Finding 502566 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-10-11

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Enrollment status reporting was inaccurate and not submitted on time, affecting eight students.
  • Impacted Requirements: Institutions must report enrollment updates within fifteen days as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update NSLDS with correct enrollment dates and enhance controls in the Financial Aid department.

Finding Text

FINDING 2023-001: Inaccurate and Untimely Enrollment Status Reporting FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM NAME: SFA CLUSTER ALN: 84.268 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2022-2023, 2023-2024 Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Reporting (L.) Criteria: Institutions are required to provide enrollment update responses to the Enrollment Reporting Roster File within fifteen days of receipt (34 CFR 685.309). Condition: We tested thirty-seven files and enrollment status effective dates were either incorrectly reported or not reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) for eight students. Additionally, the Institution did not provide enrollment update responses in a timely manner for the months of March 2023 and July 2023. Cause: The condition was caused by oversights within the Financial Aid department. Effect or Potential Effect: The result is the Department of Education was not made aware of the changes in student statuses in a timely manner and students’ enrollment dates were reported to NSLDS inaccurately or were missing. Questioned Costs: N/A Recommendation: We recommend the Institution update the effective dates in NSLDS and increase controls over enrollment reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Part C has not been submitted for this finding as it does not apply.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2023-001: Inaccurate and Untimely Enrollment Status Reporting Comments on Finding and Recommendation(s): Statement of Concurrence: We concur with the finding of inaccurate and untimely reporting of enrollment status. The issue was due to human error from a previous employee who has been terminated as well as a misunderstanding of the policy. The transition period following the termination further compounded these issues. Actions Taken or Planned: 1. New Hire: We have already hired a new member for Financial Aid position since April 2023. This individual is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of enrollment status reporting moving forward. 2. Staff Training: • All relevant personnel, including the newly hired staff, have been scheduled for ongoing training on financial aid compliance and the reporting process. • We will ensure that each employee is proficient in using the reporting systems (e.g., NSLDS, COD) and understands the required timelines for submission. 3. Process Review and Improvement: We are reviewing our existing processes to identify gaps and inefficiencies in the current reporting system. Once identified, these processes will be updated to ensure better data accuracy and timeliness. 4. Ongoing Monitoring and Compliance Audits: We will establish regular internal audits and monitoring protocols to ensure continuous compliance with reporting standards. Completion Date: Ongoing Dong-Hua Yang MD, PhD Title: Administrative Dean

Categories

Reporting Special Tests & Provisions Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1079008 2023-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $1.07M