Finding 52383 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-11-02

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two students were reported to NSLDS outside the 60-day window, and one student's status was inaccurately reported.
  • Impacted Requirements: Enrollment changes must be reported accurately within 30 days or through a roster within 60 days, as per federal guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance oversight of enrollment reporting processes to ensure timely communication from NSC to NSLDS, regardless of intermediaries.

Finding Text

Finding ? Special Tests and Provisions: Enrollment Reporting ? Federal Direct Student Loans, Assistance Listing Number 84.268; June 30, 2022 Award Year; U.S. Department of Education Criteria or Specific Enrollment information, including the effective date of separation from the institution, must be accurately reported within 30 days whenever attendance changes for a student, unless a roster will be submitted within 60 days. The changes include reductions or increases in attendance levels, withdrawals, graduations, and approved leaves-of absence. It is the institution?s responsibility, as a participant in the Title IV aid programs, to monitor and report these changes to the National Student Loan Data System (?NSLDS?). (NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide September 2021, and 34 CFR 685.309(b)) Condition Of the 40 students selected for enrollment reporting testing, two students within the sample were reported to NSLDS outside the maximum 60-day window. Additionally, the status of one student was inaccurately reported. This was not a statistically valid sample. Cause For two students, the correct date of separation was reported by the University timely, within the 60-day window, to the National Student Clearinghouse (?NSC?). The end of the 60-day window lapsed between the date NSC received the data and the date that NSC communicated the data to NSLDS. Additionally, one student was enroll in continuous module courses. Upon completion of the first, the University reported this student as withdrawn when in fact they were still enrolled. Effect A student?s enrollment status determines eligibility for in-school status, deferment, grace periods, and repayments, as well as the government?s payment of interest subsidies. The notification of student status changes to NSLDS will cause a student to enter into a grace period and determine a repayment date and, therefore, accurate and timely notification of student status to NSLDS is important. Questioned Costs None noted. Identification as a Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding in 2022 and corrective action remains ongoing. See 2021-001. Recommendation The University should remain vigilant in its oversight over timely communication of enrollment reporting detail from NSC to NSLDS as it is the University?s responsibility to ensure this information is received timely by NSLDS, regardless of whether an intermediate party is used. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Actions See corrective action plan

Corrective Action Plan

Finding ? Special Tests and Provisions: Enrollment Reporting ? Federal Direct Student Loan Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.268; June 30, 2022 Award Year; U.S. Department of Education Criteria or Specific Requirement Enrollment information, including the effective date of separation from the institution, must be accurately reported within 30 days whenever attendance changes for a student, unless a roster will be submitted within 60 days. The changes include reductions or increases in attendance levels, withdrawals, graduations, and approved leaves-of absence. It is the institution?s responsibility, as a participant in the Title IV aid programs, to monitor and report these changes to the National Student Loan Data System (?NSLDS?). (NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide September 2021, and 34 CFR 685.309(b)) Condition Of the 40 students selected for enrollment reporting testing, three students within the sample were reported to NSLDS outside the maximum 60-day window. This was not a statistically valid sample. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions The University concurs with the finding. The University will continue to remain vigilant in its oversight over timely communication of enrollment reporting detail to NSC and from NSC to NSLDS. Names of Contact Persons Responsible for Corrective Action: Joan Romano, Registrar and Anne-Marie Caruso, Assistant Vice President/Director of Financial Aid Anticipated Completion Date: October 24, 2022

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 52384 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 52385 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 628825 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 628826 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 628827 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan Program $26.01M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $4.79M
84.425 Covid-19 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Student Portion $4.77M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $2.44M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $510,059
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (fseog) Program $304,269
17.268 H-1b Job Training Grants $124,128
93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Speed Spin Testing $117,807
47.076 Urban Massachusetts Lsamp $11,781