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: Yes ? 2021-001 Significant Deficiency & 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 provide updated enrollment reporting roster files to NSLDS within the required 15 day timeframe for 2 of the 6 enrollment roster files received in fiscal year 2022. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Of the 6 enrollment reporting roster files received by the School District, 2 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 District 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 District'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.