Note
On Oct. 13, 2023, we updated the COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b posting to replace the “XML Common Record 5.0b in XML Code” file attachment. The file was replaced to correct an error. Specifically, in the Program CIP Code tag on line 699, the minOccurs="0" was incorrectly removed. With this update, the minimum value occurrence of 0 has been restored. We also added this change to the Common Record Change Log document.
In spring 2024, we plan to implement Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System functionality that will support the processing of Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) awards for the 2024–25 award year. In conjunction with this implementation, we will begin using a new version of the COD Common Record Extensible Markup Language (XML) Schema. The new schema version is 5.0b.
Effective upon completion of the spring 2024 COD System implementation—
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All 2024–25 Common Record documents must be sent using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b. All 2024–25 Common Record responses will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b.
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Unsolicited system-generated responses for all award years will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b.
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COD Web Activity responses for all award years will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b.
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All available school reports, including data requests, will continue to be sent in formats other than XML.
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We will continue to fully validate all Common Record files against the published COD Common Record XML Schema.
COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b
The COD Common Record XML Schema is being updated to support upcoming COD System changes and aligns with FSA system-wide changes because of the FAFSA Simplification Act. In summary—
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Several tags will be removed. Most of the deleted tags are defined as “For Future Use” and we have determined they are no longer necessary.
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One new tag, <Suffix>, will be added to the person block (for both the student and borrower).
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Two new tags, <IASG Eligible> and <CFH Eligible>, will be added to the award response block.
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One tag, <EnrollmentIntensity>, will be added to the disbursement block for Federal Pell Grant awards.
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The max length of several tags will change; some will be expanded to accommodate an increased number of characters and two tags will be reduced to a smaller number of characters.
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<CIPCode> tag will be changed to allow for up to three occurrences per disbursement; only one will be required.
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“CPS” references will be updated to “FPS” in four tags.
We will provide more detailed information about the valid values and business rules for these tags and other planned 2024–25 COD System changes in forthcoming Electronic Announcements and technical documentation planned for late 2023 and early 2024.
All incorporated changes are outlined in the attachment titled “Common Record Change Log.” It is important that a school or third-party software provider carefully review the COD Common Record XML Schema changes, including the new tags and valid values, in conjunction with the Common Record Layout. When planning the update to COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b, a school or third-party software provider should consider the following impact areas:
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Common Record Documents
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Unsolicited System-Generated Responses
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COD Web Activity Responses
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School Reports and Data Requests
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Full COD Schema Validation
Note to EDExpress Users: We plan to post EDExpress for Windows 2024–25, Release 2.0 in spring 2024. This release will incorporate schema version 5.0b for 2024–25 records.
Information about each of the impact areas follows below.
Common Record Documents
All 2024–25 Common Record documents must be sent using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b. All 2024–25 Common Record responses will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b.
Unsolicited System-Generated Responses
Unsolicited system-generated responses for all award years will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b.
A full list of unsolicited system-generated responses is in Volume 2, Section 2 of the COD Technical Reference.
COD Web Activity Responses (CRWB)
Like unsolicited system-generated responses, COD Web Activity responses for all award years will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b.
If a school is unable to import COD Web Activity responses, it has two options:
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Submit new records or update existing records for an impacted award year via batch processing. These records will be acknowledged by the COD System using the schema version used by the school for Common Record documents.
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Change its “Web Activity Response Option” for each applicable program/award year so that it will not receive COD Web Activity responses. The school will make these changes on the COD website’s School Options Information screen. To change the “Web Activity Response Option” from “Y” to “N”:
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Click on the School link on the COD website’s main menu bar, then click on School Information, and then click on Options. The School Options Information screen will open.
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After selecting the applicable program and the applicable award year, scroll to the Program Relations Information section and change “Web Activity Response Option” from “Y” to “N.”
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Click on Update.
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School Reports and Data Requests
All available school reports, including data requests, will continue to be sent in formats other than XML.
Full COD Schema Validation
We will continue to fully validate all Common Record batches against the published COD Common Record XML Schema. This means that if a school submits a Common Record that does not conform to the published schema format, all student, award, and disbursement information within the batch will not be processed by the COD System.
To help schools and software providers identify XML errors, we continue to send COD System edits as follows:
COD Reject Edit 210 – This reject edit will be returned for batches that fail XML validation. The reject edit will be returned at the document level and will indicate that a batch contains invalid XML. The student, award, and disbursement information within the batch will not be processed.
Schema Files and 2024–25 COD Technical Reference Information
A file that schools and third-party software providers can use to prepare for using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0b is attached to this announcement. A change log that identifies the changes made to the current version of the COD Common Record XML Schema is also attached. In addition, information about the COD Common Record XML Schema will be included in the initial posting of the 2024–25 COD Technical Reference (planned for November 2023).
Contact Information
If you have questions, contact the FSA Partner and School Relations Center at 1-800-848-0978. You may also email CODSupport@ed.gov.
Attachments
*The Department of Education strives to make all content accessible to everyone. While this document does not currently meet the standards of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Federal Student Aid is working to create an accessible version. If you need access to this document before the accessible version is available, please contact the Information Technology Accessibility Program Help Desk at ITAPSupport@ed.gov to help facilitate.