Finding 526743 (2024-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-12
Audit: 345743
Organization: Northeastern State University (OK)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The published program length for certain Master's programs was incorrectly reported to NSLDS, not aligning with the institution's defined completion time.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates enrollment reporting standards outlined in 34 CFR 668.41(a).
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University needs to enhance controls to ensure accurate reporting of program lengths to NSLDS.

Finding Text

Student Financial Assistance Cluster Federal Pell Grants, ALN 84.063 Federal Direct Student Loans, ALN 84.268 U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2023 - 2024 Criteria or Specific Requirement - Special Tests: Enrollment Reporting 34 CFR 668.41(a) Condition - Published program length was not reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) based on the definition of "normal time" to completion according to the regulations at 34 CFR 668.41(a). Questioned costs - None Context - Out of a population of 5,277 status changes of students receiving Pell Grants and/or Direct Student Loans, a sample of 25 students with status changes were selected for testing. Our sample was not, and was not intended to be statistically valid. For five of the students tested, the published program length reported to NSLDS did not agree to the program length based on the institution's determination of how long, in years, the program is designed for a full-time student to complete. Effect - Incorrect program-level record data was reported to NSLDS. Cause - The published program length for a Masters credential level was reported as 2.5 years regardless of the program length as determined by the institution for how long, in years, the program is designed for a full-time student to complete. Identification as a repeat finding - N/A Recommendation - The University should review and update controls in place to ensure proper reporting of published program length to NSLDS.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 526736 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 526737 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 526738 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 526739 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 526740 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 526741 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 526742 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 526744 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103178 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103179 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103180 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103181 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103182 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103183 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103184 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103185 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1103186 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $28.30M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $13.05M
11.028 Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program $2.10M
84.044 Trio Talent Search $796,792
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $558,027
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $409,697
84.382 Strengthening Minority-Serving Institutions $391,630
84.042 Trio Student Support Services $349,020
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $300,033
84.066 Trio Educational Opportunity Centers $238,276
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $228,384
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $194,252
84.335 Child Care Access Means Parents in School $164,102
12.630 Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering $102,899
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $91,091
47.083 Integrative Activities $71,729
84.047 Trio Upward Bound $66,572
93.788 Opioid Str $58,542
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $53,307
47.076 Stem Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) $49,330
11.611 Manufacturing Extension Partnership $42,324
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $35,767
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $35,627
84.184 School Safely National Activities $35,501
10.902 Soil and Water Conservation $32,530
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $31,012
84.325 Special Education - Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities $27,758
84.299 Indian Education -- Special Programs for Indian Children $24,019
45.162 Promotion of the Humanities Teaching and Learning Resources and Curriculum Development $23,573
17.259 Wioa Youth Activities $17,805
15.634 State Wildlife Grants $6,781
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $6,300
45.129 Promotion of the Humanities Federal/state Partnership $5,000
45.025 Promotion of the Arts Partnership Agreements $1,800
93.283 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investigations and Technical Assistance $1,203