Finding 370528 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-02-26
Audit: 292194
Organization: Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC)
Auditor: Bdo USA PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report changes in student enrollment status accurately and on time, violating federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 685.309, which mandates reporting within 30 days of a status change.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to ensure timely reporting of student status changes to avoid future compliance issues.

Finding Text

Federal Program Information: Student Financial Assistance Cluster: Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (Assistance Listing #84.007), Federal Work-Study Program (Assistance Listing #84.033), Federal Pell Grant Program (Assistance Listing #84.063), Federal Direct Loan Program (Assistance Listing #84.268) Criteria or Specific Requirement: N. Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting: Federal regulation 34 CFR 685.309 states that the institution shall accurately report a change in a student’s enrollment status directly to the lender or guarantee agency within 30 days if a student has graduated, withdrawn, or ceased to be enrolled (or failed to enroll) at least half-time and the school does not expect its next Roster File to NSLDS within 60 days. Condition: The University did not report students’ status changes accurately and within the required timeframe. Cause: Administrative oversight. Effect or Possible Effect: The University was not in compliance with required federal guidelines. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Program Level: Based on a sample of 25 students, 1 student’s enrollment status was not accurately reported to the NSLDS. Campus Level: Based on a sample of 40 students, 17 students’ selected were not reported to the NSLDS within the required timeframe. Identification of Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of prior year finding 2022-004. Recommendation: The University should implement procedures to ensure that student status changes are reported in a timely manner. Views of Responsible Officials: The University agrees with the finding - refer to the University’s Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Name of Responsible Individual: Jennu Wyatt, Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education. Corrective Action: The University experienced some turnover in the Registrar's office at the end of the 2023 fiscal year-end. This turnover unfortunately was the catalyst for the group of students who did not have their status change reported timely to the NSLDS as the previously submitted status change report, which these students were included within, kicked back from the NSLDS with several errors. That was unbeknownst to the remaining employees in the Registrar's office, until a couple of months later, when the issue was finally identified and resolved. The University now has a new Assistant Registrar in place and is interviewing for the Registrar position currently. Additionally, the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education, who now is the direct supervisor of the Registrar, is being trained in many Registrar functions, including the NSLDS reporting. The Assistant Provost is now on the communications contact list for all NSLDS reporting, as is the Assistant Registrar, so that any future error reports will be seen by multiple people and addressed in a timely manner. Anticipated Completion Date: 11/30/2023.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 370529 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 370530 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 370531 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 370532 2023-002
    -
  • 370533 2023-002
    -
  • 370534 2023-002
    -
  • 370535 2023-002
    -
  • 946970 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 946971 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 946972 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 946973 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 946974 2023-002
    -
  • 946975 2023-002
    -
  • 946976 2023-002
    -
  • 946977 2023-002
    -

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $18.64M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $3.10M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $2.17M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $323,794
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $134,554