Release Notes: Item 1710-02

2018-2019 Regulatory Release (Source Code Changes, with User Guide updates)

This is the second of two release items which comprise the 2018-19 Regulatory release. This item contains code modifications for 2018-19 Federal processing: ADD Load processing, FM calculations, federal corrections and COD reporting. Item 1710-01 contains the 2018-19 file changes.

Modifications to address any further federal announcements will be issued as needed. 2018-19 packaging is scheduled for release when the Pell tables are available, typically by mid-January. FISAP revisions will be released when final specifications become available, usually the following July.

The 2018-19 ISIR contains 16 new IRS data retrieval field flags (eight each parent and student), similar to the existing AGI and FIT data flags, which are added to the Federal (WF19FEDD) and ISIR (WF19ISRD) files:

The new IRS data retrieval field flags are displayed in a new FINANCIER window, accessible by expanding the DTL field on the Verification screen. The AGI and FIT field flags, which previously appeared on the top level of the Verification screen, are now displayed in the new window. The AGI and FIT flags are also removed from the CPS Communications screen.

In this year's need analysis calculation, three "homeless youth" assumption fields have been eliminated (changed to filler in the ISIR). In FINANCIER the corresponding fields were WF-FE-CAS-TEST-UYSD, WF-FE-CAS-TEST-UYHU and WF-FE-CAS-TEST-HMLS.

Dictionary values in the year-specific files reflect the following changes to ISIR field values:

As well, the FAA Federal School Code and the Electronic Federal School Code Indicator on the ISIR now include a description for the blank value. FINANCIER has never had Dictionary values defined for the corresponding fields, WF-FE-F-COLLEGE and WF-FE-C-ELEC-INST.

There are no NSLDS changes. Correction Field Numbers have not changed. The Dictionary entries in release item 1710-01 for correctable federal fields contain the correction numbers.

As in the past several years, verification is based on the verification group to which a selected student is assigned. Only the V1, V4 and V5 groups will be assigned in 2018-19.

Implementation Notes

The attached zip file contains:

To implement the 2018-19 Regulatory release, complete the following steps:

  1. Unload the SYSOBJH file in the attached zip file into a temporary library.

  2. SYSMAIN the new and updated modules from your temporary library into your development library. When copying the updated versions of source modules, be sure to review your current 2017-18 modules and apply any institutional modifications to the appropriate 2018-19 version.

    The new modules are the year-specific components named W*19*. The updated modules are:
  3. Roll your 2017-18 institutional calculations forward to 2018-19 and make any modifications necessary due to institutional requirements.

  4. Execute a CATALL against your development library to pick up all data area changes.

  5. On the FAO Table maintenance screen (under the System menu), when all FAO-specific calculations are in place, for each valid FAO at your institution, modify the High Year field (WW-TABLES.WW-HI-YEAR) to contain the new aid year.

  6. The JCL in the ADD Import job (WFADDIMJ) for 2018-19 will remain the same as last year, with ISIR record length of 4300 (Work File 1).

  7. Print the changed pages and User Guide update instructions in the zip file.

  8. Perform institutional testing. When testing is complete, you may move the released modules to your test and production environments.