled transmission of statuses if the scheduled transmission is within 60 days. Condition: During our testing, we noted for 4 out of the 40 students tested, the campus enrollment effective date and the program enrollment effective date did not match the University?s records. For 1 out of 40 students tested, the status change was not reported timely. Questioned Costs: None Context: During our testing, it was noted the University does not have a process in place to ensure timeliness and accuracy of NSLDS reporting. Cause: The University did not have a process in place to ensure the effective dates reported matched the University?s records as well as status changes were not updated timely. Effect: The enrollment effective date reported to NSLDS is used to determine when the student?s grace period should begin. By not reporting an correct effective date, the grace period begin date for the student will be incorrect. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the University reevaluate its procedures and review policies surrounding reporting status changes to NSLDS to put a process in place to ensure the enrollment effective date reported to NSLDS on the campus and program level is aligning with the University. We also recommend the University review its reporting procedures to ensure all status changes are updated with the appropriate timeframe as required by regulations. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.