Finding 544082 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-31
Audit: 350883
Organization: Bridgewater College (VA)
Auditor: Brown Edwards

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report student enrollment data to the National Student Clearinghouse on time.
  • Impacted Requirements: Timely reporting is required when a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time, as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to ensure timely updates of student enrollment statuses to the NSLDS.

Finding Text

2024-001 Enrollment Reporting (Significant Deficiency) Department of Education, Student Financial Aid Cluster, Special Tests and Provisions Condition: The College did not report student enrollment data to the National Student Clearinghouse within the minimum required timeframe. Criteria: Unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, a school must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the school discovers that a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the school, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended (34 CFR 685.309(b)(2)(i)). Cause: The College does not have adequate procedures in place to ensure students’ enrollment statuses are updated on NSLDS timely. Effect: Enrollment data was not reported timely or accurately to the Department of Education thus, the Department could not properly service the students’ loans. The accuracy of the Title IV student loan records depends heavily on the accuracy of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Context: From a population of 42 students that withdrew officially during a term, we tested 5 students and noted that all 5 were not reported timely. Recommendation: We recommend that the College put procedures in place to ensure that any changes in student enrollments are properly tracked and updated to the NSLDS. Management Response: When the Registrar’s Office is notified of a student’s withdrawal (official or unofficial), within 24 hours the student’s record in the National Student Clearinghouse will be manually flagged as withdrawn with their last date of attendance.

Corrective Action Plan

2024-001 Enrollment Reporting (Significant Deficiency), Department of Education, Student Financial Aid Cluster, Special Tests and Provisions Condition: The College did not report student enrollment data to the National Student Clearinghouse within the minimum required timeframe. Criteria: Unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, a school must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the school discovers that a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the school, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended (34 CFR 685.309(b)(2)(i)). Cause: The College does not have adequate procedures in place to ensure students’ enrollment statuses are updated on NSLDS timely. Effect: Enrollment data was not reported timely or accurately to the Department of Education thus, the Department could not properly service the students’ loans. The accuracy of the Title IV student loan records depends heavily on the accuracy of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Context: From a population of 42 students that withdrew officially during a term, we tested 5 students and noted that all 5 were not reported timely. Recommendation: We recommend that the College put procedures in place to ensure that any changes in student enrollments are properly tracked and updated to the NSLDS. Management Response: When the Registrar’s Office is notified of a student’s withdrawal (official or unofficial), within 24 hours the student’s record in the National Student Clearinghouse will be manually flagged as withdrawn with their last date of attendance. Party responsible: Sherry A. Phelps Office phone: 540-828-5313 Email address: sphelps2@bridgewater.edu Expected date of correction: This problem was corrected on 6/27/2024 when it was brought to my attention and since that date the required information has been correctly reported directly into the National Student Clearinghouse within 24 hours of the date of determination of a student’s withdraw from the college.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1120524 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $8.84M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.23M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $263,689
84.184 School Safely National Activities $143,804
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $129,904
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $22,632