Finding Text
Finding 2022-003: Significant Deficiency - Enrollment Reporting Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063 and 84.268 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award Identification Number: P063P21186 and P268K221186 Federal Award Year: June 30, 2022 Repeat of prior year finding 2021-002 Criteria: Title IV regulations (34 CFR 685.309(b)) require that upon receipt of an enrollment report from the Secretary, institutions must update all information included in the report and return the report to the Secretary: (i) in the manner and format prescribed by the Secretary; and (ii) within the timeframe prescribed by the Secretary. Unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, an institution must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the institution discovers that: (i) a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended; or (ii) a student who is enrolled at the institution and who received a loan under Title IV of the Act has changed his or her permanent address. Condition/Context: Of 25 students tested, the status date for one student selected was not reported accurately on the campus level reporting in National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). The College used the degree conferral date of August 20, 2021 rather than the end of the term/last date of attendance of July 4, 2021 that was used for reporting program level information for this student, and consistent with how other students were reported. Additionally, for two students, reporting at the program level was late, not within 30 days or included in a response to a roster file or within 60 days. The students were reported as graduated effective August 20, 2021 with the earliest certification date of October 31, 2021 at the campus level and December 3, 2021 at the program level. The sample was not a statistically valid sample. Cause: The College noted the reporting was completed timely to the servicer National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) however was not reflected in NSLDS. Effect: The accuracy of Title IV student loan records depends heavily on the accuracy of the enrollment information reported by schools. If an Institution does not review, update, and verify student enrollment statuses, effective dates of the enrollment status, and the anticipated completion dates, then the Title IV student loan records will be inaccurate. Questioned costs: Not applicable Recommendation: It is recommended that the College review policies and procedures in place to resolve reporting issues in a timely manner to facilitate compliance with Title IV regulations. Management?s Response: Management acknowledges the finding. In order to ensure compliance in 2022-2023, the Office of the Registrar has increased degree reporting frequency to National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), so as to meet the 60 day file requirement in NSLDS. It has also have gained access to the National Student Loan Data System to monitor alignment with information submitted by the College to NSC.