Finding 966074 (2023-002)

Finding 2023-002: Special Tests and Provisions: Enrollment Reporting Program Name: Student Financial Assistance Cluster: Federal Direct Student Loans. Assistance Listing No. 84.268 Federal Pell Grant Program, Assistance Listing No. 84.063 Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Finding Type: Significant Deficiency on Internal Controls over Compliance Questioned Costs: None Criteria: Per Title 2 US Code of Federal Regulations Part 200.303a, non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In addition, the Department of Education relies on institution’s enrollments reports to determine a student’s enrollment status based on reductions or increases in attendance levels, withdrawals, graduations or approved leaves-of-absence. According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 685.309, the University is required to submit changes in student attendance to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at a minimum of every 60 days. Context/Condition: Of the 40 students selected for enrollment reporting testing, six (6) student withdrawals within the sample were reported to NSLDS outside the maximum 60-day window and two (2) student graduations within the sample were not reported to NSLDS. Cause: The University did not have effective controls in place to ensure timely reporting of all status changes. Effect: Without timely notification of withdrawals or graduation, the NSLDS is unable to accurately determine when a student enters repayment status.   Recommendation: We recommend that the University review and update internal controls to ensure student enrollment status in the NSLDS is updated in a timely manner to ensure compliance with Federal requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. See accompanying Corrective Action Plan.