Finding 504421 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-01
Audit: 326979
Organization: Missouri Baptist University (MO)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report student enrollment changes to NSLDS on time, violating federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Enrollment reporting must occur within 30 days for changes and 60 days for roster files.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Evaluate and improve controls for monitoring enrollment reporting and ensure timely updates from third-party service providers.

Finding Text

Information on the Federal Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Assistance Listing Number 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans, Assistance Listing Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program, U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2023-2024 Criteria or Specific Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Enrollment Reporting Condition: Federal regulations provide that the University is responsible for notifying the National Student Loan Data System (“NSLDS”) of changes in enrollment within 30 days or on an Enrollment Reporting roster file within 60 days. The University’s internal control system did not prevent certain late or missed changes requiring reporting. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of a population of 418 student enrollment status changes requiring NSLDS notification, a sample of 40 student enrollment changes were selected for testing. 3 of the status changes had deviations from reporting requirements. Our sample was not and was not intended to be statistically valid. Effect: The University may not be able to timely detect when students are not being included within the Enrollment Reporting roster file which could result in the NSLDS not being properly notified of student enrollment changes for Direct Loan and Pell recipients in accordance with federal regulations. Cause: The University's processes did not ensure status changes were reported timely. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if Applicable: 2023-001 Recommendation: We recommend the University evaluate controls around monitoring enrollment reporting to determine changes, either on the electronic processes or review processes that should be made to properly capture enrollment status changes on a timely basis and to properly monitor its third-party service provider for timely reporting as necessary. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management concurs with the finding and recommendation. See further information on the corrective action plan provided by management.

Corrective Action Plan

Student Status Changes The process of reporting enrollment to the NSLDS has historically been housed within the Student Financial Services department. The compliance issues with enrollment reporting during the prior award year were a result of having only one individual trained in transmitting our monthly file to the National Student Clearinghouse. Over the past few months, staff from our Records Office have been receiving training on preparing enrollment reporting files for transmission to the National Student Clearinghouse. During the current award year, collaborative meetings have been scheduled to have the principal agent from the Records Office and the principal agent from the Student Financial Services department meet to transmit data files to the Clearinghouse. Subsequent meetings are scheduled within 24-48 hours of each file transmission date to ensure error reports posted to the Clearinghouse are resolved in a timely manner. Zach Greenlee Director, Student Financial Services Phone: 314-392-2398 Email: zach.greenlee@mobap.edu

Categories

Student Financial Aid Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Special Tests & Provisions Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 504417 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 504418 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 504419 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 504420 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 504422 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1080859 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1080860 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1080861 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1080862 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1080863 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1080864 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $16.81M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $3.02M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $172,869
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $165,000
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $120,229