(Application Processing) Summary: Availability of EDExpress for Windows 2007-2008, Release 1.0

In addition, the following EDExpress 2007-2008 documents are available on the FSAdownload Web site:

These documents contain important information and guidance regarding EDExpress 2007-2008 functionality that you should review, including details on 2007-2008 software enhancements related to provisions of the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (the HERA), Pub. L. 109-171.

Note: At this time, the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) Fiscal Year 2007 Appropriation has not been approved. Therefore, the 2007-2008 Federal Pell Grant Payment and Disbursement Schedule included in Release 1.0 is based on the current $4,050 maximum Pell Grant award. After ED’s Fiscal Year 2007 Appropriation is finalized, we will update, if necessary, the Pell Grant Payment Schedule through a future release of EDExpress. If you use the EDExpress Packaging module to award Pell Grants, you may want to wait until it is known if the Pell Payment Schedule will change.

Release 1.0 Download/Installation Process

Release 1.0 is available on the FSAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called express78r1.exe, or you can download the software in separate "disk" installment files, which can be copied to a Local Area Network (LAN) drive or CDs. Review the download and installation instructions in the Installation Guide for further information.

You must have Windows 2000 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 system requirements are also available on IFAP at ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0408.html.

Release 1.0 can be installed in a standalone or LAN environment. In a standalone installation, all program files, including the EDExpress database, are installed and stored on the hard drive of a single PC.

If you want to run EDExpress for Windows in a LAN environment, you must first run a network server installation and designate a location on your LAN for your EDExpress database. After the network server installation is complete, you must run network workstation installations on all PCs that will access the EDExpress database on your LAN, designating the correct LAN drive and folder for your database during each workstation installation.

Important Installation Note: You must be an Administrator on your workstation to install EDExpress 2007-2008 in the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems. 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.

If you receive any prompts during the Release 1.0 installation indicating an existing file was found and asking if you want to overwrite it, click Yes.

Other system and network requirements are outlined in the Installation Guide for EDExpress for Windows 2007-2008, available now on the FSAdownload Web site, located at http://fsadownload.ed.gov.

If You Have Questions

If you have any questions regarding downloading, installing, or using EDExpress 2007-2008, Release 1.0, contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at 800/330-5947 (TDD/TTY 800/511-5806) or by e-mail at CPSSAIG@ed.gov.

You can also post questions regarding EDExpress on FSATECH. FSATECH is an electronic mailing list for technical questions about Federal Student Aid systems, software, and mainframe products. For more information about FSATECH, including how to subscribe, go to fsa4schools.ed.gov, click "Listserves/Mailing Lists"on the left menu, and click the "FSATech" link.