Publication Date: November 4, 2005
Author: G. Kay Jacks, General Manager, FSA Application, School Eligibility and Delivery Services
Summary: Availability of SSCR for Windows, Release 3.0
Posted on 11-04-2005
The Department is pleased to announce the availability of SSCR for Windows, Release 3.0. SSCR for Windows is a multi-year application designed to help you electronically certify borrowers' enrollment and update student information on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
SSCR Release 3.0 is available for download from the Department's Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) Web site, located at fsadownload.ed.gov. In addition to the software, the SSCR for Windows, Release 3.0 Cover Letter, Installation Guide, and Desk Reference are also available on the FSAdownload Web site. These documents contain important information and guidance regarding SSCR functionality and enhancements that you should review.
SSCR Release 3.0 contains updates to software grids, field labels, and help text to ensure compatibility with screen reader technology used by the visually impaired to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Screen reader software cannot interpret color shading in SSCR software entry fields or directly read the contents of software grid cells. To accommodate these restrictions, Release 3.0 users will notice the following major changes:
- All software fields that are shaded yellow to indicate they are required will now also display a "-R" after the software label. The "-R" indicates the field is required.
- All software fields that are shaded blue after a previously saved value has been modified will now also display a "-C" after the software label. The "-C" text indicates the field has been changed. If the change is made to a field that is shaded yellow, the "-C" text will replace the "-R" text after the label.
- All software grids now display "floating" text descriptions of the contents of grid cells when cells are selected. The text appears one cell above (or one cell below, for cells in the first line of a grid) the selected cell. The text lists Row number, Column title, and (if applicable) the current Value. Clicking once in a cell, or using the Tab key or arrow keys to move to a cell, displays the text. Clicking a second time, or using the Tab key or arrow keys to move from a cell, hides the text.
NOTE: Users will always see the "-R" and "-C" labels added to software fields. Also, "floating" text is always enabled for the SYSADMIN user ID and always appears on the Startup Information dialog box. However, the floating text can be enabled or disabled on other grids for specific users by selecting or clearing the new "Enable 508 Grid Functionality?" checkbox on the Security Users dialog box.
In addition, the following enhancements and fixes were implemented in Release 3.0:
1) SSCR now automatically backs up your files rather than prompting you to back them up when 1,000 files of the same message class already exist in the import or export directory. If SSCR determines that 1,000 files of the same message class already exist, the software creates a backup subdirectory called "BACKUP" in your existing data directory and automatically moves the files into it. This prevents previously imported or exported files from being overwritten when you import or export new files.
2) SSCR now fills the EDconnect Transmission Queue with SSCRXXIN or SSCMXXIN files you have exported if the "Export to EDconnect?" checkbox is selected for your user ID in Security Users setup. This resolves a software issue in SSCR Release 2.0.
3) SSCR now automatically starts EDconnect, fills the Transmission Queue, and transmits your exported files if the "Automatically Transmit?" checkbox is selected for your user ID in Security Users setup.
Before installing SSCR Release 3.0, you should complete any pending SSCR Roster updates in SSCR Release 2.0, then uninstall Release 2.0 and begin using Release 3.0 exclusively for your SSCR processing.
SSCR Release 3.0 is available on the FSAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called SSCR_R30.exe, or you can download the software in eight separate "disk" installment files, which can be copied to a network drive or a folder on your PC. Please review the download and installation instructions in the Installation Guide for further information.
** Important Installation Alert** If you use Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you must be an Administrator on your workstation to install SSCR Release 3.0. If you are not an Administrator, you will receive a warning when you try to install SSCR. After an Administrator has installed SSCR, you can run SSCR 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. We have 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 SSCR software.
You are required to have Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows XP as your PC workstation operating system in order to run Release 3.0. Other system and network requirements are outlined in the Installation Guide.
Release 3.0 is not an upgrade to Release 2.0. You must perform a Full installation of Release 3.0 on your stand-alone PC or network server and workstations. Once you begin using Release 3.0, you can uninstall Release 2.0 from your school's system.
If you receive any prompt during the installation indicating an existing file was found and asking if you want to overwrite it, click "Yes."
If you need assistance connecting to the FSAdownload site, downloading SSCR in single or multiple file format, or with the installation or use of the SSCR software, please contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at 800/330-5947 (TDD/TYY 800/511-5806) 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.