Finding Text
2024-005 – NSLDS Reporting
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education
Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster
Federal Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268
Award Period: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024
Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters
Criteria or Specific Requirement: Per U.S. Department of Education (ED) regulations, all schools participating (or approved to participate) in the Federal Student Aid programs must have an arrangement to report student enrollment data to the NSLDS through a roster file.
The school is required to report enrollment status at both the school and program level. The school is required to report changes in the student’s enrollment status, the effective date of the status and an anticipated completion date. An academic program is defined as the combination of the school’s Office of Postsecondary Education Identification (OPEID) number and the program’s Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code, credential level, and published program length. ED requires the University to report changes in enrollment status and indicate the date that the changes occurred (34 CFR 685.309).
Condition: During our testing, we noted instances where student enrollment status changes were incorrectly reported to NSLDS.
Questioned Costs: None
Context: Out of a sample of 40 students selected for testing, we noted the following:
• 3 students were reported with the incorrect enrollment status at both the campus and program levels.
• The status change for 6 students was not reported timely to NSLDS
• The program begin date for 5 students were incorrectly reported at the program level
Cause: Due to turnover in the Registrar’s office, status changes were not reported accurately.
Effect: Inaccurate reporting to the NSLDS can result in incorrect determination of when the students’ grace period should begin.
Repeat Finding: Yes, prior year finding 2023-007.
Recommendation: The University should review its policies and procedures on reporting of enrollment status changes to NSLDS to ensure that all status changes are being reported accurately to be in compliance with regulations.
Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.