We are pleased to announce the posting of EDExpress for Windows 2020-2021, Release 1.0, on the Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) website, located at https://fsadownload.ed.gov. This release contains Global, Application Processing, and Packaging functionality for the 2020-2021 cycle.
In addition, the following EDExpress 2020-2021 documents are available on the FSAdownload website:
Installation Guide for EDExpress for Windows 2020-2021 (provides technical guidance regarding installing and using Release 1.0)
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EDExpress for Windows 2020-2021, Release 1.0 Cover Letter (provides information regarding enhancements available in Release 1.0)
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EDExpress for Windows 2020-2021, Release 1.0 Desk Reference (covers Global, Application Processing, and Packaging functionality)
The 2020-2021 Packaging Technical Reference, which provides technical guidance and record layouts for use with the EDExpress 2020-2021 Packaging module, is also available on the FSAdownload website.
Note: As announced in previous Electronic Announcements, we are working to retire the FSAdownload website and relocate all site content, including EDExpress software and related documentation, to the Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) website, located at https://ifap.ed.gov. In some cases, references in software documentation have already been updated to reflect this transition. We recommend that you monitor the IFAP website for upcoming Electronic Announcements related to this transition. Depending on the timing of the transition, you may need to go to the IFAP website to download EDExpress software and documentation.
EDExpress 2020-2021 Installation – Special Notes
Note the following guidance during the installation of EDExpress 2020-2021, Release 1.0:
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When you initiate the EDExpress 2020-2021 installation process, you will be prompted to install the ACE Access Database Engine. This functionality is required to install EDExpress 2020-2021. Click Install to allow the process to determine if the ACE Access Database Engine is already on the workstation and install it if not; after which the installation will proceed.
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EDExpress 2020-2021 requires Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.6.2. You will be prompted to install this software if the EDExpress 2020-2021 installation process determines it is not available on your workstation.
For more information on installing EDExpress 2020-2021, Release 1.0, see the EDExpress for Windows 2020-2021 Installation Guide, available for download from the FSAdownload website.
EDExpress 2020-2021 Initial Login Information
When you first access EDExpress 2020-2021 after installation, the default User ID is SYSADMIN and the default password is $y$tem Adm1n. Be sure to include the space between $y$tem and Adm1n (the two parts of the default password).
After you enter the default user ID and password, EDExpress 2020-2021 requires that you immediately define a new password for the SYSADMIN. New passwords must be a minimum of 12 characters and must include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one keyboard character that is not a letter or number (such as an exclamation mark or other punctuation symbol). You can adjust the minimum password length and other requirements in the Password Setup dialog box (Tools, Setup, Global, Password Setup).
The SYSADMIN user ID only provides access to critical administrative functions in order to limit its use for routine software tasks and improve your ability to trace actions taken in the software to specific users. EDExpress administrators at your school should create unique user IDs in Security Users setup with the necessary access (based on the associated Security Group) and log into the software under those IDs for most software tasks they perform.
For more information on security setup, see EDExpress Help in the software and the EDExpress for Windows 2020-2021, Release 1.0 Desk Reference, available for download from the FSAdownload website.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding downloading, installing, or using EDExpress 2020-2021, Release 1.0, contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at 1-800-330-5947 or by email 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 on subscribing to FSATech, go to https://ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/services/fsatechsubscribe.html.