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 2022-2023
Criteria or Specific Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Enrollment Reporting
Condition: Federal regulations provide that the University is responsible for notifying the National Student Loan Data System (“NSLDS”) of changes in enrollment within 30 days or on an Enrollment Reporting roster file within 60 days. The University’s internal control system did not prevent certain late or missed changes requiring reporting.
Questioned Costs: None
Context: Out of a population of 285 student enrollment status changes requiring NSLDS notification, a sample of 35 student enrollment changes were selected for testing. 33 of the status changes had deviations from reporting requirements. Our sample was not and was not intended to be statistically valid.
Effect: The University may not be able to timely detect when students are not being included within the Enrollment Reporting roster file which could result in the NSLDS not being properly notified of student enrollment changes for Direct Loan and Pell recipients in accordance with federal regulations.
Cause: During fiscal year 2023, 32 of the 33 exceptions related to graduates or withdrawn students where the status change was reported to the University’s third-party servicer within the 60 day period but was not reported by the third party servicer to NSLDS within the 60 day period. The remaining other exception related to a student with an improper effective date reported to NSLDS.
Identification as a Repeat Finding, if Applicable: Not Applicable
Recommendation: We recommend the University evaluate controls around monitoring enrollment reporting to determine changes, either on the electronic processes or review processes that should be made to properly capture enrollment status changes on a timely basis and to properly monitor its third-party service provider for timely reporting as necessary.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management concurs with the finding and recommendation. See further information on the corrective action plan provided by management.