Finding 522702 (2024-001)

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 – Certain student enrollment status changes were not communicated to the National Student Loan Data System (“NSLDS”) on a timely basis or were reported incorrectly. Cause – Majority of the exceptions identified in the sample population were related to changes within the system not being electronically identified and reported externally to NSLDS. Effect or potential effect - The NSLDS was not properly notified of student enrollment status changes of Direct Student Loan and Pell recipients in accordance with federal regulations. Questioned costs - None Context – Out of a population of 1145 student enrollment status changes requiring notification transmitted to NSLDS, a sample of 60 student enrollment status changes was selected for testing. Four of the status changes had deviations from reporting requirements. Our sample was not and was not intended to be statistically valid. Identification as a repeat finding – 2023-003, 2022-001, 2021-001, 2020-002, and 2019-001 Recommendation – The University should determine a more timely way to identify and communicate across the necessary departments when a student's enrollment status changes. Possible outside IT assistance may be needed to properly capture student enrollment activity within the system so it gets reported with in the electronic batches going to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. We also recommend performing self-audits on a monthly or quarterly basis to verify procedures in place are effective. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – See management’s response and corrective action plan attached.