Finding Text
Criteria or specific requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 682.610, states that institutions must report accurately the enrollment status of all students regardless if they receive aid from the institution or not. This includes the enrollment effective date and related enrollment status, which must be reported for both the Campus-Level and the Program-Level as well as the program begin date. In addition, regulations require that an institution make necessary corrections and return the records within 10 days for any roster files that do not pass the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) enrollment reporting edits. In addition, per the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.303, non-federal entities receiving federal awards are required to establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Condition: There were instances in which the College did not correct and resubmit the National Student Loan Data Systems (NSLDS) rosters timely. There were also instances in which the College did not report the correct status and effective dates and status changes were not always reported timely. Questioned Costs: None Condition and Context: During our testing, we noted that the National Student Loan Data Systems (NSLDS) rosters returned yielded error reports that were not corrected and resubmitted within the required 10 days. The College utilizes the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) as a third-party provider in order to submit student information to NSLDS. In addition, we noted that the enrollment status of 8 of the 30 students tested was not reported correctly to NSLDS. The enrollment effective date of 8 of the 30 students tested was not reported correctly to NSLDS. The status change of 8 of the 30 students tested was not reported timely to NSLDS. The program begin date of 2 of 30 students tested did not agree to the program begin date per NSLDS. Cause: Management did not determine if student status changes in enrollment and program were being updated accurately and timely and they did not ensure the error reports were responded to within the 10-day requirement. Effect: The College was not in compliance with the requirements to timely respond to error reports and to properly report student enrollment data correctly or timely to NSLDS. Repeat Finding: Yes. Prior-year finding number was 2021-006. Recommendation: We recommend that the College put a process in place to ensure all error reports are updated within the required 10 days. They should also establish a process to ensure all students who have a status change are accurately and timely reported to NSLDS. This process should include understanding of NSC?s processes and ensuring they are correctly reporting to NSLDS. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.