Finding Text
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster
ALN Numbers: Various
Award Period: June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023
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 requires that enrollment status changes for students be reported to NSLDS within 30 days or within 60 days if the student with the status change will be reported on a scheduled transmission within 60 days of the change in status.
Condition: During our testing, we noted 28 out of the 40 students tested where the student was not reported in a timely manner after the school determined the students change in status.
Questioned Costs: None
Context: During our testing, it was noted the University determined that students who had a graduation date during the spring term but did not get their degree conferred until after they had already submitted the degree verification report, were being delayed. For example, the report they sent in June included summer graduates, but it delayed the late spring graduates.
Cause: The University's process for NSLDS enrollment reporting did not catch the late spring graduates in 2023, so that group was not reported timely.
Effect: The University did not comply with Department of Education (ED) regulations by reporting student enrollment status changes timely.
Repeat Finding: Yes – 2022-001
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 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.