FAC Explorer

Finding 46151 (2022-001)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-23
Audit: 40198
Organization: Essex County College (NJ)
Auditor: Pkf O'Connor Davies LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report 13 out of 40 student enrollment status changes to NSLDS on time.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 685.309(b) and 34 CFR 682.610 regarding timely reporting of enrollment status changes.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Continue implementing the corrective action plan to ensure all enrollment status changes are reported accurately and on time.

Finding Text

2022 ? 001 Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.007 ? Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants 84.033 ? Federal Work Study Program 84.063 ? Federal Pell Grant Program Award Period: July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 Type of Finding: Instance of Non-Compliance ? Enrollment Reporting Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.309(b), states that: The school must have some arrangement to report student enrollment data to NSLDS through an enrollment roster file. The school is required to report changes in the student?s enrollment status, the effective date of the status, and an anticipated completion date. Also, the Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 682.610, states that institutions must report accurately the enrollment status of all students regardless of if they receive aid from the institution or not. The school must have some arrangement to report student program enrollment effective date. The school is required to report changes in the student?s enrollment status, the effective date of the status and an anticipated completion date. Changes in enrollment to less than half-time, graduated, or withdrawn status must be reported within 30 days. However, if a roster file is expected within 60 days, you may provide the date on that roster file. Condition: During our testing, we noted 13 of 40 student enrollment status changes were not reported to NSLDS on a timely basis. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During our testing of student enrollment and program status reporting to NSLDS, we noticed errors in timeliness of enrollment status change reporting to NSLDS. Cause: The College implemented policies and procedures in place to properly track and report student enrollment and program status changes and the related dates to NSLDS but was unable to fully correct the issue during the program year under audit. Effect: Errors in enrollment and program status reporting to NSLDS could cause Title IV related issues. Repeat Finding: Yes, 2021-007. Recommendation: We recommend the College continue to follow the corrective action plan as it relates to enrollment and program status reporting to NSLDS to ensure all status changes are reported timely with the correct effective dates. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

2022-001 Student Financial Assistance NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Recommendation: We recommend the College continue to follow the corrective action plan as it relates to enrollment and program status reporting to NSLDS to ensure all status changes are reported timely with the correct effective dates. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: A cross-disciplinary group of institutional staff meets to discuss and continue remediation efforts. The Director of Enrollment Services obtains and reviews internal data reports to inform further assessment. Once the review of specific cases was completed, the Director of Enrollment Services performed a full file review for the 21-22 year, making changes necessary as a result of that review. The Director of Enrollment Services engaged in a review of policy and procedures and individuals responsible for enrollment reporting to the NSLDS including, but not restricted to, 1) review of the institution?s data in the BANNER system; 2) the institution?s set up and interface with the National Student Clearinghouse, and 3) internal staff policy and procedure for staff engaged and responsible for enrollment reporting to the NSLDS for the institution. The Director of Enrollment Services consults with personnel and continues to assess appropriate protocols. In addition, the Director of Enrollment Services directs personnel on needed training including, but not restricted to, FSA conference sessions, FSA Training portal suite pedagogy, and the National Student Clearinghouse Academy. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Renee Ojo-Ohikuare, Director of Enrollment Services. Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2023 If the Department of Education or the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education have questions regarding the documented plans above, please call Evens Wagnac at 973-877-3040.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $24.37M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $15.17M
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $1.82M
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $579,816
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $450,000
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $314,185
17.268 H-1b Job Training Grants $191,344
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $138,647
43.008 Education $53,437
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $19,668
47.076 Education and Human Resources $11,298