| DCLPublicationDate: 8/1/96 ANN-96-3 SUMMARY: This letter announces and describes a training series on EDExpress, and lists the sites and dates for the workshops. Dear Colleague: We are pleased to announce a series of workshops sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education's Student Financial Assistance Programs. This technical training series on GETTING STARTED IN EDEXPRESS will take place between September and December in the U.S. Department of Education's Regional Training Facilities. EDE, the Department's Electronic Data Exchange, is the service that allows schools to electronically send and receive application data from the Central Processing System (CPS). EDExpress is the software developed for schools to manage that applicant data, and also contains modules for Direct Loans, packaging, and Pell payment processing. This training will provide an overview of each module, with particular emphasis on application processing and packaging. The Direct Loan module will not be covered in this training, since the Department offers separate Direct Loan training that provides intensive instruction on the Direct Loan module. These two day workshops are intended for financial aid personnel with day-to-day responsibility for electronic application processing and other electronic functions. The training is "hands-on" computer training, with a curriculum that includes exercises and activities designed to increase trainees' skill and comfort level with the software. A third day of intensive training on the packaging module will be offered once in each Regional Training Facility. Trainees can register for either the two day basic workshop or the three day workshop, using the enclosed form. These workshops are open to any interested school. The agenda for the workshops is as follows: DAY ONE: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Getting Started in EDExpress (EDE overview, setup, application entry, ISIR processing and exercises) DAY TWO: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Pell Payment module 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Packaging overview DAY THREE: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Detailed packaging (developing query system; setting up academic years, budgets, funds, and award methodologies; importing ISIRs and exercises) The training will be held in the Department of Education's Regional Training Facilities, as indicated in the enclosed training schedule. Since this is computer training, the size of the classes is limited, and registration is absolutely required. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and, due to limited space, participation by any one institution is limited to four persons. Registration will be confirmed. This training is offered free of charge, although participants should arrange and pay for their own transportation, meals and lodging. If you have any questions about the training please call one of the contact persons listed on the enclosed schedule. On behalf of the Student Financial Assistance Programs, we look forward to your participation in this training series. Sincerely, Elizabeth M. Hicks Deputy Assistant Secretary for Student Financial Assistance Enclosures* *[Schedule and Registration forms are currently not available for viewing on the BBS, but may be requested by contacting the Student Financial Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.] |