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(Campus-Based) Subject: Implementation of Electronic Signature and Two Factor Authentication for eCampus-Based Web Site in August 2014

Posted Date:June 26, 2014

Author: Sue O'Flaherty, Service Director, Program Management, Federal Student Aid

Subject: Implementation of Electronic Signature and Two Factor Authentication for eCampus-Based Web Site in August 2014

On August 1, 2014, two key changes will be implemented for the eCampus-Based (eCB) Web site: Electronic Signature and Two Factor Authentication (TFA). With these changes, all eCB Web site users will be required to use an FSA User ID and password and a TFA token to log in to the eCB Web site beginning August 1, 2014. Accordingly, we provide information about specific steps some users may need to take in order to continue using the eCB Web site after August 1, 2014. We present the information as follows:

  • Electronic Signature Available August 1, 2014

  • eCB User Registration

  • Two Factor Authentication

  • TFA Tokens and Registration

  • Contact Information

Electronic Signature Available August 1, 2014

We are pleased to announce that an electronic signature (eSignature) option is being added to the eCampus-Based (eCB) Web site. eSignature allows schools to electronically sign and submit the signature pages for the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), Lobbying Form, Work Colleges Application Form, Work Colleges Expenditure Report, and Expenditure Report for Title IV Aid to Students with Intellectual Disabilities. eSignature will eliminate the need for schools to send hard copy signature documents printed from the eCB Web site to the Department of Education. eSignature will be available beginning August 1, 2014 and eSignature instructions will be available through a link on the eCB Login page and through the Help tab within the eCB Web site.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), (e.g., President, Chancellor, Owner) as designated in a school's Program Participation Agreement (PPA) is the only person authorized to sign the forms available within the eCB Web site. He or she will also be the only person authorized to complete the eSignature process.

Note: The CEO/President/Chancellor at a school using the eSignature process must be enrolled as an eCB Web site user, have an FSA User ID and password, and receive and register a TFA token. Information about completing these steps is below.

Additional information about eSignature as well as information about the final FISAP form, instructions, and Desk Reference will be provided in a separate electronic announcement posted to the Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web site.

eCB User Registration

Beginning August 1, 2014, if a school has a user who needs access to the eCB Web site, the user must first register as an eCB user. The required steps to complete this registration may be different depending on whether or not the user already has an FSA User ID.

New eCB Users without FSA User ID

Enrollment as an eCB Web site user is completed using the Registration link on the eCB Web site login screen.

How to Navigate to the Registration Link on the eCampus-Based Web site login screen:
1. Access the eCB Web site at https://cbfisap.ed.gov.
2. Click on the Login button in the middle of the page.

A login screen titled "Login – The eCampus-Based System" is displayed.
There are several links displayed immediately below the screen title.
The Registration link is the second one from the left.

Detailed guidance concerning the Registration process is provided in the eCB Self Registration Guide available from the Registration Help link located to the left of the Registration link.

Important Note: Read, Write, and Submit access to eCB are required for the CEO to be able to use the eCB eSignature functionality. The enrollment request will be reviewed and approved by the eCB Destination Point Administrator (DPA). Upon approval, the user will receive an FSA User ID and password. Once a user is enrolled as an eCB Web site user, he or she will need to have a TFA token. The school's DPA will provide the user with a TFA token. We provide more information about TFA tokens in the sections below.

Users with FSA User ID who need access to eCB

A user who already has an FSA User ID and requires access to eCB should register for eCB access through the Edit Account link on the eCampus-Based System login screen. This will link eCB access to the user's existing FSA User ID.

How to Navigate to the Edit Account Link on the eCampus-Based Web site login screen:
1. Access the eCB Web site at https://cbfisap.ed.gov.
2. Click on the Login button in the middle of the page.

A login screen titled "Login – The eCampus-Based System" is displayed.
There are several links displayed immediately below the screen title.
The Edit Account link is the fourth one from the left.

Two Factor Authentication

Two Factor Authentication (TFA) is the security process through which authorized users are required to enter two forms of "authentication" to access Federal Student Aid systems. TFA requires each authorized user to log in with a traditional User ID and Password as well as provide a One-Time Password (OTP) generated by a registered token device that is in the physical possession of the user.

Beginning August 1, 2014 all authorized users will be required to log in to the eCB Web site using a TFA token in addition to an FSA User ID (the user's eCB user ID) and password. Most eCB Web site users currently have TFA tokens because they are authorized users of one or more other Federal Student Aid systems that currently use Two Factor Authentication. However, any authorized user who is responsible for accessing the eCB Web site and who does not have a TFA token will need to take action before August 1, 2014, as described below, in order to continue logging in to the eCB Web site.

TFA Tokens and Registration

As noted earlier, beginning August 1, 2014, eCB Web site users will need a TFA token to log in to the eCB Web site.

Users With a TFA Token

eCB Web site users who currently have a TFA token will not need to take any additional action to be able to log in to the eCB Web site on or after August 1, 2014.

Users Without a TFA Token

eCB Web site users who do not currently have a TFA token will need to take action to be able to log in to the eCB Web site on or after August 1, 2014. These users will need to obtain a TFA token from the school's DPA and register it prior to August 1, 2014 in order to be able to log in to the eCB Web site.

How to register a TFA Token:
1. Go to the following URL: https://sa.ed.gov/enrole/SAWeb/selfmenu.jsp.
2. Click on the token registration link: Register/Maintain Token.
3. Enter your FSA User ID and password and click on Login.
4. Complete the token registration information.
5. When the Success message is displayed, the token has been registered.

Important Reminder: As explained in a January 24, 2014 Electronic Announcement, FSA User IDs and passwords not used to log in to a Federal Student Aid system within specific timeframes are suspended or deactivated. eCB users will need to be mindful of these timeframes, particularly those users who may only log in to the eCB Web site a few times a year to complete eSignature processes.

Contact Information

For additional information about eSignature or eCB user registration, contact the Campus-Based Call Center at 877/801-7168. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. (ET). You may also e-mail CBFOB@ed.gov.

For questions about TFA and TFA tokens, contact your school's DPA.