Core Issue: The University did not report enrollment status changes for 5 out of 60 students on time, violating federal requirements.
Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 685.309 regarding timely enrollment reporting for the Direct Loan Program.
Recommended Follow-Up: Improve controls over data entry and implement a monitoring system to ensure timely reporting of enrollment status changes.
Finding Text
Finding 2022-001 Enrollment Reporting Major Program: Student Financial Aid Cluster Type of finding: Material Weakness and Compliance Questioned Cost: $0 Criteria 34 CFR 685.309 sets forth the criteria for administrative and fiscal control and fund accounting requirements for schools participating in the Direct Loan Program in regard to enrollment reporting requirements. Condition For 5 out of 60 students selected for testing, the University failed to report the change in the student?s enrollment status to the National Student Loan Data System (?NSLDS?) within a timely manner. Cause The University reported the student?s last day of recorded attendance as opposed to the University?s date of determination of the change in the student?s enrollment status. Effect The errors in reporting resulted in reporting dates outside of the required reporting timeframe or other information to be reported incorrectly. Recommendation We recommend the financial aid and registrar?s offices review controls over information being entered into the system for dates and other academic information that is required to be reported to ensure that status changes and other academic information are certified within the required timeframe. We also recommend that a monitoring system be put into place to track status changes and reporting of those status changes that can be monitored by financial aid or the registrar?s office.