Summary: Information and Guidance on Datatel ISIR Correction Processing Issue

Posted on 04-15-2005

Datatel, the third-party software vendor, recently advised the Department and its clients about an ISIR correction export issue in its software that has resulted in incorrect student e-mail addresses being sent and processed by the Central Processing System (CPS).

The Department wishes to provide further information on this situation to all schools, as non-Datatel users may have received ISIR records with incorrect e-mail address information as a result of this issue.

We also wish to reassure all schools that the security of student data on FSA's systems has not been compromised as a result of this issue. While some students may have erroneously received an e-mail notification of a new ISIR transaction for another student, it is extremely unlikely that the recipient would have the necessary unique identifier information to access data for that student online.

**Issue Background**

On April 8, 2005, Datatel notified its users that the ISIR correction export process in its software was shifting student e-mail addresses in the file from the correct student to the next student in the file. When these ISIR files were received and processed by the CPS, the student records were updated with incorrect e-mail addresses.

Schools that do not use Datatel may have received ISIR records resulting from the Datatel software issue, and receive questions from students who have erroneously received e-mail notifications for other students.

**Issue Resolution**

Datatel users have been urged by the software vendor to halt the export of ISIR correction files. The vendor has completed coding for the fix that will stop data corruption that is occurring during correction exports, and is currently working on coding changes that will provide users with a software fix. The software fix will enable Datatel users to resend the ISIR corrections with the correct e-mail address. The release of both coding changes to Datatel users is scheduled to occur no later than Monday, April 18, 2005.

It is important that the school that originated the correction using Datatel correct these records as quickly as possible upon the release of the software fix, as the Department relies upon e-mail as a primary means of communicating important information and alerts quickly to students. If non-Datatel schools wish to make e-mail address corrections, they may do so at any time.

For more information on Datatel's planned resolution to this software issue, please visit Datatel's Web site (http://www.datatel.com).

**If You Have Questions**

For assistance using Datatel, or any additional information regarding this software issue or how to resolve it, please contact Datatel's Financial Aid Solution Center at 800/328-2835 and select option 2, then option 3.

If you have any questions regarding the CPS, please contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at 800/330-5947 or via e-mail at CPSSAIG@ed.gov.