Finding 669356 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-30
Audit: 83936
Organization: Avila University (MO)
Auditor: Forvis LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report student enrollment changes to the NSLDS within the required 30-day timeframe, leading to inaccurate and late notifications.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations under 34 CFR Sections 690.83(b)(2) and 685.309 regarding timely enrollment reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement enhanced monitoring policies and procedures to ensure accurate and timely reporting of enrollment changes to prevent recurrence of this issue.

Finding Text

Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education CFDA Nos. 84.268, 84.063, Federal Direct Student Loans - Award Year 2022 Federal Pell Grant Program - Award Year 2022 Criteria or Specific Requirement ? Special Tests & Provisions: Enrollment Reporting Pell 34 CFR Section 690.83(b)(2); FDL, 34 CFR Section 685.309). Federal regulations state that enrollment information must be reported to the NSLDS website within 30 days of whenever attendance changes for students, unless a complete roster will be submitted within 60 days. These changes include reductions or increases in attendance levels, withdrawals, graduations or approved leave of absence Institutions are responsible for timely reporting, whether they report directly or via a third-party servicer. Condition ? Enrollment information was not submitted within the required timeframe by the University. Questioned Costs ? None noted. Context ? Out of a population of 234 status changes, 40 changes were tested to ensure the University notified the NSLDS of student status changes in a timely manner and using accurate information. Nineteen errors were noted, including nine instances where notification was remitted late and ten instances where notification was reported but did not agree to the University's internal supporting documentation. The sample was not, and was not intended to be, a statistically valid sample. Effect ? Notification of student changes was not reported in a timely manner or was reported inaccurately. Cause ? Oversight by management. Identification as a Repeat Finding ? Yes, see prior year findings 2021-001, 2020-002 and 2019-003. Recommendation ? The University should implement monitoring policies and procedures to ensure that notifications are remitted timely and accurately. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions ? Management has hired a new Director of Institutional Research and provided training and is aware of the federal regulations surrounding enrollment information that must be reported to the NSLDS. Given the complexity of the reporting, management has established additional policies and procedures to address the errors related to enrollment reporting to the NSLDS in a timely and accurate manner.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 92912 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 92913 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 92914 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 92915 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 669354 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 669355 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 669357 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $8.72M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.68M
84.425 Covid-19 - Education Stabilization Fund/student Aid $2.04M
84.047 Trio_upward Bound $354,795
84.031 Higher Education_institutional Aid $351,631
84.047 Trio_project Achieve $339,859
84.042 Trio_student Support Services $294,790
84.425 Covid-19 - Education Stabilization Fund/strengthening Institutions Program Application $178,239
47.076 Education and Human Resources $111,861
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $101,607
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $83,800
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus $11,871
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $11,256
93.925 Scholarships for Health Professions Students From Disadvantaged Backgrounds $4,845