Creating Flat ASCII Files and Uploading Records Training Developed by the QA Program Team
Training Objectives Identify Population to Upload into the ISIR Analysis Tool for Create and Upload a Flat ASCII file to bring records into the ISIR Analysis Tool Review ISIR Analysis Tool Calendar of Activities
Have you heard? Preparation is everything
Population to Analyze A Sample of Records that Met Your Institutional Criteria
Prepare Flat File of Verified Records 1.SSN 2.First Two letters of the last name (CAPS) 3.Initial Transaction 4.Paid on Transaction 5.Y (to indicate the record met your verification criteria) or blank space MA0105Y LA EV0106Y Length: 16 Character Field
Creating Flat ASCII Files File with BOTH transactions File with only ONE transaction File with NO transactions
File With BOTH Transactions Flat ASCII File Introduce the New Policy and Procedure Assessment
Upload Your Data
Build/Rebuild
File With BOTH Transactions
Random Sample
No Random Sample
Locate Your Flat ASCII File
Upload File
ISIR Data Confirmation
Data Validation
Data Validation Confirmation
Current Status
File With Only ONE Transaction Initial Transactions Paid-On Transactions
Locate Your Flat ASCII File
Don’t Forget …
File with NO Transactions Create a flat file with just SSN and First two letters of the last name No blank spaces needed at the end of file Length: 11 Character Field
File With NO Transactions
Auto Load Initial Step 1: Prepare and Upload Paid-On Transactions into the tool. Step 2: Use Auto Load Initial feature to bring in the initial transactions
Auto Load Paid-On Step 1: Prepare and Upload Initial Transactions into the tool. Step 2: Use Auto Load Paid-On feature to bring in the Paid - On transactions
Don’t Forget …
Institutional Verification Flag
QA Program Requirements for Using the ISIR Analysis Tool Upload and Validate Records Analyze Data Provide Institutional Verification Criteria to regional Representative
Getting Ready for Upload and Validate Random Sample Analyze Sample Data Provide Institutional Verification Criteria to regional Representative
Timeline of Activities for the ISIR Analysis Tool January – September 2010 Pull random sample, verify records in sample, and verify applicants that meet your verification criteria. May 2010 Latest Version of IA Tool on the Web October 2010 Prepare flat file, upload data; November through December 2010; January 2011 Analyze Data; FSA collects school data; Notify QA Rep. of institutional verification criteria
QA Program Resources QA Program Website - QA Program Listserv - Send to to subscribe to the QA Program listserv QA Program Mailbox – QA Program Training - Information for Financial Aid Professionals - Team Building Website -
QA Regional Representatives Regions 1, 2, and 5 – Holly Langer-Evans – (617) Regions 3, 4, 6 & 7 – Anne Tuccillo – (202) Regions 8, 9, and 10 – Michael Cagle – (206)
What We Have Learned Preparation Needed For Creating Flat ASCII Files How To Create and Upload a Flat ASCII File ISIR Analysis Tool Calendar of Activities