Finding 544337 (2024-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-31
Audit: 350931
Organization: Dominican University (IL)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report student status changes to the NSLDS within the required 60-day timeframe.
  • Impacted Requirements: Enrollment reporting under federal programs mandates timely updates for changes in student status, affecting compliance with Pell Grant and Direct Loan programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop and implement new procedures to ensure all enrollment changes are reported on time, and conduct regular internal checks to verify accuracy.

Finding Text

Enrollment Reporting Federal Program – U.S. Department of Education (ED), Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Federal Pell Grant Program, CFDA 84.063; Federal Direct Student Loan Program, CFDA 84.268. Program Year – July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Under the Pell grant and loan programs, colleges must complete and return within 15 days the Enrollment Reporting roster file. Once received, the institution must update for changes in the data elements for the Campus Record and the Program Record identified above, and submit the changes electronically through the batch method, spreadsheet submittal, or the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website. Colleges are responsible for timely reporting, whether they report directly or via a third-party servicer. When a Direct Loan was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution, and the student ceased to be enrolled on at least a halftime basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended; or a student who is enrolled at the institution and who received a loan under Title IV has changed his or her permanent address, the institution must report the change in its next updated Enrollment Reporting Roster file (due within 60 days of the change). Condition – Notification of the student status change (graduated, withdrew, less than half-time) did not reach the NSLDS within the required time frame. Questions Costs – None. Context – Out of a sample of 25 students from a population of 442 students receiving Pell grants or loans and which had a change in status during the year, NSLDS was not provided timely notification for 11 of the student status changes reported and tested. Our sampling method was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Effect – Student status changes exceeded the 60-day period for student enrollment changes reported in roster files. Cause – The University did not consistently report enrollment changes within 60 days. Identification as a Repeat Finding – Not a repeat finding. Recommendation – We recommend the University develop and implement procedures to help ensure all student status changes and errors in enrollment reporting batch process are reported within the required timeframes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – Concur. The University will review and update current procedures to ensure timely processing and monitoring of NSLDS reports. Internal reports will be run simultaneously to make sure all students are captured and their status is correctly reported.

Corrective Action Plan

Reporting – The University will review and update current procedures to ensure timely processing and monitoring of NSLDS reports. Internal reports will be run simultaneously to make sure all students are captured and their status is correctly reported. Anticipated Completion Date - September 30, 2024; Responsible Contact Person for Planned Corrective Action - Tina Baskin, Executive Director of Financial Aid & Enrollment Services

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 544338 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1120779 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1120780 2024-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $21.95M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $7.12M
11.028 Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program $1.31M
84.031 Higher Education - Institutional Aid Title III Stem His $834,134
84.031 Higher Education - Institutional Aid Title V, Part A2 $823,657
93.925 Scholarships for Health Professions Students From Disadvantaged Backgrounds $674,990
84.031 Higher Education - Institutional Aid Title V, Part B $528,746
93.732 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training $488,742
84.031 Higher Education - Institutional Aid Title V, Part A3 Avanzamos $424,102
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $350,000
84.042 Trio - Student Support Services $276,503
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Oppportunity Grants $253,695
47.076 Biological Sciences - Stem Hsi - Building Capacity: the Du Stem Success Support Students Through Critical Transitions $253,210
84.120 Higher Education - Institutional Aid Minority Science & Engineering Improvement Program $143,765
47.076 Biological Sciences - Nnaum Collaboration with Csu $112,959
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking on Campus $105,719
47.076 Biological Sciences - S-Stem- Positive Science Identity Scholars Project $99,804
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $51,869
10.223 Nifa - Grow $39,553
47.076 Biological Sciences -Lsamp $26,030
45.162 Promotion of the Humanities Teaching and Learning Resources and Curriculum Development $16,118