Publication Date: January 22, 2004
Author: General Manager, Students Channel, FSA ASEDS
Summary: Issue Alert: INS/DHS Verification Number May Contain Letters
Posted on 01-22-2004
TO: All Destination Points
FROM: The Central Processing System (CPS)
RE: Issue Alert: INS/DHS Verification Number May Contain Letters
The CPS would like to alert users of third-party software to a change in the format of the 2003-2004 INS Verification Number and 2004-2005 DHS Verification Number that went into effect January 2, 2004. The INS/DHS Verification Number has changed from an all-numeric format to a combination of numbers and letters. The issue will not affect EDExpress users, but may affect third-party software users and/or mainframe or "home-grown" systems.
On the 2003-2004 ISIR record, field 150, INS Verification Number occupies positions 629 to 643. On 2004-2005 ISIR, field 253, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Verification Number occupies positions 1594 to1608. The current valid values for these fields are 000000000000000 to 999999999999999, or blank. The ISIR record layout will be updated to show valid values of A to Z, 000000000000000 to 999999999999999, or blank.
An update to the 2004-2005 EDE Technical Reference will be posted shortly and will include the changes to these fields. A future update to the 2003-2004 EDE Technical Reference will include the changes, as well. Messages will be posted when the EDE Technical References are updated.
If you have questions about this message, please contact CPS/WAN Technical Support at 800/330-5947, or via e-mail at cpswan@ncs.com.