Publication Date: March 30, 2012
| DCL ID: | GEN-12-06 |
Subject: NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Process
Summary: This letter provides information regarding enhancements that will be made to the NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Process. It also includes important reminders about school NSLDS Enrollment Reporting responsibilities.
Dear Colleague:
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (HEA) charges the Department with the creation and maintenance of the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). One of the important functions of NSLDS is to maintain the enrollment status of Title IV student aid recipients. The accuracy of enrollment reporting by schools is critical for many reasons, including ensuring that the obligations and benefits that the HEA provides for Title IV student loan recipients are respected. NSLDS enrollment information is also used by the Department for a variety of other purposes, including tracking interest subsidy payments, budget allocations, and the evaluation of the Title IV programs.
Recently, the Department conducted an analysis of NSLDS enrollment data to evaluate the accuracy of reported enrollment statuses. NSLDS information, as reported by, or on behalf of schools, was compared to corresponding information received by the Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The results of this analysis showed that in a significant number of instances, the enrollment status reported to NSLDS by schools was inaccurate, especially with regard to graduation status. In fact, for many students the reporting of enrollment status to NSLDS was incorrect to the degree that it failed to trigger the proper repayment status for the student. This means that loans for some students that should have been placed in a grace or repayment status were not; and in other cases loans were moved to grace or repayment when they should not have.
These findings demonstrate that improving the enrollment reporting process in NSLDS will help ensure compliance with the statutorily required federal student loan repayment requirements. It also helps ensure that the Department can properly manage and oversee the performance and effectiveness of the Title IV student aid programs.
The attachment to this letter provides schools with important reminders about their Enrollment Reporting responsibilities. It also informs schools of certain modifications and enhancements to NSLDS Enrollment Reporting that the Department will be implementing over the next several months.
If you have any questions on the information provided in this letter, please contact NSLDS Customer Service at 1-800-999-8219.
Thank you for your continued cooperation in ensuring that NSLDS includes the most useful and accurate information possible.
Sincerely,
Jeff Baker, Director
Policy Liaison & Implementation
Federal Student Aid
US Department of Education