Finding 8768 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-01-17
Audit: 12036
Organization: Lamar State College Orange (TX)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College did not report enrollment status changes for 4 out of 40 students to NSLDS on time.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 34 CFR 685.309, which mandates timely enrollment reporting for the Direct Loan Program.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance controls in the financial aid and registrar’s offices to ensure accurate and timely reporting of enrollment changes.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-001: Enrollment Reporting (Reporting to NSLDS) Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance and Compliance Major Program: Student Financial Aid Cluster Type of finding: Significant Deficiency 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 4 out of 40 students selected for testing, the College 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 College’s reports used to identify students with changes in enrollment statuses failed to pick up students who had registration or transcript holds. 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 continue to 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 further monitoring by the financial aid or the registrar’s office of the system used to track status changes and reporting of those status changes. Status See the Corrective Action Plan noted as the College’s response to finding 2023-001.

Corrective Action Plan

Lamar State College Orange Response and Corrective Action Plan to FY 23 Federal Financial Aid Audit Finding 2023-001 Enrollment Reporting Views of Responsible Officials The College agrees with the auditor's findings and recommendations. Corrective Action Plan The College has identified three issues that delayed identification and reporting of changes in student enrollment status for reporting on the NSLDS component. In response, the college will implement the following corrective actions: 1.The Registrar will review the error resolution reports provided by National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to ensure the correct enrollment information is being reported to NSLDS within 60 days of the determination date. Implementation Date Immediate 2.An advisor drop code will be implemented effective Spring 2024. This code will trigger an email to the Records Office, and at that point the Records Office will determine the student's enrollment status and update to withdrawn in Banner when it is determined the student has withdrawn from the semester. This will ensure the correct enrollment status is reported to NSLDS within 60 days of the determination date. Implementation Date 1/16/2024 3. LSCO will ensure a subsequent term report is submitted any time a late award is processed. This will ensure the correct enrollment status is reported to NSLDS within 60 days of the determination date. Implementation Date Immediate Individual Responsible Summer Rather, Registrar

Categories

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 585210 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $3.67M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $2.01M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $92,499
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $73,264