Finding 409729 (2022-002)

-
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-02-26
Audit: 311937
Organization: Robert Morris University (PA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report changes in student enrollment data to NSLDS within the required 60-day timeframe.
  • Impacted Requirements: Enrollment reporting for Pell grants and Direct/FFEL loan programs must be completed within 15 days of receiving the roster file.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure timely and accurate reporting of enrollment changes to NSLDS, addressing delays caused by the new IT system.

Finding Text

Reference Number 2022-02?Enrollment ReportingFederal Program and Assistance Listing Number (ALN) ?Student Financial Aid Cluster.Criteria?Institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and the Direct and FFEL loan programs via the National Student Loan Data System (?NSLDS?) per OMB No. 1845-0035. Institutions must complete and return within 15 days the Enrollment Reporting roster file placed in their Student Aid Internet Gateway (?SAIG?) mailboxes sent by ED via NSLDS (per OMB No. 1845-0002). An institution determines how often it receives the Enrollment Reporting roster file with the default set at a minimum of every 60 days. Once received, the institution must update for changes in the enrollment data elements for the Campus Record and the Program Record identified above, and submit the changes electronically through the batch method, spreadsheet submittal, or via the NSLDS.Statement of Condition?From a sample of forty students who had changes in enrollment status during the current academic year, five students were identified to have enrollment changes reported to the NSLDS outside of the required time frame (minimum of 60 days).Questioned Costs?None.Effect?The University did not report changes in student enrollment data within the required timeline (60 days).Underlying Cause?The University implemented a new information technology system in the current year. During the period of implementation, there were delays and discrepancies in reports that resulted in some enrollment changes not being reported in a timely manner.Recommendation?The University should ensure that reporting of enrollment changes to the NSLDS is performed timely and accurately in accordance with OMB regulationsManagement?s Views and Corrective Action Plan?Please refer to the University?s Corrective Action Plan for management?s view and corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

February 24, 2023Audit Response to Federal Grants Audit (A-133) - Enrollment reporting to National Student ClearinghouseAnalysis:Robert Morris University (University) attributes the delay in reporting changes of student enrollment status (withdrawal, graduated, less than half time, etc.) to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to the implementation of a new student information system conversation (Banner) that occurred in June 2021. Banner replaced a legacy system that the University had used for decades that had reliable processes and reporting controls that accurately reported information to the NSC.The identified exceptions can be categorized into the following two general categories:Off-Cycle GraduationOne group of exceptions related to students who had degrees conferred but the University had not updated their status to "graduated" in the NSC. Upon further review, the University determined extenuating circumstances (i.e. completion of all paperwork, and assignments, incomplete grade(s), etc.) existed for these students' and their graduation date fell outside of the normal graduation date of their peers for that semester cohort. Because of the off-cycle graduation timing, these students were not captured in the new graduate reporting process in Banner at the end of each semester. This resulted in the students not being reported to the NSC.Fall 2021 Status ChangesThe final group of exceptions occurred due to the University's new student information system conversion (Banner) in June 2021. Due to the specific requirements and customized nature of the clearinghouse file, the University's first electronic submission for Fall 2021 was delayed as errors/issues were being resolved in conjunction with the NSC. During that time frame, there were students who had fully withdrawn and/or status changes from the University, but due to the delay and file parameters, they were inadvertently excluded in the first submission and/or their status change wasn't reported in a timely manner.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $25.20M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $3.87M
84.038 Federal Work-Study Program $472,300
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $375,500
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $265,739
12.300 Basic and Applied Scientific Research $229,073
47.076 Education and Human Resources $90,069
45.312 National Leadership Grants $57,120
12.420 Military Medical Research and Development $33,967
12.905 Cybersecurity Core Curriculum $20,937
12.600 Community Investment $10,232
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $1,850