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Release of 2000-2001 EDExpress Version 6.1, Target Release Date - Feb 29, 2000

PublicationDate: 2/24/2000
Summary: Release of 2000-2001 EDExpress Version 6.1, Target Release Date - Feb 29, 2000
Author: General Manager: SFA Student Channel

Posted on February 24, 2000

TO: All Destination Points
FROM: U.S. Department of Education
RE: Release of 2000-2001 EDExpress Version 6.1, Target Release
Date - Feb 29, 2000

The U.S. Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of 2000-2001 EDExpress for Windows, Version 6.1. This software version expands EDExpress to include the Direct Loan Module for the 2000-2001 award cycle as well as adding additional changes to the software.

All 2000-2001 EDExpress versions must be downloaded from the Department's SFAdownload Web site, located at http://fsadownload.ed.gov/index.htm. The 2000-2001 EDExpress Installation Guide and the Version 6.1 Cover Letter, which contain important information you should review as a software user, must also be downloaded from the SFAdownload Web site.

Note: You do NOT need to install the Version 6.0.1 Service Release before upgrading to Version 6.1. Version 6.1 will install the fixes included in the Version 6.0.1 Service Release.

Version 6.1 is available on the SFAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called EDExpress61.exe, or you can download the software in nine separate installments, which can then be copied to a network drive or diskettes. Please review the download and installation instructions contained in the Cover Letter for more detail.

Version 6.1 is an upgrade to Version 6.0. Before upgrading, ensure you have a valid, reliable back-up of your current productional 2000-2001 EDExpress database (Expres01.mdb). This is extremely important!

To upgrade from Version 6.0 to Version 6.1, select the custom install option during your standalone or workstation installation, and mark the checkbox for any modules you use (so module fixes can be installed). Do NOT mark the “Database” checkbox unless you are performing a first-time installation or want to overwrite your Version 6.0 database. Remember, if you choose to overwrite your database, all data previously entered is lost.

If you receive any prompts during the installation indicating an existing file has been found and asking if you want to overwrite, click “Yes.”

After you upgrade from Version 6.0 to 6.1, reboot your PC, then log on to EDExpress to allow the software to perform a one-time only database update. This update loads important changes and fixes to your database structure.

If you are running EDExpress in a network environment, you should first complete ALL of your workstation installations on all relevant production PCs, rebooting each PC as you finish the install, then access the software from ONE designated workstation to allow the database update to perform successfully.

The following Version 6.0 issues, listed by module, will be resolved in Version 6.1:

Global

CM #2312: Version 6.1 now correctly records default import and export directory path names of less than eight bytes in the software database. This correction eliminates any start-up error message indicating the path as invalid.

CM #2336: The User Data report in Version 6.1 now prints the actual data entered for a particular user-defined field instead of the Field Description(s) from the User Database setup.

CM #2404: The system resource analysis performed to generate the start-up message “Virtual Memory under 4000” is now updated in Version 6.1 to add total physical and virtual memory amounts available. This feature reduces the occurrence of this message for users.

CM #2451: Version 6.1 now correctly increments the field transmit flag for the Citizenship Status field on the Demo tab. Since the field transmit flag for this field is only utilized in the Direct Loan Change Export process, it did not cause on problems in Version 6.0.

CM #2453: Version 6.1 will no longer display Student Account Manager (SAM) message class options in File Management setup.

Application Processing

CM #2317: The pre-defined query for Batch ID only lists #E (Automatic ISIR) batches when selecting criteria for List-Processed ISIRs in Version 6.0. This selection list is now updated in Version 6.1 to display electronic FAFSA, ISIR correction, Renewal FAFSA and Duplicate ISIR batch IDs as well.

CM #2319: Version 6.1 allows users to enter a month only, or a year only, for Date of Legal Residence on the FAFSA or SAR/ISIR tabs.

CM #2345: Version 6.1 allows you to update the Father's and/or Mother's Last Name on the FAFSA tab to blank after saving the record.

CM #2356: Version 6.1 now correctly aligns and prints the Estimated EFC value when printing the Application Print report from the FAFSA tab.

CM #2383: When importing Renewal Application Data (RADD01OP) files in Version 6.1, the software no longer transposes the responses to the “Degree/Certificate” and “Bachelor's Degree by 7/1/2000?” questions.

Packaging

CM #2311: The Help Text and Tools | Browse table is updated in Version 6.1 to correctly display the Alternative Pell Schedule for Students with Low Assessed Tuition for 2000-2001.

CM #2428: The Help Text is updated in Version 6.1 to explain the field “Total Students Receiving Other Work-Study” on the Measurement Tools - Funds report under the Packaging print menu.

If you need any assistance connecting to the SFAdownload Web site or downloading EDExpress in single or multiple file format, please contact Title IV WAN Customer Service at 800/615-1189, or via email at T4WAN@NCS.COM.

If you need assistance with the installation or use of EDExpress once downloaded from the SFAdownload Web site, please contact CPS Customer Service at 800/330-5947, or via email at CPS@NCS.COM.

If you have technical questions about our SFA systems and software, you may want to subscribe to our email list serve, SFATECH. For more information about SFATECH, including how to subscribe, look on-line at www.ed.gov.


February 2000

Subject: EDExpress, Version 6.1

We are pleased to release EDExpress for Windows, Version 6.1. This software version expands EDExpress to include the Direct Loan module for the 2000-2001 award cycle as well as adding additional changes to the software.
Included in this letter are the following:
Instructions on how to obtain and install the software,
A list of Direct Loan enhancements,
A list of issues from Version 6.0 that were fixed,
The results gathered from EDExpress benchmark testing, and
A reminder to back up and optimize your EDExpress database.
What You Should Do
Just as you did for Version 6.0, download the software and the related user documentation via the Internet at the new Student Financial Aid (SFA) Download Web site, http://fsadownload.ed.gov/index.htmv. Instructions for downloading EDExpress for Windows from the Web are located on page 3 of this document, as well as in the “Downloading Software/Paper Documentation” section of the 2000-2001 EDExpress for Windows Installation Guide.
If You Need Further Information
The EDExpress Customer Service staff of the Central Processing System (CPS) can handle all of your EDExpress for Windows questions regarding:
Installation issues,
Software problem resolution,
Software functionality, and
Technical assistance.
You can reach them Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (CT), at 800/330-5947. You can also e-mail inquiries, comments, or suggestions 24 hours a day to CPS@NCS.COM. A representative responds within 24 hours.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or you need assistance connecting to the SFAdownload Web site or downloading EDExpress in single or multiple file format, call Title IV WAN Customer Service at 800/615-1189, or e-mail them at T4WAN@NCS.COM to request diskettes.
If you have technical questions about our SFA systems and software, you may want to subscribe to our e-mail listserv, SFATECH. For more information about SFATECH, including how to subscribe, look online at http://www.ed.gov/sfatech/listserv.html.

CPS Customer Service