Availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 1.0

TO: All Direct Loan Participants

FROM: U.S. Department of Education

RE: Availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 1.0

The Department is pleased to announce the availability of a new supplemental software product for Direct Loan participants, DL Tools for Windows, Version 1.0. The software is available for download on the Department’s SFAdownload Web site (located at SFAdownload.ed.gov).

DL Tools has been developed to provide the following functionality related to the Direct Loan software:

1) Rebuild loan and disbursement data in EDExpress in an automated fashion;

2) Compare the 732 report to actual disbursements recorded in EDExpress or an external file, and compare to DL Tools Cash Database;

3) Print the 732 report in a readable format;

4) Track cash receipts (drawdowns) and returns of excess cash for Direct Loan as reported in GAPS.

The application is being developed to process data for multiple cycles. Version 1.0 will contain Rebuild and Cash Management functionality for the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 cycles, and Compare functionality for the 2001-2002 cycle.

The Compare and Cash Management functionality can be utilized by all Direct Loan Schools, including custom or combination system schools and EDExpress-only schools. The Rebuild process is designed to be utilized to recreate origination and disbursement records in the EDExpress Direct Loan Module.

DL Tools Version 1.0 is available on the SFAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called DLTool10.exe, or you can download the software in six separate "disk" installment files, which can be copied to a network drive or diskettes. Please review the download and installation instructions in the Installation Guide for further information.

You are required to have Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, or Windows 2000 as your PC workstation operating system in order to run DL Tools Version 1.0. Other system and network requirements are outlined in the Installation Guide.

DL Tools Version 1.0 can be installed in a standalone or networked environment. In a standalone installation, all programs files, including the software database, are installed and stored on the hard drive of a single PC.

For network installations you must first run a network server install, designating a network drive location for your DL Tools database. Once the server install is complete, you must run network workstation installations on all PCs which will access the networked database, designating the correct network drive and directory during each installation.

If you need assistance connecting to the SFAdownload site, downloading DL Tools in single or multiple file format, or with the installation or use of DL Tools, please contact CPS/WAN Technical Support at 800/330-5947 or via e-mail at

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, visit the SFA Technical Support Web site at