Finding 610002 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-11-14
Audit: 31830
Organization: Suffolk University (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Four students had incorrect withdrawal dates reported to NSLDS, using the form completion date instead of the actual withdrawal date.
  • Impacted Requirements: Enrollment changes must be reported within 30 days, or 60 days if a roster is submitted, including accurate effective dates for withdrawals.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Provide training for staff on reporting requirements and implement an additional review process to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Finding ? Special Tests and Provisions: Enrollment Reporting ? Federal Direct Student Loans, Assistance Listing #84.268; June 30, 2022 Award Year; U.S. Department of Education Criteria or Specific Requirement Enrollment information, including the effective date of separation from the University, must be accurately reported within 30 days whenever attendance changes for a student, unless a roster will be submitted within 60 days. The changes include reductions or increases in attendance levels, withdrawals, graduations, and approved leaves of absence. It is the University?s responsibility, as a participant in the Title IV aid programs, to monitor and report these changes to the National Student Loan Data System (?NSLDS?). For withdrawn students, the effective date for reporting is the student?s last date of attendance. (NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide November 2019, and 34 CFR 685.309(b)). Condition Found Four students out of a sample of forty who withdrew from the University had the wrong effective date reported to NSLDS. In these instances, the effective date that was reported to NSLDS was the date that the form was completed rather than the date the student notified the institution of their intent to withdraw which is the required date. We also noted two additional students had changes reported outside the 60 day requirement. Questioned Costs None. Cause On the submission, the date of withdrawal was listed as the date received by management as opposed to the effective date of the leave of absence. Identification as a Repeat Finding Not a repeat finding. Recommendation Management should consider additional education opportunities for employees to ensure they have a proper understanding of the reporting requirements. Additionally, Management should consider adding an additional level of review to ensure that reporting requirements are met. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Actions See Corrective Action Plan.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 33559 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 33560 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 610001 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Loan Program $73.15M
84.425 Covid-19 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III - Institutional Portion $6.55M
84.425 Covid-19 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III - Student Portion $6.36M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $5.76M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $4.20M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $987,512
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $740,436
14.418 Private Enforcement Initiatives $397,058
84.047 Upward Bound $325,684
84.047 Veterans Upward Bound $271,758
84.217 McNaire Post-Baccalaureate Achievement $227,499
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $200,044
14.416 Education and Outreach Initiatives $99,973
93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs $95,561
47.050 Geosciences $52,858
47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences $44,696
93.242 Mental Health Research Grants $35,642
43.001 Science $16,113
47.074 Biological Sciences $14,446
16.560 National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants $12,932
43.003 Exploration $2,082