FAC Explorer

Finding 387001 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-28
Audit: 299379
Organization: Lindenwood University (MO)
Auditor: Rubinbrown

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report enrollment status changes for 17 out of 22 students within the required 60-day timeframe.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal guidelines for enrollment reporting under the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loan programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should review and enhance processes and controls to ensure timely and accurate enrollment reporting moving forward.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-003 – Significant Deficiency: Special Tests and Provisions - Enrollment Reporting – Compliance and Control Finding ALN 84.063 - Federal Pell Grant Program and 84.268 - Federal Direct Student Loan Program - Student Financial Aid Cluster Federal Agency: Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: None Criteria Or Specific Requirement: The University is required to report changes to a student’s enrollment status and the date the enrollment status was effective and submit the changes to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). The status changes must be reported at a minimum of every 60 days. Condition: Based on a sample of 22 students tested, the enrollment status of 17 students was not reported within the 60-day timeframe. Cause: Controls over compliance put in place by management related to the implementation of a new student information system in the current year were not operating effectively as it relates to enrollment reporting. Effect: The University’s was not in compliance with the enrollment reporting guidelines. In addition, the internal controls did not prevent instances of noncompliance from occurring. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Based on a sample of 22 students tested, the enrollment status of 17 students was not reported within the 60-day timeframe. The sample was non-statistical from a listing of students receiving financial aid. Identification As A Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that management review its processes and controls surrounding this compliance requirement to ensure that the control is appropriate and operating effectively to support that the University is in compliance with the requirements of its federal program. Views Of Responsible Officials: The University agrees with the finding. The University is implementing a new student information system, which includes controls related to completing enrollment reporting in a timely and accurate manner.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2023-003 Personnel Responsible for Corrective Action: Senior Vice President, Student Experience – Joseph Sallustio Anticipated Completion Date: March 2024 Corrective Action Plan: The University has completed its implementation of Anthology, a student information system, during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. During the go-live in Spring 2023, the University experienced critical system reporting issues which were addressed a quickly as possible. The new system has several built in features that are supplemented with internal controls to ensure enrollment reporting requirements are completed in a timely fashion. In Spring 2024, Anthology provided the University with a audit tool to review data before uploading to promote efficiency and accuracy.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Special Tests & Provisions Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Subrecipient Monitoring Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 386998 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 386999 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387000 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387002 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387003 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963440 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963441 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963442 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963443 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963444 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963445 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $37.19M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $6.96M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $378,776
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $243,641
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $10,373