Finding 613126 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-12-13
Audit: 35724
Organization: Webster University (MO)
Auditor: Forvis

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Eleven student enrollment status changes were not reported to the NSLDS on time or were incorrect.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations for timely and accurate reporting of enrollment status changes for Direct Student Loan and Pell Grant recipients.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Improve internal communication for reporting changes, consider IT support for better system tracking, and conduct regular self-audits to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Information on the Federal Program - Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Assistance Listing Number 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans, Assistance Listing Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program, U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2021-2022. Criteria or Specific Requirement ? Special Tests and Provisions ? Enrollment Reporting. Condition ? Eleven student enrollment status changes were not communicated to the National Student Loan Data System (?NSLDS?) on a timely basis or were reported incorrectly. Questioned costs ? None Context ? Out of a population of 1,614 student enrollment status changes requiring notification transmitted to NSLDS, a sample of 60 student enrollment status changes was selected for testing. Eleven of the status changes had deviations from reporting requirements. Our sample was not and was not intended to be statistically valid. Effect ? The NSLDS was not properly notified of student enrollment status changes of Direct Student Loan and Pell recipients in accordance with federal regulations. Cause ? Majority of the exceptions identified in the sample population were related to changes within the system not being electronically identified and reported externally to NSLDS. Identification as a repeat finding ? 2021-001, 2020-002, and 2019-001 Recommendation ? The University should determine a more timely way to identify and communicate across the necessary departments when a student's enrollment status changes. Possible outside IT assistance may be needed to properly capture student enrollment activity within the system so it gets reported with in the electronic batches going to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. We also recommend performing self-audits on a monthly or quarterly basis to verify procedures in place are effective.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 36683 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 36684 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 613125 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $41.16M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $5.29M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $3.30M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $1.57M
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $523,385
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $429,844
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $235,286
19.900 Aeeca/esf Pd Programs $101,951
93.732 Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Grants $95,934
47.076 Education and Human Resources $60,930
12.900 Language Grant Program $39,904
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus $26,155
19.902 Tashkent Award $19,331
93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research $20