ANN-03-01

SUMMARY: This letter announces training for EDExpress Application Processing 2003-04.

Dear Partner:

FSA University invites you to attend EDExpress Application Processing training. This workshop will help you use EDExpress more effectively, manage application data with related web tools, and improve program integrity at your school.

Each session includes some lecture, with an emphasis on software demonstration and learning activities that simulate the annual cycle of applying for, awarding, and disbursing federal student aid. Computer-based exercises are designed to help participants understand and apply their learning to the financial aid process.

Who should attend?

The workshop is an intermediate-level program for users who have a basic understanding of student aid regulations and the Central Processing System, and who also have prior experience using EDExpress to process applications and ISIRs.

What will the workshops cover?

EDExpress Application Processing covers changes and enhancements to the 2003-04 software, and provides tools for processing and managing application data. Topics include:

• Document tracking and user-defined data fields
• Benefits and considerations for various application entry methods: FAFSA On The Web, Renewal On The Web, and FAA Access to CPS Online
• The import process and resulting edit and report information
• Using EDExpress tools such as Document Tracking to locate and analyze problem data records
• Developing letters and using e-mail addresses for notification
• Resolving data problems using various correction tools provided by EDExpress, FAA Access to CPS Online, and Corrections on the Web
• Discussion of individual school packaging philosophies and use of EDExpress Packaging to implement these methodologies
• Creating and viewing a custom export file format

When, where and how long are the workshops

We will offer 35 workshops nationwide from January through March 2003 at Department of Education Regional Training Facilities and selected school locations.

Each session lasts one day, and will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.

How do I register?

Each workshop is limited in size so registration is first-come, first-served. If you register and then are unable to attend, please cancel so that someone else may take your place. If FSA University changes or cancels a workshop, we'll notify you by e-mail.

If you are a first-time user of our registration system, we suggest you take a few minutes to review instructions on using the system. Instructions are available on the FSA University home page, as well as on the login page and at other points within the system. You may view the automated Registration Demo or read "Instructions on how to register," which offers written instructions illustrated with screen shots.

Cancellation policy: A workshop may be cancelled five business days prior to the workshop date if fewer than 10 people are registered at a school location, or if fewer than five people are registered at an RTF. You will be notified by email if a workshop is cancelled.

For information about our current training and registration instructions, go to http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/sfau. If you are ready to register for Application Processing training, click here http://SFA.jamcracker.com to go directly to the sign-in page.

If you need help with the registration process, call (202) 377-3941 or e-mail mailto: FSAInternetregistration@ed.gov.

Thank you for your interest in Federal Student Aid and in FSA University training. We look forward to your participation in our workshops and hope you will find them useful.

Sincerely,

Anne Teresa, Director
FSA University

Posted January 10, 2003 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Please submit Web Site questions or comments to web@nasfaa.org