Finding Text
Criteria: Per 34 CFR 690.83, an institution shall submit, in accordance with deadline dates established by the Secretary, through publication in the Federal Register, other reports and information the Secretary requires in connection with the funds advanced to it and shall comply with the procedures the Secretary finds necessary to ensure that the reports are correct. Additionally, per 34 CFR 685.309, upon receipt of an enrollment report from the Secretary, a school 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.
Condition/context: Of the 16 students selected for testing:
• Two students’ withdrawn status was not reported to NSLDS.
• Three students were not reported to NSLDS with an accurate withdrawal date.
• One student’s program length was improperly reported as 2.5 years rather than two years.
Cause: The Student Financial Aid Office and Records and Registration do not have controls in place to ensure the proper and timely reporting of student status changes.
Effect: If the College fails to comply with the terms and conditions of a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may impose additional conditions, as described in 2 CFR 200.208, or implement other remedies for noncompliance, as described in 2 CFR 200.339.
Additionally, the improper reporting of student status changes could impact students’ repayment status and/or maximum eligibility period.
Questioned costs: None.
Identification as a repeat finding: Yes - see finding 2023-003.
Recommendation: The Student Financial Aid Office and Records and Registration should implement controls to ensure the proper, accurate, and timely reporting of student status changes and all related pertinent information.
Views of responsible officials and planned correction actions: Management concurs with the finding. See Exhibit I.