User Guide for the

CPS Test System

2008-2009

U.S. Department of Education

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE.......................................................................................................................................1

About This Guide.........................................................................................................................1

Holiday Closings for the 2008-2009 Processing Cycle ...............................................................2

CPS TEST SYSTEM .....................................................................................................................3

Overview......................................................................................................................................3

What can be tested on the CPS Test System? ........................................................................3

CPS Test System Availability ................................................................................................4

GETTING STARTED ...................................................................................................................5

Steps for Getting Started..............................................................................................................5

1. Obtain a Destination Point Number ...................................................................................5

2. Download the Electronic Data Exchange Technical Reference.........................................6

THE CPS TEST PROCESS..........................................................................................................7

Steps for the CPS Test Process ....................................................................................................7

1. Create or Request Data.......................................................................................................7

2. Export Data from Your System........................................................................................10

3. Import Data to Your System ............................................................................................10

4. Review Test Results .........................................................................................................11

STATE AGENCY TESTING .....................................................................................................12

Steps for State Agency Testing..................................................................................................12

1. Download Test ISIRs .......................................................................................................12

2. Conduct Tests as Needed .................................................................................................12

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide ii

WEB DEMO SITE.......................................................................................................................14

What is the Web Demo Site? .....................................................................................................14

System Requirements ...........................................................................................................15

Accessing the Web Demo Site .............................................................................................15

GETTING HELP .........................................................................................................................16

Sources of Assistance ................................................................................................................16

Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) ...............................................................16

CPS/SAIG Technical Support..............................................................................................16

FSATECH ............................................................................................................................17

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide iii

Preface

About This Guide

This user guide describes Federal Student Aid’s Central Processing System (CPS) Test System and
the testing process. It provides testing instructions for the mainframe test environment, as well as
instructions for using the Web Demonstration (Demo) site, fafsademo.test.ed.gov.
This guide is for staff members of schools and software development companies that create systems
to exchange application and correction data with the CPS. State agencies refer to this guide when
testing their systems’ ability to receive Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs).
Other users are financial aid administrators (FAAs) and others in the financial aid community who
are interested in using the Web Demo site for training purposes. Users of the Web Demo site can
complete and submit sample FAFSA on the Web applications, as well as make corrections using
Corrections on the Web. In addition, financial aid administrators can use the Web Demo site to train
their staff on FAA Access to CPS Online.
If you have questions, see “Getting Help” on page 16 of this guide for ways to obtain technical
support.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 1

Holiday Closings for the 2008-2009 Processing
Cycle
The CPS Test System is not available on the holidays listed in the table below. A network message
will be sent to notify you when they are scheduled.

Holiday 2007 2008

New Year’s Day Monday, January 1 Tuesday, January 1

Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 15 Monday, January 21
Memorial Day Monday, May 28 Monday, May 26
Independence Day Wednesday, July 4 Friday, July 4
Labor Day Monday, September 3 Monday, September 1
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 22 Thursday, November 27
Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 23 Friday, November 28
Day before Christmas Monday, December 24
Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25 Thursday, December 25
Day after Christmas Friday, December 26

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 2

CPS Test System

Overview
What can be tested on the CPS Test System?

The CPS Test System includes two testing environments: a mainframe test environment and a Web
Demo site (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 ISIRs, or you can create and submit
your own application records.
To submit only test correction records you have created, you must call CPS/SAIG Technical Support
to request record IDs that will process successfully in the CPS Test System. At the end of each
processing day, the test database tables are cleared and the original data needed for correction
processing are restored.

Issues Log
We will post a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet listing issues or changes made to the Mainframe Test
System. Each entry in the log includes the date the item was identified, resolved, or resulted in a
change. The log is updated throughout the cycle when changes are made to the system. It includes
the status of resolved and unresolved issues so that you can easily determine if and when previously
identified issues were resolved. It also indicates whether the specifications or test cases have been
updated for 2008-2009.
The Issues Log is available on the Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) Web site, located
at fsadownload.ed.gov. Select Technical References and Guides, scroll to CPS Test System, and
select 2008-2009.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 3

Web Demo Site
This portion of the CPS Test System contains demonstration versions of both the FAFSA on the
Web and FAA Access to CPS Online Web sites, allowing users to complete and submit sample
FAFSA on the Web applications in a test environment.
The FAFSA on the Web Demo site can be used to demonstrate electronic applications to parents
and students or as an aid in training financial aid administrators to help students complete electronic
applications. Financial aid administrators can also use the Web Demo site to become familiar with
FAA Access to CPS Online and train their staff to use the system.
A demonstration site for the ISIR Analysis Tool will be available to schools in February 2008. This
demo site enables schools interested in using the ISIR Analysis Tool to examine features such as
standard and ad hoc report generation in a mock-production environment.
See page 14 of this user guide for a complete description of the Web Demo site.

CPS Test System Availability

Mainframe Test System

The most recent cycle of the CPS Test System is available for a 12-month period. Effective the
week of November 19, 2007, the 2008-2009 mainframe test system will replace the 2007-2008
system.
Note: If changes to the CPS occur between the date the 2008-2009 test system becomes available
and January 2, 2008 (the date the CPS system begins processing 2008-2009 data), the changes will
be incorporated into the test system as they are identified and resolved. They will be noted on the
Issues Log posted on the FSAdownload Web site.

Web Demo Site

The FAA Access to CPS Online and FAFSA on the Web demo sites will be available for use
December 2, 2007. Federal Student Aid will post an announcement on FSATECH, the Information
for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web site at ifap.ed.gov, and the Student Aid Internet
Gateway (SAIG) when the site is updated for 2008-2009.
ISIR Analysis Tool will be available on the FAA Access to CPS Online demo site beginning in
February 2008, simultaneously with the release of the 2008-2009 production version of the ISIR
Analysis Tool.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 4

Getting Started

Steps for Getting Started

1. Obtain a Destination Point Number

To use the CPS Test System, you must be able to transmit data over the Student Aid Internet
Gateway (SAIG). To do this, you must be enrolled as a destination point. Destination points are
designated by a TG number. If you need a destination point number (also called a TG number),
enroll online at the SAIG enrollment Web site:
fsawebenroll.ed.gov

CPS/SAIG Technical Support will mail you a TG number. Your TG number consists of seven
characters, the letters TG followed by a five-digit numeric or alpha-numeric ID. The TG number
identifies your school as a destination point and enables you to exchange data with the CPS.

To address the increased number of users requiring authentication for the Student Aid Internet
Gateway (SAIG), TG numbers can now contain a letter in the third position (after “TG”), such as
TGA0001. TG numbers containing letters will be assigned by Federal Student Aid. Users with
existing, all-numeric TG numbers, such as TG50001, are not affected by this change.

For information on becoming a destination point, contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at:
800/330-5947
TDD/TTY: 800/511-5806

E-mail: [email protected]

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 5

2. Download the Electronic Data Exchange Technical Reference

The 2008-2009 Electronic Data Exchange (EDE) Technical Reference contains the electronic
application and correction record layouts you will need to create data records and develop your
system as specified by the CPS. It also contains the ISIR record layout and other information needed
to format your data correctly.
The EDE Technical Reference is available in Adobe PDF format on the Federal Student Aid
Download (FSAdownload) Web site, located at fsadownload.ed.gov.
To download this document:
1. Go to the FSAdownload Web site.
2. Click Technical References and Guides.
3. Click Electronic Data Exchange Technical Reference, 2008-2009.
4. Right-click PDF Format next to “Record Layouts.”
5. Click Save Target As, choose a target folder for the document file, and click OK to save.
6. Open the saved file in the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 6

The CPS Test Process

Steps for the CPS Test Process

1. Create or Request Data

To use the CPS Test System, you must create test application records or request Social Security
Number (SSN) IDs to create your correction records. All application data transmitted to the CPS
test system must be formatted according to the appropriate record layout in the 2008-2009 EDE
Technical Reference.
The 2008-2009 EDE Technical Reference is available for download in Adobe PDF format at the
Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) Web site. See “Getting Started” on page 5 in this
user guide for instructions.

Application Data for Testing

You can create test application records in three ways:

Download and Use the CPS Test Application and ISIR Files
You can download a file of dummy test application data from the FSAdownload Web site, along
with its corresponding test ISIR file. The test file contains approximately 3,000 records. The Web
site is located at fsadownload.ed.gov.

In the test application data file, use the method described later in “SSNs for Application Test
Records” to change the dummy SSNs to identify them as specific to your destination point. The data
on the ISIRs you receive should match the test ISIR file you downloaded from the FSAdownload
Web site.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 7

To download the test application data file:
1. Go to the FSAdownload Web site.
2. Click Technical References and Guides.
3. Click CPS Test System, 2008-2009.
4. Click Text Format next to “Electronic Application Test Data.”
5. Select File, Save As from your browser’s menu bar and choose a location for the file.
6. Click Save.
7. Click Open to unzip the file, or click Close to close the dialog box and unzip the file later.

Download and Use the CPS Test Application File as a Template

You can download the file of test application data from the FSAdownload Web site and use it as a
template to create your own application data.
Be sure to change the SSNs using the method described on page 9 in “SSNs for Application Test
Records.”
Remember, if you change any of the data in the test records other than the SSN, the resulting ISIRs
will not match the CPS test ISIR file. You will need to check your results manually.
To download the test application data file, follow the instructions on page 7 in the “Download and
Use the CPS Test Application and ISIR Files” section.

Create Your Own Application Data

If you prefer, you can create your own unique application data according to the record layout
specifications in the 2008-2009 EDE Technical Reference. If you choose this method, you must
manually check the ISIRs you receive.
To download the record layout specifications:
1. Go to the FSAdownload Web site.
2. Click Technical References and Guides.
3. Click Electronic Data Exchange Technical Reference, 2008-2009.
4. Right-click PDF Format next to “Record Layouts.”
5. Click Save Target As, choose a target folder for the document file, and click OK to save.
6. Open the saved file in the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 8

SSNs for Application Test Records
Each test record must contain a dummy Social Security Number (SSN). The first five characters of
this dummy SSN must be your destination point, or TG, number. This ensures the test data you are
submitting is unique to your destination point.
Note: To address the increased number of users requiring authentication for the Student Aid
Internet Gateway (SAIG), TG numbers can now contain a letter in the third position (after “TG”),
such as TGA0001. TG numbers containing letters will be assigned by Federal Student Aid. Users
with existing, all-numeric TG numbers, such as TG50001, are not affected by this change.
We recommend using the remaining four characters to number the records in sequence. Here are
some examples.

If your TG number is 79999, the SSNs of If your TG number is A0001, the SSNs of
your first five application records could be: your first five application records could be:
799990001 A00010001
799990002 A00010002
799990003 A00010003
799990004 A00010004
799990005 A00010005

You can create and transmit as many application test records as you want.
If you plan to submit multiple files of electronic applications on the same day, use unique dummy
SSNs for the students in all the files you submit on that day. Test records are cleared from the
database each evening, so you can use the same set of dummy SSNs again the next day. The CPS
runs the process once a day, excluding holidays and weekends.

School Codes for Application Test Records

A federal school code must be provided in the first school code position of each record. You
can include a school code in positions 2 through 6 if you choose.
For each record sent and processed, you will receive one ISIR back in one of the following message
classes:
TDAP09OP – Daily Application ISIRs initiated from your destination point
TGCO09OP – Daily Correction ISIRs initiated from your destination point
For message class names, see “Import Data to Your System” on page 10.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 9

Correction Data for Testing
For correction records, you must contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support to obtain the SSNs for a
series of test correction records that are already in the CPS test database. You can request up to 25
correction SSNs.
You can contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at:
800/330-5947
TDD/TTY: 800/511-5806
E-mail: [email protected]

If you are submitting multiple corrections for your assigned correction IDs in a single day (whether
in different batches or in the same batch), you must use the same Federal School Code in the
correction for that SSN. The Federal School Code is located in field 50 (positions 549 to 554) of the
electronic correction record layout in the 2008-2009 EDE Technical Reference.

2. Export Data from Your System

When your test data is formatted according to the specifications in the “Record Layouts” section of
the 2008-2009 EDE Technical Reference, transmit the data through the SAIG using these message
classes:

Applications TAPS09IN
Corrections TCOR09IN

The CPS processes the records it receives once a day, usually in the morning.

3. Import Data to Your System

After the CPS processes your test application files, it returns the data to your SAIG mailbox. The
data is identified with these message classes:

Application ISIRs TDAP09OP

Correction ISIRs TGCO09OP

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 10

If your input files contain data outside of the CPS processing specifications, the CPS will not process
your files. Instead, associated error files are placed in your SAIG mailbox for you to retrieve. The
data is identified with these message classes:

Application errors TAPE09OP

Correction errors TCOE09OP

Section 4 of the 2008-2009 EDE Technical Reference, “Processing Codes,” can help you resolve the
errors you receive in these files.

4. Review Test Results

Each school uses different systems and has different reasons for testing. You can conduct testing at
your convenience, and the results are for your use only. Testing is optional; ED does not require it.
The CPS Test System is a tool for you to use to ensure that your processing system interfaces
properly with the CPS.
If you used:
• The CPS test input file and changed only the SSNs, you can check your results with the CPS
test ISIR file. Both the test input file and the test ISIR file are available at the FSAdownload
Web site.
• The CPS test input file and changed the SSNs and other data in the file, you must check the
resulting ISIRs manually.
• Data you created using the 2008-2009 EDE Technical Reference record layouts, you must
check the resulting ISIRs manually.

Match Data
The match agency data on the test ISIRs is simulated data. It does not compromise any student’s
Privacy Act data.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 11

State Agency Testing

Steps for State Agency Testing

1. Download Test ISIRs

State agencies can test their systems by downloading a file of test ISIRs from the Federal Student
Aid Download (FSAdownload) Web site, located at fsadownload.ed.gov.

To download the file of test ISIRs:

1. Go to the FSAdownload Web site.
2. Click Technical References and Guides.
3. Click CPS Test System, 2008-2009.
4. Click Text Format next to “Electronic Application Test Data.”
5. Select File, Save As from your browser’s menu bar and choose a location for the file.
6. Click Save.
7. Click Open to unzip the file, or click Close to close the dialog box and unzip the file later.

2. Conduct Tests as Needed

After downloading the test ISIR file of approximately 3,000 records, you can use the test data as you
choose. Since testing is not required, you can conduct the testing at your convenience.
Import the data into your system and review it to ensure the data is displayed correctly and used
appropriately by your system.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 12

Match Data
The match agency data on the test ISIRs is simulated data. It does not compromise any student’s
Privacy Act data.
See “Getting Help” at the end of this guide for technical support information.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 13

Web Demo Site

What is the Web Demo Site?

This Web site (fafsademo.test.ed.gov) offers demonstration versions of the FAFSA on the Web,
FAA Access to CPS Online, and ISIR Analysis Tool Web sites. It offers most of the features of the
production versions of the sites, except that no data is processed. On the Web Demo site, you can
perform the functions listed below.

FAFSA on the Web

• Complete and submit a sample FAFSA
• Make corrections
• Check application status
• Sign applications electronically
• Search for Federal School Codes
• View and print SAR information

FAA Access to CPS Online

• View and print processed student data
• Apply signatures to records in a signature hold status
• Compare ISIRs
• Enter applications and make corrections
• Use the Verification Tool
• Request ISIRs
• Calculate and manage the return of Title IV funds

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 14

ISIR Analysis Tool
• Review ISIR data
• Analyze a Title IV applicant population
• Generate standard and ad hoc reports

The site serves as a tool for financial aid administrators to demonstrate FAFSA on the Web to
students and parents. Financial aid office staff can also use the site to learn about FAA Access to
CPS Online, as well as FAFSA on the Web.
Preloaded test data is available for demonstrating pre-filled FAFSA on the Web and Corrections on
the Web. Test student IDs and PINs are available for pre-filled applications and corrections.
FAA IDs and PINs are available for logging in to the FAA Access portion of the Web Demo site.
For the ISIR Analysis Tool demo, 500 test ISIR records are preloaded.
All entered data is cleared from the database each evening. The site is unavailable on Sundays from
6 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT due to regularly scheduled maintenance.

System Requirements

The system requirements for the Web Demo site are the same as for the FAFSA on the Web and
FAA Access to CPS Online production sites. For specific information, select the Browser
Requirements link in the “Before Beginning a FAFSA” section on the FAFSA on the Web Demo
site.

Accessing the Web Demo Site

The Web Demo site is password-protected. When you enter the site, a login box appears.

For the User Name (case-sensitive), type: eddemo

For the Password (case-sensitive), type: fafsatest

Click OK. The Welcome page appears. You can find test IDs and PINs on this page.

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 15

Getting Help

Sources of Assistance
Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)

You can get help with the FAFSA on the Web Demo site by contacting the FSAIC at:
800-4-FED-AID (800-433-3243)
TDD/TTY: 800/730-8913

Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT,
Saturday (excluding federal holidays)
You can also contact Customer Service by e-mail at this address:
[email protected]

CPS/SAIG Technical Support

You can get help with the FAA Access to CPS Online Demo site by contacting CPS/SAIG Technical
Support at:
800/330-5947
TDD/TTY: 800/511-5806

Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

You can also contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support by e-mail at this address:
[email protected]

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 16

FSATECH

This listserv provides a forum for users to ask technical questions and exchange ideas about the
technical EDE process related to processing financial aid.
For information on how to subscribe for access to the listserv, along with information on how to post
and receive messages, go to FSATECH on the Schools Portal Web site at:
ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/services/fsatechsubscribe.html

October 2007 CPS Test System User Guide 17