Posted Date:July 10, 2017
| Author: | Lisa DiCarlo, Director, Student Experience Group, Federal Student Aid |
Subject: 2018-2019 CPS Test System User Guide Available on FSAdownload Website (Updated July 10, 2017)
NOTE: On July 10, 2017, we removed the reference to the “ISIR Analysis Tool” under the “Web Demo Site” section.
We are pleased to announce the posting of the 2018-2019 CPS Test System User Guide on the Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) website, located at https://fsadownload.ed.gov.
This guide provides instructions for using the Central Processing System (CPS) Test System, which includes two testing environments: a mainframe test environment and a Web Demonstration (demo) site, located at https://fafsademo.test.ed.gov.
Mainframe Test System
The mainframe portion of the CPS Test System is designed to test application and correction data processing between your system and the CPS outside the production environment. You can use CPS test files of application records and matching Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs), or you can create and submit your own application records.
To submit only test correction records you have created, you must contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support to request record IDs that will process successfully in the CPS Test System.
The mainframe portion of the CPS Test System will be available on September 24, 2017.
Note: If changes to the CPS occur between the date the 2018-2019 CPS Test System becomes available and October 2, 2017 (the date the CPS begins processing 2018-2019 data), the changes will be incorporated into the mainframe test system as they are identified and resolved. We will post an Issues Log in Microsoft Excel format to the FSAdownload website listing issues or changes to the mainframe test system. Each entry in the log will include the date the item was identified, resolved, or resulted in a change, and will include the status of resolved and unresolved issues so that you can easily determine if and when previously identified issues were resolved. It will also indicate whether the specifications or test cases have been updated for 2018-2019.
Web Demo Site
The Web portion of the CPS Test System contains demo versions of both the FAFSA.gov and FAA Access to CPS Online websites. These demo sites offer most of the features of the production versions of FAFSA.gov and FAA Access to CPS Online (including Return of Title IV Funds) and can be used as a training tool for students, parents, and financial aid office staff.
The FAA Access to CPS Online and FAFSA.gov demo sites will be available for use at https://fafsademo.test.ed.gov on September 24, 2017. We will post an electronic announcement to alert the community when the sites are “live” and available for use.
Contact Information
The CPS Test System User Guide is available in the “Technical References and Guides” section of the FSAdownload website under the “2018-2019” link for “CPS Test System.”
If you have any questions regarding the 2018-2019 CPS Test System User Guide, contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at 800/330-5947 (TDD/TTY 800/511-5806), or by e-mail at CPSSAIG@ed.gov.