Howard Community College

U.S. Department of Education 2025-005: Special Tests and Provisions – NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268 Condition: Enrollment status changes were either not reported to NSLDS within 60 days 2025 – 005: Special Tests and Provisions – NSLDS Enrollment & Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Aid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268 Federal Award Identification Number: P063P233052, P063P243052, P268K243052, P268K253052 Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Internal Control – Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a 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). 2025 – 005: Special Tests and Provisions – NSLDS Enrollment & Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Aid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268 Federal Award Identification Number: P063P233052, P063P243052, P268K243052, P268K253052 Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Internal Control – Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a 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). Compliance – The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.309(b), states that: Institutions must have some arrangement to report student enrollment data to NSLDS through an enrollment roster file. The institution is required to report changes in the enrollment status, the effective date of the status, and an anticipated completion date. Also, the Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 682.610, states that institutions must report accurately the enrollment status of all students regardless of if they receive aid from the institution or not. Condition: Enrollment status changes were either not reported to NSLDS within 60 days or did not match the College’s records for a portion of the sampled students. Questioned Costs: None Context: In our statistically valid sample of 60 students, we found 16 cases where enrollment status changes were not reported to NSLDS within 60 days, and 4 cases where the students’ status changes did not match between the College’s records and NSLDS. Cause: The College's internal controls did not identify the errors in compliance with the criteria mentioned above. Effect: Student enrollment status was not reported accurately and/or timely to NSLDS. Repeat Finding: Yes Recommendation: The institution should evaluate their procedures and policies related to reporting status changes and effective dates to NSLDS and enhance as deemed necessary to ensure that accurate information is reported to NSLDS. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

U.S. Department of Education 2025-005: Special Tests and Provisions - NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Student Financial Aid Cluster -Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268 Condition: Enrollment status changes were either not reported to NSLDS within 60 days or did not match the College's records for a portion of the sampled students. Recommendation: The institution should evaluate their procedures and policies related to reporting status changes and effective dates to NSLDS and enhance as deemed necessary to ensure that accurate information is reported to NSLDS. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding : There is no disagreement with the audit finding. The Institution acknowledges that while reporting was completed within a timely manner by HCC, NSC did not update within the time allotted to be compliant. HCC remains committed to continuous improvement and compliance. Action taken in response to finding: As noted in the prior year's response, the College committed to full implementation of corrective actions by June 30, 2026, aligned with the conclusion of the 2025-2026 academic year. The institution is currently and actively working on the corrective action plan previously submitted. Actions underway or in progress include: Formal clarification of interdepartmental roles and responsibilities, establishing the Records, Registration and Veteran's Affairs (RRVA) as the primary enrollment reporting authority, with defined review and compliance support from Financial Aid Services. Enhanced reconciliation and quality control procedures, including routine cross-checks between RRVA and Financial Aid Services records prior to each enrollment reporting submission. Standardized review protocols for program-level enrollment changes, including graduates, withdrawals, and subsequent reenrollments in different academic programs. Ongoing monitoring and documentation of NSC errors and warning reports, with timely resolution and escalation when discrepancies appear to originate outside of the College's student information systems. Targeted training for RRVA and Financial Aid staff on enrollment reporting regulations, NSLDS requirements, and audit-risk mitigation. The College believes these actions, coupled with existing reporting practices, sufficiently address the concerns raised and will further strengthen enrollment reporting accuracy and documentation. Full implementation of the corrective action plan remains on schedule for completion by June 30, 2026, as originally committed. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Detra Hooper, Financial Aid Director and Jessica Peterson, Registrar Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2026 If the U.S. Department of Education has questions regarding this plan, please call Detra Hooper, Financial Aid Servies Director at 443-518-4776.

2024-005

2024 – 002: Special Tests and Provisions – NSLDS Enrollment & Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Aid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268 Federal Award Identification Number: P063P233052, P063P223052, P268K243052, P268K233052 Award Period: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Internal Control – Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a 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). Compliance – The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.309(b), states that: Institutions must have some arrangement to report student enrollment data to NSLDS through an enrollment roster file. The institution is required to report changes in the enrollment status, the effective date of the status, and an anticipated completion date. Also, the Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 682.610, states that institutions must report accurately the enrollment status of all students regardless of if they receive aid from the institution or not. Condition: During testing of the enrollment status reporting, we noted that the incorrect enrollment status and effective date was reported in NSLDS. Questioned Costs: None Context: • The enrollment status was incorrectly reported for 6 out of 40 students. • The enrollment effective date was incorrectly reported for 4 out of 40 students. Cause: These errors are a result of issues with the student information system. Effect: Student enrollment status was not reported accurately and/or timely to NSLDS. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: The institution should evaluate their procedures and policies related to reporting status changes and effective dates to NSLDS and enhance as deemed necessary to ensure that accurate information is reported to NSLDS. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

2024‐002: Special Tests and Provisions – NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268 Condition: During testing of the enrollment status reporting, we noted that the incorrect enrollment status and effective date was included in NSLDS. Recommendation: The institution should evaluate their procedures and policies related to reporting status changes and effective dates to NSLDS and enhance as deemed necessary to ensure that accurate information is reported to NSLDS. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Howard Community College will work with Records, Registration and Veterans Affairs (RRVA) to conduct a thorough review of the current policies and procedures for reporting student enrollment status changes and effective dates to NSLDS and then subsequently implement process improvements to ensure that our process aligns with federal regulations. Name(s)  of  the  contact  person(s)  responsible  for  corrective  action:  Jessica  Peterson,  Registrar Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2026

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Aid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268, 84.007, 84.033 Federal Award Identification Number: P063P233052, P063P223052, P268K243052, P268K233052, P007A231754, P007A221754, P033A231754 Award Period: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Internal Control – Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a 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). Compliance – The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Public Law 106-102) requires financial institutions to explain their information-sharing practices to their customers and to safeguard sensitive data. (16 CFR 314) The Federal Trade Commission considers Title IV-eligible institutions that participate in Title IV Educational Assistance Programs as “financial institutions” and subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (16 CFR 313.3(k)(2)(vi). Institutions are required to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program that is written in one or more readily accessible parts. The regulations require the written information security program to include nine elements for institutions with 5,000 or more customers, (16 CFR 314.3(a)). The elements that an institution must address in its written information security program are at 16 CFR 314.4. Condition: Certain elements of the College’s information security program were not maintained in written form. Questioned Costs: None Context: The College’s written information security program did not cover the following requirements as of the required deadline in June 2024: - Assess apps developed by the institution - Implement multi-factor authentication for anyone accessing customer information on the institution’s system - Dispose of customer information securely - Anticipate and evaluate changes to the information system or network. - Maintain a log of authorized users’ activity and keep an eye out for unauthorized access. - Provides for the institution to regularly test or otherwise monitor the effectiveness of the safeguards it has implemented (16 CFR 314.4(d)). - Provides for the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure that personnel are able to enact the information security program (16 CFR 314.4(e)(1)). - Provides for the evaluation and adjustment of its information security program in light of the results of the required testing and monitoring; any material changes to its operations or business arrangements; the results of the required risk assessments; or any other circumstances that it knows or has reason to know may have a material impact the institution’s information security program (16 CFR 314.4(g)). Cause: These deficiencies were primarily due to insufficient resources and oversight dedicated to the development and maintenance of the written information security program. Effect: Information security management may not be optimized and responses delayed without the written plan. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the College ensure its written information security program addresses the required minimum elements as outlined in 16 CFR 314.4. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

2024‐003: Special Tests and Provisions – Gramm‐Leach‐Bliley Act Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268, 84.007, 84.033 Condition: Certain elements of the College’s information security program were not maintained in written form. Recommendation:  We  recommend  the  College  ensure  its  written  information  security  program addresses the required minimum elements as outlined in 16 CFR 314.4. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action  taken  in  response  to  finding:  Howard  Community  College  will  work  with  the  Administrative Information Systems (AIS) department to conduct a thorough review of the written information security program to ensure the necessary elements are included and meeting the minimum requirements as outlined in 16 CFR 314.4. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Tyria Stone, Executive Vice President, Finance & Administration

2024 – 005: Population for Return of Title IV Funds Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Aid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268, 84.007, 84.033 Federal Award Identification Number: P063P233052, P063P223052, P268K243052, P268K233052, P007A231754, P007A221754, P033A231754 Award Period: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Internal Control – Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a 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). Condition: The College was unable to provide the required population for the students that withdrew during the fiscal year in a timely manner. Questioned Costs: None Context: The College does not have a process in place to identify students who have withdrawn and received Title IV funds. Cause: Currently, the collection of this information is a very manual process that caused the delay. Effect: The College’s single audit may be delayed. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: It is recommended that the College strengthens its internal controls and improves coordination among departments to ensure timely submission of required data for the Return of Funds. This may include implementing a more robust tracking system, providing additional training to staff, and establishing clear deadlines and responsibilities for data submission. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

2024 – 005: Population for Return of Title IV Funds Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268, 84.007, 84.033 Condition: The College was unable to provide the required population for the students that withdrew during the fiscal year in a timely manner. Recommendation: It is recommended that the College strengthens its internal controls and improves coordination among departments to ensure timely submission of required data for the Return of Funds. This may include implementing a more robust tracking system, providing additional training to staff, and establishing clear deadlines and responsibilities for data submission. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Financial Aid Services will work with the Administration Information Systems department along with other stakeholders to strengthen its internal controls and improve communication. Additionally, Howard Community College will work with AIS to develop and implement a more robust system to track and review the data required to complete the Return of Funds process. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Detra Hooper, Financial Aid Services Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2026 If the U.S. Department of Education has questions regarding this plan, please call Detra Hooper, Financial Aid Services Director at 443‐518‐4776.