Finding 34947 (2022-001)

Finding 2022-001: Enrollment Reporting Federal Program: Federal Direct Student Loans Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: Not applicable Assistance Listing Number: 84.268 Federal Award Number: P268K226824 Federal Award Year: June 30, 2022 Repeat of Finding #2021-001 Criteria: Title IV regulations (34 CFR 685.309(b)) require that upon receipt of an enrollment report from the Secretary, institutions must update all information included in the report and return the report to the Secretary: (i) in the manner and format prescribed by the Secretary; and (ii) within the timeframe prescribed by the Secretary. Unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, an institution must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the institution discovers that: (i) a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended; or (ii) a student who is enrolled at the institution and who received a loan under Title IV of the Act has changed his or her permanent address. Condition: For one of eight students tested, the student's status date for full time was reported incorrectly as 9/8/2021 and should have been 1/31/22 on the program level reporting to National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). The sample was not a statistically valid sample but was determined using Chapter 21 - Audit Sampling Considerations of the Uniform Guidance Compliance Audits of the Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits Audit Guide. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Context: Not applicable. Cause: The School's reporting for status date for this student was reported using an incorrect status date from fall 2021. Effect: The accuracy of Title IV student loan records depends on accurate and timely enrollment information reported by schools. If an institution does not report enrollment information accurately and timely, then the Title IV student loan records will be inaccurate. Recommendation: The School should revise its procedures to ensure accurate enrollment information is sent to the NSLDS within the required timeframe for all students. Management's Response: Procedural changes implemented by the school during the Spring 2022 semester that allow for more frequent and timely enrollment reporting will correct this type of enrollment reporting error going forward. In addition, school administration will update procedures to verify status start dates for any enrollment changes specifically match the student?s enrollment in the student information system.