We are pleased to announce the posting of EDExpress for Windows 2026–27, Release 1.0, on the Software and Other Tools page of the Knowledge Center website. This release contains Global, Application Processing, Packaging, and College Financing Plan functionality for the 2026–27 cycle.
In addition, the following EDExpress 2026–27 documents are available on the Knowledge Center:
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EDExpress for Windows 2026–27 Installation Guide (provides technical guidance regarding installation and initial setup of Release 1.0 and subsequent versions)
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EDExpress for Windows 2026–27, Release 1.0 Cover Letter (provides information regarding enhancements available in Release 1.0)
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EDExpress for Windows 2026–27, Release 1.0 Desk Reference (covers Global, Application Processing, Packaging, and College Financing Plan functionality)
The 2026–27 Packaging Technical Reference, which provides technical guidance and record layouts for use with the EDExpress 2026–27 Packaging module, is also available on the Knowledge Center website.
We have continued to modernize the EDExpress user interface in 2026–27 by enhancing print functionality for reports, lists, letters, and other documents to improve readability, standardize reports across programs, and provide additional formatting options for user-defined text.
We also redesigned the installation and initial setup process for EDExpress 2026–27. See the next two sections of this message below for more information.
Release 1.0 functionality is consistent with the most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) changes for 2026–27, including legislative updates and any changes implemented during extensive beta testing conducted by Federal Student Aid prior to processing start-up.
Due to the redesigned installation process for EDExpress 2026–27, you are now only required to confirm the location on your workstation where you want EDExpress 2026–27 program files installed. All other options that were previously part of the installation process, including selecting the location of your EDExpress database, are now steps you complete as part of the “Getting Started” process when you start the software for the first time following installation.
During the installation of EDExpress 2026–27, Release 1.0, you may be prompted to install additional software components to your workstation that are required for EDExpress. These components include:
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Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016
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Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0
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Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 Redistributable Package
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Web View 2
If EDExpress prompts you to install any of these software components, we recommend allowing the installation to proceed.
For more information on EDExpress software and hardware recommendations and requirements, see the EDExpress 2026–27 Installation Guide.
When you first access EDExpress 2026–27 after installation, select Get Started on the Welcome screen to initiate a “wizard” feature that assists you with the following:
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Selecting optional EDExpress functionality (Packaging and College Financing Plan for Release 1.0) to install or omit from your iteration of the software. Note: Global and Application Processing functionality is installed automatically and cannot be excluded.
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Connecting to an existing 2026–27 EDExpress database or creating a new 2026–27 database.
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Establishing a new password for your system administrator User ID (SYSADMIN) if you are creating a new 2026–27 database.
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(Optional) Running prior-year import to carry forward setup parameters, queries, and file formats from your EDExpress 2025–26 database to your 2026–27 database. Note: This option is only available if you are creating a new EDExpress 2026–27 database.
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(Optional) Establishing a new User ID and password for a primary user who is not a system administrator. This ID is created automatically in the Express Administration security group and has access to all software functions by default.
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 screen in Global setup after your initial login.
Note: The SYSADMIN user ID only provides access to critical administrative functions 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 detailed information and guidance on EDExpress 2026–27 installation and initial setup screens, see the EDExpress 2026–27 Installation Guide.
If you have questions, please contact the FPS Help Desk at 1-800-330-5947 or support@fps.ed.gov. The FPS Help Desk provides customer service for the FAFSA Processing System (FPS), the Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG), and the EDExpress for Windows software.