Finding 505361 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-12

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Twelve students had incorrect program begin dates reported, leading to potential inaccuracies in enrollment data submitted to NSLDS.
  • Impacted Requirements: Institutions must accurately report both "Campus Level" and "Program Level" enrollment information as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance policies and procedures for enrollment reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance; management has agreed and is developing a Corrective Action Plan.

Finding Text

2024-001 Special Tests and Provisions - Enrollment Reporting. Finding Type. Immaterial Noncompliance/Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance (Special Tests and Provisions). Program. Student Financial Assistance Cluster; U.S. Department of Education; Assistance Listing Numbers 84.033 and 84.268; Award Numbers P033A238732 and P268K246780. Criteria. Institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and the Direct loan programs via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) (OMB No. 1845-0035) (Pell, 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2); Direct Loan, 34 CFR 685.309). Institutions must review, update, and verify student enrollment statuses, program information, and effective dates that appear on the Enrollment Reporting Roster file or on the Enrollment Maintenance page of the NSLDS Professional Access (NSLDSFAP) website. There are two categories of enrollment information; “Campus Level” and “Program Level,” both of which need to be reported accurately and have separate record types. Condition. We noted that twelve students out of a testing population of twelve did not have the correct program begin date reported. Cause. This condition was caused by a prior policy, which recorded the program begin date as a default date that was entered into the system, rather than the term that the student began their program. Effect. As a result of this condition, the Organization was exposed to an increased risk that incorrect information would be reported to NSLDS. Questioned Costs. No costs were required to be questioned as a result of this finding inasmuch as our testing did not reveal any unallowed costs. Recommendation. We recommend that the Organization enhance its policies and procedures regarding enrollment reporting to ensure that reporting is completed accurately. View of Responsible Officials. Management agrees with this finding and has prepared a Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2024-001 – Special Tests and Provisions - Enrollment Reporting. Auditor Description of Condition and Effect. During our testing we noted that twelve students out of a testing population of twelve did not have the correct program begin date reported to NSLDS. As a result, there is an increased risk that incorrect information will be reported to NSLDS. Auditor Recommendation. We recommend that the Organization enhance its policies and procedures regarding enrollment reporting to ensure that reporting is completed accurately. Corrective Action. The institution concurs with the finding. The errors resulted from a system default date used to complete enrollment reporting that has been updated to reflect each student’s program beginning date accurately. The Registrar and IT office have rectified the issue and will implement a semester-based review of the program begin dates per incoming cohort or student to prevent this issue from occurring again. A review with NSC (National Student Clearinghouse), used to complete enrollment reporting, was completed on the following dates: - May 2024 Graduated Students Report updated/uploaded w/correct program start dates: June 28th, 2024. - Summer 2024 Semester Students Term Report updated/uploaded w/correct program start dates: July 23rd, 2024. -Fall 2024 Semester Students Term Report updated/uploaded w/correct program start dates: August 26th, 2024. Responsible Person. Kristy Kryszczak. Anticipated Completion Date. A new system was implemented on June 28th, 2024, to update the correct program start dates for each student moving forward.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 505362 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081803 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081804 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $10.13M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $150,668