Finding 530090 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-25
Audit: 348132
Organization: Wheaton College (MA)
Auditor: Rsm US LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College inaccurately reported enrollment dates for students to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 668.408(a) regarding accurate reporting of initial enrollment dates for programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Conduct user acceptance testing on system upgrades to ensure accurate data reporting.

Finding Text

2024-002 U.S. Department of Education (Direct) Student Financial Assistance Cluster: Federal Direct Loan Program (84.268) and Federal Pell Grant Program (84.063) Federal Award Numbers: P268K241617 and P063P231617 Federal Award Year: 2023-2024 Finding: The College did not accurately report enrollment dates at the program level to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Criteria: Per 34 CFR 668.408(a), an institution offering a group of substantially similar programs must report to the Department of Education the initial enrollment date of a student in the program. Condition: Two students were not reported as enrolled at the program level in NSLDS and enrollment dates were inaccurately reported for six students at the program level in NSLDS. Cause: A software defect caused incomplete and inaccurate data to be generated for reporting to NSLDS. There was no review of the system generated report at the program level. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations for enrollment reporting. Questioned costs: None Prevalence: Eight of the 25 students selected randomly and tested were not reported in accordance with NSLDS program enrollment reporting. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: The College should review and perform user acceptance testing of system upgrades to ensure the updates are operating correctly. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with this finding.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 530087 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 530088 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 530089 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1106529 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1106530 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1106531 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1106532 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $8.60M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.10M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $714,345
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $311,631
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $297,445
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $133,832
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $68,560
93.242 Mental Health Research Grants $41,366
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus $19,679
43.001 Science $2,082