Enhanced NSLDS Date Validation for Title IV Funds

This update allows institutions to configure the allowable age of NSLDS data when determining eligibility for Title IV funds, replacing the previous hardcoded 30-day limit with a customizable window using the Days_Between_FAH_File_Requests setting (including an additional five-day buffer). This applies to all Title IV fund codes: Pell, FSEOG, TEACH, DSUB, DUNSUB, and PLUS.

  • Example: If you configure the FAH file to be requested every 195 days, the system will determine that a student must have a FAH/TSM file less than 200 days old (195 days + 5-day buffer) in order for Title IV funds to progress from “Projected” to “Estimated” status.

This flexibility is critical in light of the timing risks associated with the 2026-27 award year, as ED is planning an accelerated April 26, 2026 go-live for COD, NSLDS, and FPS updates, while final specs are still pending. Increasing the allowable days helps reduce operational risk and supports uninterrupted aid awarding during periods of federal system transition or potential instability.

Business Value

Gives you greater control over NSLDS data requirements, minimizing award disruptions and manual intervention during times of federal system transition or data uncertainty.

Steps to enable and configure

Use the Opt In UI to enable this feature. For instructions, refer to the Optional Uptake of New Features section of this document.

Offering: Student Financial Aid

  • Update Configuration Scripts:
    • Review your existing configuration for Days_Between_FAH_File_Requests, and update your configuration as needed.
      • To get started, ensure that "Configuration Administration" Permission is enabled and download your existing configuration from Oracle Student Financial Aid within Administration > Configuration Administration > Download.
        • Update Days_Between_FAH_File_Requests within SCHOOL.csv based on your institutional policy.
    • Once you've updated your configuration, navigate to Administration > Configuration Administration, and upload your zipped configuration

Tips and considerations

  • Potential Logic Customization Needed: While we do not expect that you will need make customization from your existing configuration, review and update the Days_Between_FAH_File_Requests configuration to reflect your institution’s standard award processing cycles based on ED's targeted timelines.
    • Why increase your window? Extending your NSLDS refresh/request window gives you a stable buffer during the April 26 cutover, reducing dependence on frequent, potentially unstable file pulls when the new federal specs and systems are introduced.
    • Default safeguard: To help protect production environments during the cutover, Oracle plans on 4/25/2026 to disable automatic loading of NSLDS FAH/TSM files into Production for any customer environment that has not already made independent changes to its intake process, unless the institution has explicitly requested otherwise through a logged Service Request (SR). Refer to SFA 26B TEST First Cutover Guidance + Release Timing Update for ED’s 4/26 FPS/NSLDS/COD Transition
  • Precautionary Steps: To mitigate the risk of federal processing changes, take the following steps outlined in OBBB ED Update Timing Risk (Potential 4/26 Go Live): Steps to Protect Packaging & Data Integrity
    • Accelerate outreach to students who have not completed the 2026–27 FAFSA: We strongly recommend contacting students immediately to encourage completion so your institution receives a 2026-27 ISIR prior to April 26. Having a 2026-27 ISIR on file supports timely packaging and reduces dependency on post go live file stability.
    • Ensure NSLDS requests are triggered before the cutover by 4/26: Receipt of an ISIR will also trigger NSLDS processing requests, helping you obtain stable, pre-cutover NSLDS data to support awarding for your student population.
    • Extend your NSLDS refresh/request configuration window: Consider extending your configuration for requesting updated NSLDS files by updating Days_Between_FAH_File_Requests within SCHOOL.cvs  (for example, from 25 days to 195 days) to reduce reliance on frequent pulls during the early post go-live period,
  • Processing Controls: The system will automatically prevent funds from progressing to “Estimated” preventing awarding if the NSLDS received date falls outside the configured window.
  • Applies Universally: These changes affect all Title IV fund codes. Please ensure that staff are aware of the revised processing rules and updated exception handling. Note that prior to 2026-27, NSLDS date validation was not applied to PLUS loans; however, under OBBB requirements, NSLDS data is now required to determine PLUS eligibility.

Key resources