Finding Text
Finding 2022-001 Error in Reporting for National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Repeat Finding Yes (2021-001) Federal Program Title U.S. Department of Education; Student Financial Assistance Cluster 84.007: Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants 84.063: Federal Pell Grant Program 84.268: Federal Direct Student Loans Award Year 2021-2022 Criteria The Code of Federal Regulations (34 CFR 685.309) requires enrollment status changes for students be reported to NSLDS within 30 days or within 60 days if the student with the status change will be reported on a scheduled transmission within 60 days of the change in status. Regulations require the status include an accurate effective date. According to the NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide, a student?s Program-Level enrollment status should be reported with the same enrollment status as that student?s campus-level enrollment status for all programs the student is enrolled in at that location, even if the student is not currently taking coursework that applies to a particular program. If the student has withdrawn or graduated from an academic program, a ?terminal enrollment status? of `W? or `G,? as appropriate, should be reported for that program, even if the student is still taking coursework applicable to other programs in which the student is enrolled. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure enrollment reporting is completed properly. Condition The University did not properly report the student enrollment change for a student who received federal student aid to the NSLDS. The University did not report a student?s Program-Level or Campus-Level enrollment status change to NSLDS. Out of the 60 students tested, we noted 1 student (1.7%) whose status change at the Program-Level and Campus-Level was not reported to NSLDS. Cause The error in Program-Level and Campus-Level enrollment reporting was due to the manual process required for reporting unofficial withdrawals to NSLDS. Effect Noncompliance with federal regulations could result in the loss of future federal funding. Context We tested 60 students who received federal student aid with enrollment changes. For each student tested, management provided documentation from NSLDS showing when the student?s status changed, and when it was reported. Out of the 60 students tested, we noted 1 student (1.7%) whose status change at the Program-Level and Campus-Level was not reported to NSLDS. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs with respect to this finding. Recommendation We recommend the University review current processes for reporting to NSLDS and implement procedures to ensure submissions are reported timely and accurately. Views of responsible officials Management agrees with this finding. See corrective action plan.