Finding 519769 (2024-012)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-01-20
Audit: 338909
Organization: Bishop State Community College (AL)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report changes in student enrollment status for 5 out of 25 cases within the required 60 days.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with the NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide, which mandates timely updates for changes in student status.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen policies and procedures for enrollment reporting to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-012 – Special Tests and Provisions- Enrollment Reporting (Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance) Information on the Federal Program: U.S. Department of Education Student Financial Aid Cluster Criteria: The NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide provides requirements and guidance for reporting enrollment details under the Pell grant and other programs. Institutions must update the Enrollment Reporting Roster for changes in student status, report the date the enrollment status was effective, enter the new anticipated completion date and submit the changes electronically through the batch method or the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website. Institutions are responsible for timely reporting, whether they report directly or via a third-party servicer. These changes include reductions or increases in attendance levels, withdrawals, graduations or approved leaves-of-absence. Condition: We tested a sample of 25 withdrawn students. In 5 instances, the change in status was not reported within the required 60-day time frame. Cause: Unofficial withdraws from the College are not determined until after the end of the semester. Based on current procedures, these student status changes were not included in the last report of the semester and the next reporting submission was not submitted timely. Effect: The College did not report the student enrollment status change in a timely manner. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: We recommend the College strengthen its policies and procedures related to enrollment reporting requirements to comply with the regulations. Views of Responsible Officials: See Management’s View and Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.

Corrective Action Plan

Management's Response: Management concurs with the audit finding above. The Director of Admissions & Records has worked with the Audit Resource team at NSC to work through a process to ensure that unofficial withdrawals are accurately captured from Banner and reported in a timely manner. The NSC specialist helped the college set up an additional "subsequent of term" submission roughly 30 days after the end of the semester but prior to the first upload of the following semester. As a nonattendance taking institution, this timeframe will allow the college a chance to make withdrawal determinations for students who did not officially withdraw but stopped attending at some point in the semester and code them appropriately in Banner. This action has occurred, been tested and implemented as of January 2025.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 519770 2024-012
    Significant Deficiency
  • 519771 2024-012
    Significant Deficiency
  • 519772 2024-007
    Material Weakness
  • 519773 2024-008
    Material Weakness
  • 519774 2024-009
    Significant Deficiency
  • 519775 2024-010
    Significant Deficiency
  • 519776 2024-011
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096211 2024-012
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096212 2024-012
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096213 2024-012
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096214 2024-007
    Material Weakness
  • 1096215 2024-008
    Material Weakness
  • 1096216 2024-009
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096217 2024-010
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096218 2024-011
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $14.47M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $9.46M
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $5.53M
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $587,268
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $465,323
84.042 Trio Student Support Services $249,285
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $209,274
17.268 H-1b Job Training Grants $166,381
17.259 Wioa Youth Activities $127,540
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $95,025
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $21,836