Finding Text
2023-004 – Student Financial Assistance Cluster – Special Tests and Provisions – NSLDS Enrollment Reporting
Criteria or specific requirement
Institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell Grant Program and the Federal Direct Student Loans via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Because the administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily upon the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions, they must review, update, and certify student enrollment statuses, program information, and effective dates that appear on the Enrollment Reporting Roster file.
Condition
During testing, it was determined that six of the 20 students tested for enrollment status changes did not have those changes properly reflected within their NSLDS records.
Context
Three of the six students graduated and did not enroll in a subsequent semester, but they did not have their graduated status reported. Two of the students were reported at a higher enrollment level than their actual credit hours reflected. The final student attended the College in the spring of 2023, but they did not enroll in any subsequent semesters. Their withdrawn status was not reported within the required timeframe.
Cause
Technological errors occurred during the reporting process, such as errors not being sent back to the College by the Clearinghouse, as well as the time calculation report not properly calculating a student’s enrollment status.
Effect
Students did not have accurate, timely information reported within NSLDS.
Recommendation
We recommend that the College review its control policies to ensure that reporting is completed accurately and timely. Wherever possible, any technological errors discovered should be pursued with the responsible party in order to try to determine a cause, and a solution or preventative measure should be implemented to prevent future errors from occurring.
Views of responsible officials
See Corrective Action Plan.