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Summary: Issue Alert: EDExpress FAFSA Applications Rejecting Due to Invalid Preparer's Information

Publication Date: April 4, 2002

Author: General Manager: SFA Student Channel

Summary: Issue Alert: EDExpress FAFSA Applications Rejecting Due to Invalid Preparer's Information


Posted on April 4, 2002

TO: 2002-2003 EDExpress Users

FROM: CPS/WAN Technical Support

RE: Issue Alert: EDExpress FAFSA Applications Rejecting Due to Invalid Preparer's Information

A small number of FAFSA applications submitted using the 2002-2003 EDExpress software have been rejected recently by the Central Processing System (CPS) due to invalid values entered in the Preparer's Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer ID Number fields. Both of these data elements are nine-character fields. If less than nine digits are entered in either field, the CPS will not be able to process the application.

We wish to note that in many cases it is not necessary or required for FAFSA applicants or their parents to provide Preparer's information. The law requires that the Preparer's SSN or the preparer's company's Employer Identification Number (EIN) be provided only if someone other than the student, the student's spouse, or the student's parents prepared the form.

NOTE: Often the student or the student's parents complete the FAFSA form themselves and then allow someone to assist them with entering and submitting the FAFSA information electronically. Please be aware in this situation it would not be necessary to provide information about the preparer's identity, as an assistance agency is not actually preparing the form.

We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may cause. If you have questions, please contact CPS/WAN Technical Support at 800/330-5947 or via e-mail at CPSWAN@NCS.COM.