Finding Text
Agencies: US Department of Education Assistance Listing Numbers: Student Financial Assistance Programs Cluster: 84.033, 84.007, 84.063, 84.268, 84.038 Programs: Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Perkins Loan. 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. Statement of Condition: The change in student status for 3 of 25 students tested was not reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) timely when the students graduated after the end of the spring term. The University subsequently corrected the 3 student?s status dates in NSLDS. Additionally, management investigated further and identified a total of 255 students who were not reported timely. The University subsequently correct the students' status. Questioned Costs: The amount of any questioned costs could not be determined. Context: The University is required to monitor and report the enrollment status of Title IV loan students and report their status to NSLDS within 60 days. Three students that were tested did not have their correct enrollment status reported to NSLDS within this period. Cause: The University did not have the proper controls in place to verify that all students with status changes were appropriately reported to 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. Recommendation: We recommend the University review their policies and procedures in place to ensure that all students are appropriately reported to NSLDS in a timely manner to ensure compliance with Title IV regulations. Management's Response: Management agrees with the finding and recommendation. New procedures and controls have been implemented in fiscal 2023 to ensure all students are appropriately and timely reported to NSLDS in accordance with regulations.