We are pleased to announce the posting of an EDExpress for Windows 2021–2022, Release 2.0, service release that enables you to continue to import Pell Grant Electronic Statement of Account (ESOA) files sent by the COD System under message class PGAS22OP. The service release is available for download on the Software and Other Tools page of the Knowledge Center at FSA Partner Connect website (https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center).
On May 1, 2022, the COD System will implement changes to the record layout for the Pell ESOA file, including the addition of the UEI (Unique Entity Identifier), which identifies entities registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). These record layout changes are being applied to the Pell ESOA for all active award years (2022–23 and prior).
After installing the service release, you will be able to import 2021–22 versions of the reformatted Pell ESOA files into EDExpress 2021–2022, Release 2.0 without receiving error messages.
You must have EDExpress 2021–2022, Release 2.0 installed on your PC before running the service release file. You can download Release 2.0 from the Software and Other Tools page of the Knowledge Center website.
Important Note: After installing this service release, you will not be able to import 2021–22 Pell ESOA files generated prior to May 1, 2022. If you have 2021–22 Pell ESOA information generated prior to May 1, 2022 that you need to reference, we recommend that you import, print, and safely store this information prior to installing the service release.
If you do not use the EDExpress Pell Grant module, you do not need to load the service release described in this message.
See the sections below for guidance and tips on downloading and running the service release file on PC workstations running EDExpress 2021–2022, Release 2.0.
Downloading and Running the EDExpress Service Release File
The EDExpress 2021–2022, Release 2.0 service release installation file (EDE22_Apr2022_Release.exe) is posted to the Software and Other Tools page of the Knowledge Center website. You should run the installation on all PC workstations in your office that have Release 2.0 installed.
To download the service release, go to the Software and Other Tools page, click the “EDExpress” link, then select “2021–2022” under the By Award Year section of the page. Click the date-specific link under Software that is labeled “EDExpress 2021–2022 Release 2.0 Service Release.” On the subsequent page, you can initiate the download of the service release file by clicking the link under the “Attachments” section.
When you run the installation file, you are prompted to select the program directory for EDExpress 2021¬–2022, Release 2.0 on the PC workstation. For most users, this is the default directory of C:\Program Files (x86)\EDESuite\EDExpress for Windows 2021¬2022 (unless you changed this location during the installation process). If you do not have a Program Files (x86) directory, the default is C:\Program Files\EDESuite\EDExpress for Windows 2021–2022. Click OK to initiate and run the service release installation.
You do not need to reboot your PC(s) once the copy procedure is complete in order to resume using EDExpress 2021–2022, Release 2.0.
Additional Tips and Guidance
Note the following additional tips when loading the service release file to your PC workstation(s):
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Be sure to close EDExpress on your PC(s) before performing the download and copy procedure.
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Microsoft Windows users must have admin rights to the PC workstation(s) running EDExpress in order to run the service release file installation.
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If you receive a message indicating you cannot overwrite the file (usually due to a “sharing violation”), restart your computer and try again. Windows may think the file overwritten by the service release file installation is in use until you restart.
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If your EDExpress database is installed on a network drive, and you have multiple PC workstations accessing that database, you must run the service release file installation on EACH workstation.
If You Have Questions
If you have any questions regarding loading the EDExpress 2021–2022, Release 2.0 service release file to your system, 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://listserv.ed.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=FSATECH&A=1.
If you have any questions about the COD System, contact the COD School Relations Center at 1-800-848-0978. You may also email CODSupport@ed.gov.