Finding Text
Finding Number: 2022-001 Federal Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.063 and 84.268 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-through Entity: None Repeat Finding: No Material Weakness & Material Noncompliance ? Special Tests and Provisions - Enrollment Reporting Criteria: Federal Pell Grant Program?An institution shall submit, in accordance with deadline dates established by the secretary, through publication in the Federal Register, other reports and information the secretary requires and shall comply with the procedures the secretary finds necessary to ensure that the reports are correct (34 CFR Section 690.83(b)(2)). Federal Direct Student Loans?Changes in student status are required to be reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) within 30 days of the change or included in a updated enrollment roster report sent to the NSLDS within 60 days of the status change (34 CFR Section 685.309(b)). Updated enrollment roster reports are required to be returned to NSLDS within 15 days of receiving the enrollment roster file from the Department of Education. Condition: The School District did not report student status changes with the required timeframe for certain students selected for testing. In addition, it was noted that 6 of the 6 required enrollment roster files received from the Department of Education were not updated and returned within the 15 day timeframe required. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Of the 11 students tested for student status changes, we noted 5 updates were not made in a timely manner. Of the 6 enrollment reporting roster files received by the School District, all 6 were not updated and returned within the required timeframe. Cause and Effect: There was significant turnover in management within the financial aid department. This caused confusion regarding procedures and responsibilities within the department, including the specific timing and requirements for enrollment reporting. The School did not have procedures in place to ensure that changes in students' statuses were being monitored and reported timely to NSLDS. Without proper controls to ensure that changes in students' statuses are reported timely, there is a risk that the School's records and NSLDS' records may not match and that improper financial aid could be awarded in the future. Recommendation: The School should implement controls and processes to ensure that enrollment reporting changes are monitored and submitted in a timely manner to NSLDS. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan.