Publication Date: January 04, 2005
Author: General Manager, FSA Application, School Eligibility and Delivery Services
Summary: Availability of EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006, Release 1.0
Posted on 01-04-2005
TO: All Destination Points
FROM: U.S. Department of Education
RE: Availability of EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006, Release 1.0
DATE: January 4, 2005
The U.S. Department of Education is pleased to announce the posting of EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006, Release 1.0, on the Department's Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) Web site, located at http://fsadownload.ed.gov. This release contains Global, Application Processing, and Packaging functionality for the 2005-2006 cycle.
In addition, the following EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006 documents are available on the FSAdownload Web site:
* EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006 Installation Guide
* EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006, Release 1.0 Cover Letter
* EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006, Release 1.0 Desk Reference (including Global, Application Processing, and Packaging functionality)
* 2005-2006 Packaging Technical Reference
These documents contain important information regarding EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006 functionality and enhancements that you should review.
Note: The President has signed the Department's Appropriations Act for FY 2005 that maintains the maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 2005-2006 award year at $4,050. The minimum award continues to be $400. The maximum Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that a student may have to be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant is 3850. We used these amounts (and related statutory provisions) to develop the 2005-06 payment and disbursement schedules included in Release 1.0.
Release 1.0 is available on the FSAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called Express56r1.exe, or you can download the software in separate "disk" installment files, which can be copied to a network drive or CDs. Review the download and installation instructions in the Installation Guide for further information.
You are required to have Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows XP as your PC workstation operating system to run Release 1.0. You must also adhere to either the minimum or the optimal hardware and software configuration requirements outlined in the September 2004 Federal Register Notice, available on the IFAP Web site at http://ifap.ed.gov/fregisters/FR09142004.html. Additional details and frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the new requirements are also available on IFAP at ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0408.html.
Release 1.0 can be installed in a standalone or network environment. In a standalone installation, all programs files, including the software database, are installed and stored on the hard drive of a single PC.
If you want to run EDExpress for Windows in a network environment, you must first run a network server installation, designating a network drive location for your EDExpress database. After the server installation is complete, you must run network workstation installations on all PCs that will access the network database, designating the correct network drive and folder during each installation.
**Important Installation Note** If you use Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you must be an Administrator on your workstation to install EDExpress for Windows 2005-2006, Release 1.0. If you are not an Administrator, you will receive a warning when you try to install EDExpress. After an Administrator has installed EDExpress, you can run it as a member of the Power Users group. If your database is on a network server, you must be a Power User or higher on the network (or "domain") as well as on your workstation. There are no workarounds for these Windows rights issues. Consult with your school's technical department if you receive a warning that an Administrator must install the EDExpress software.
Other system and network requirements are outlined in the Installation Guide.
If you need assistance downloading EDExpress in single or multiple file format from the FSAdownload Web site, or with the installation or use of EDExpress, contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at 800/330-5947 or by e-mail at CPSSAIG@ed.gov.
If you have technical questions about our FSA systems and software, you may want to subscribe to our e-mail listserv, FSATECH. For more information about FSATECH, including how to subscribe, visit the FSA Schools Portal: Listservs & Mailing Lists: FSATECH Web site at http://www.ed.gov/offices/FSA/services/fsatechsubscribe.html.