**Questions and Answers regarding**

# The 2004 ISIR Analysis Tool Requirements

The following is a list of commonly asked questions regarding the
2004-2005 ISIR Analysis Tool Requirements.

1.  From what population do I draw my sample?

> **Answer**: Schools should restrict their sample to those students who
> are eligible for need-based aid at their institution. That is,
> students who have an EFC lower than your school's total cost of
> attendance. For further sampling guidance please reference your
> Session 12 Guide on Sampling and the web based Sampling Worksheet
> provided to you at [http://www.edoceon.com](http://www.edoceon.com/).

2.  Can my school supplement its sample of all students who are eligible
    for need-based aid by adding additional records from a
    sub-population (e.g., Pell Eligible) or other population (e.g.,
    students not eligible for need-based aid)?

> **Answer:** Yes, but schools will have to identify which records are
> part of their required sample and which records are part of a
> supplemental group by using a user-defined field.
>
> Schools are reminded that the online version of the Tool will only be
> able to analyze 500 records at a time. If schools want to analyze
> records from their required and their supplemental samples at the same
> time they will be limited to supplemental sample sizes of
> approximately 150 (350 required records + 150 supplemental records =
> 500 limit).

3.  Do I need to certify my ISIR Analysis Sample?\
    **Answer:** NO. In the past, we did require the sample to be
    certified. This step has been eliminated for 2004-2005.

4.  I know I need to do Federal Verification for the ISIR Analysis
    Sample, but do I need to get additional information like in the past
    (W-2's, Number in College verifications?)\
    **Answer:** No. However, like any other participating Title IV
    institution, you can do so if you choose.**\
    **

5.  What is a valid ISIR?\
    **Answer:** An ISIR with an official EFC.

6.  Do I complete both the ISIR Analysis Sample and institutional
    verification for 2004-2005?\
    **Answer: YES\
    **

7.  In order to use the ISIR Analysis Tool in 2004-2005, I will need to
    indicate that I will be using the tool in the Participation
    Management System. How do I access the Participation Management
    System?\
    **Answer:** You will need to access the web site to enroll your
    school. You will then indicate that you will be using the ISIR
    Analysis Tool **at** the web address:
    <http://www.fsawebenroll.ed.gov/>.**\
    **

8.  What do I need in order to create or obtain a flat SSN File to
    upload the right ISIR's into the online version of the Tool?\
    **Answer:** A flat ASCII file consists of the original SSN, and the
    original first two letters of the last name**.** You may also
    specify the transaction number if you want. Your systems staff can
    create this file for you or you can create it in any word processing
    program as long as you save the file as a "text file."

9.  Will there be additional training to assist us with how to use the
    analysis component of the tool?

> **Answer:** YES, we plan on holding several training opportunities at
> the regional training facilities in Boston, DC (?), Atlanta, and
> Seattle when Phase 2 of the tool is released in October of 2004. Phase
> 1 of the ISIR Analysis Tool, will be available in June 2004. At this
> phase, you will be able to bring in your initial and paid-on ISIR
> records into the tool database as well as validate your records.

10. How will I access the ISIR's?\
    **Answer**: (1 you need to indicate on the Participation Management
    System that you will be using the 2004-2005 ISIR Analysis Tool. (2
    You will write the Flat ASCII file that provides the original SSN,
    original first two letters of the last name and transaction number
    you want. (3 There will be a function within ISIR Analysis Tool web
    application to submit the SSN file. (4 Within 24 hours the requested
    ISIRs will be uploaded into the Tool from the data mart or you will
    receive an error statement in your SAIG mailbox if there was an
    error processing your request. Additional details and demonstration
    will be provided in writing and in subsequent training
    opportunities.

11. How do I indicate which ISIR records in the sample would have been
    subjected to institutional verification?\
    **Answer**: There will be a pre-defined field in the user-defined
    data to use for identifying cases that meet your institutional
    verification criteria.

12. Do I conduct a sample in 2005-2006?\
    **Answer**: NO. However, we do expect QA Program schools to import
    500 records that met your institutional criteria from 2005-2006 and
    analyze your results of institutionally selected students.

13. Who do I call if I have additional questions? **\
    Answer:** Your Regional Representatives: Michael Cagle,
    206-615-2586, Holly Langer-Evans, 617-565-6192, or Francine Reeves,
    404-562-6289. Or you can send an email to: <qualityassurance@ed.gov>