# Presentation: 730651

## Session 29

- Financial Aid Professionals (FAP) Portal and Beyond
- Marcello Rojtman

**Notes:**
Identify yourself and provide the title (Financial Aid Professionals (FAP) Portal and Beyond) and session number (29) of the presentation.

## Objectives

**Online Resource tools**
**Financial Aid Professionals -FAP Portal**
**Information for Financial Aid Professionals - IFAP  **
**List Serve**
** ****FSA Tech**

**Notes:**
Overview and Objectives of the presentation 

## Online Resource Tools

- Access Required to FSA Financial Aid Professionals (FAP) Portal and IFAP
- Federal Register/Vol. 62 No.182 9/14/1997 Notice
- Usage of FAP Portal and IFAP
- FSA FAP Portal -  over 10 Thousand Visitors a week
- IFAP – Over 100 Thousand Visitors a week** **

**Notes:**
 Why do I need IFAP and the FAP?
 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 182 / Friday, September 19, 1997 / Notices 
             “In accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR 668.16(o)...July 1, 1998 ................................. 1. Access to the ‘‘Info for Financial Aid Professionals’’ website or the Student Financial Assistance Bulletin Board System (SFA BBS).
508-section accessibility – all content on FAP & IFAP is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Many of your colleagues are use this tool.

## Financial Aid Professionals Portal http://fsa4schools.ed.gov

**Financial Aid Professionals Portal**** **http://fsa4schools.ed.gov

**The four parts of the Portal**
- Masthead
- List of Links
- FSA Calendar
- FSA Headlines

**Notes:**
 Provide a definition the FAP Portal
 Gateway to FSA information for Federal Student Aid Professionals
 I has four parts to it the Masthead, List of links, Calendar and Headlines ( interactive slide click four times to highlight each area)

## FAP Portal -- Masthead

**FAP Portal -- Masthead**

- The Masthead contains the following links:
** ****Search** for simple or advanced search
-  **My FSA** for a customize look
**Other Links**  to access FSA related web sites
**Help Center** to access HELP,  FAQs, Contacts,  Suggestions, Got a Question, About us
**Feedback**  to** **send questions and comments
**Privacy  **Privacy Disclosure  statement
**IFAP **– Online library

**Notes:**
2.1. Masthead –the menu across the top of the web page. 
2.1.1. Home – Goes to the default FAP portal web site
2.1.2. Search – Goes the advance search web page
2.1.3. MY FSA – Goes to the login or registration (Sign UP for My FSA) page so one can customize the list of links on FAP Portal web page. 
2.1.4. Other Links – Goes to links and description of Federal Student Aid related web sites.
2.1.5. Help Center
2.1.5.1.              HELP – Goes to a general help page
2.1.5.2.              FAQs – Goes to the general guidance about the FSA FAP Portal. The FAQ web page covers much of the information presented in this presentation. 
2.1.5.3.              Contacts – List All FSA Customer Service Centers
2.1.5.4.              Suggestions - Goes to the online School Portal Calendar Suggestion Request Form. How to use it and how to send an update to FSA (demo)
2.1.5.5.              Got a Question – Send a message to the CSCC mailbox from your mail server. This will have your email address information since your mail server will be sending something to our email server. 
2.1.5.6.              About us – Goes to a web page that describes the FSA Customer Service Center office that maintains both the FSA Schools Portal and IFAP web sites
2.1.6. Feedback – A form to submit questions or feedback.
2.1.6.1.              Note that the only required field is the “Please provide additional comments:” field. Hence on can submit feedback anonymously.
2.1.6.2.              The message is being sent from our sever to our mail server.  So your email address is not retained.  We do not know who sends the comments unless they provide the information on the form. 
2.1.7. Privacy – States the FSA Privacy Policy of the web site. 
2.1.8. IFAP – Goes to the FSA Virtual Library for Student Aid Professionals (more on this later)

## FAP Portal – List of FSA Links

- Three categories:
_**Resources and Training**__:_
- Reference materials and training opportunities
_**FAA Access to Student Data:**_
- Student Application and Disbursement Information
_**Participation and Funding:**_
- School Application and  Disbursement Information

**Notes:**
2.1.  List of links
2.1.1. Resources & Training 
2.1.1.1.              Links to general resources such as IFAP – Online library, Training and conference information and other resource available to schools. 
2.1.2. FAA Access to Student Data
2.1.2.1.              Links to system that contain Student data such as FAFSA, NSLDS and the student award/disbursement data system for Pell, Direct Loan, and Campus-Based programs know as COD. 
2.1.3. Participation & Funding
Links to systems such as e-payment (GAPS), eZ-audits (for submitting your financial statements and compliance audits.) Ecampus based are but a few systems that ensure your school can maintain is eligibility to title 4. 

## FAP Portal – FSA Calendar

- FSA Calendar Records:
- FSA Events
- Deadlines
- Training
- NPRMs

**Notes:**
2.1.    Calendar 
2.1.1. Default view is that of what is happening today. 
2.1.2. Sort the view to just by Events, Deadlines, Training and NPRM for today
2.1.3. Select the calendar to view everything that that happening that month
2.1.4. You can also sort to see just Events, Deadlines, Training and NPRM. 
2.1.5. Select a day to see what is happening that day. 
2.1.6. What’s New see what was just (within the last 14 days) added to the Calendar

## FAP Portal – FSA Calendar

- View **all Categories** in **a month**

**Notes:**
Example by month

## FAP Portal – FSA Calendar

- View just **one category** in **a month**

**FAP Portal – FSA Calendar**

**Notes:**
Example of month filtered by category

## FAP Portal – FSA Calendar

**FAP Portal – FSA Calendar**

- View **all categories** in **a day**

**Notes:**
 filtered by a certain day

## FAP Portal – FSA Calendar 

- View **one** **category** in **a** **day**

**Notes:**
Example of a day filtered by category

## FAP Portal – What’s New 

- View the newest calendar items

**NEW**

**Notes:**
Shows what was added to the FSA calendar within the last 14 days. 
You can also received an Web Feed for this web page. 

## FAP Portal – FSA Calendar Case Study

- A FAA from the University of Miami is coordinating a training session for the Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. She was instructed that the training should not conflict with the Department of Education training in Region 4 or in the State of Florida.
- How can she confirm 12/16/2007 is a good date to have the training?

**Notes:**
Navigate to December 2007 on the FAP Calendar and look for a conflict.
Select 12/16/2007 to see what is occurring on that day.  

## FAP Portal – Search

-  Basic Search
- Type Phrase or Word
- Select the “Advanced” link for Advance Search

**Notes:**
2.1.     Search – on FAP – Global search across FSA Web sites
2.1.1. Type phrase or word to search.
2.1.2. Select the search button to view advanced search options

## FAP Portal – Search

-  **Advance Search**
** **
**Type Key phrase or Word**** **
**Select Area **
**Select “Search Now”**

**Notes:**
Example of the FAP Advance search form. 
Key word search
Control results page by number of results that appear one page, control the relevance and if you like to see a summary
Select web pages to be searched by ( ctrl & click)

## FAP Portal – MY FSA

-  MyFSA
- My FSA Links
- MyBookmarks
- Change Password
- Logout

**Notes:**
MyFSA is personalization for the FAP Portal

2.1.    My FSA  -- describe it. Tell how to Register.  Tell how to set it up.  
2.1.1. Add a tip: MyFSA last as long as your browser  (i.e Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape)` session last 
Encourage feedback about the FAP Portal and if you would like to see more detailed examples into the FAP portal stop by the PC lab for some on hands exercise. 
User Name:NYC
Password: --

## FAP Portal – MY FSA

- Register to
- Customize the
- FAP Portal

**Notes:**
Tell how to Register.  Tell how to set it up.

## FAP Portal – MY FSA

- I would like to be able to personalize the FAP Portal.
- How would she begin?

**Notes:**
From the FAP Portal Masthead select MY FSA link then select the register link 
Complete the registration form and select submit
A user id will appear on the screen. 
Send any questions to ifap@ed.gov

If you want to log into My FSA use the profile below...
User Id:NYC 
Password: 2007Demo!

## FAP Portal – FSA Headlines

-  FSA Headlines:
-  “FSA News”
- “FSA Policy and Rule Change”
-  Selecting the “More” link allows one to view previous FSA Headlines

**Notes:**
Very import area to visit at least once a day to see the latest FSA News and recent Title 4 Policy changes. 
Past headlines are available by selecting  the “More” Link.

## FAP Portal –FSA Contact

-  The FSA Contact List is a service directory for the FSA community.

**Notes:**
2.1.    FSA Contact - Quick list of FSA Service Centers
2.1.1. Description of each FSA Service Centers

## FAP Portal –FSA Contact Case Study

- Max from the University of Baltimore Needs assistance processing  Funding Adjustments on ACG and National SMART Grant.
- Where should Max find were to go for help?

**Notes:**
1.0 FAP home page > contacts (link appears under the Resources & Training at the very bottom) 
1.1 The contacts link will open the Federal Student Aid Customer Service Centers
 web page. 
1.2 Then select 4. COD School Relations Center on the Federal Student Aid Customer Service Centers
 web page. 

## Objectives

**Online Resource tools**
**Financial Aid Professionals - FAP Portal**
**Information for Financial Aid Professionals - IFAP****  **
**List Serve**
** ****FSA Tech**

**Notes:**
Let’s now talk about IFAP

## Information for Financial Aid Professionals – IFAP      http://ifap.ed.gov

- Online library for Student Aid Professionals.
- Most up to date guidance to manage the  Federal Student Aid Programs.

**Notes:**
2.       IFAP - Information for Financial Aid Professionals – IFAP
2.1.    In general what is IFAP? 
2.1.1. It’s your online FSA library for student financial aid professionals. 
2.1.2. It provides the latest news and information for student financial aid professionals to do their jobs. 
It provides archived information for student financial aid professionals. Some content goes over 10 years! 
FAP and IFAP is Seamlessness  – doesn’t know where FAP ends. 

## IFAP –Three Areas

**IFAP –Three Areas**

-   Masthead
-   Web Pages and Functions
-   Categorize
- Popular Publications/Web pages

**Notes:**
2.1.    Provide a description of the Information for Financial Aid Professionals 
2.1.1. Masthead
2.1.2. Gray links – expand when selected Navigational Bar
2.1.3. Orange Links - List of Frequently Requested Web Pages

## IFAP – Masthead

- _Help Center_ – Customer Service Call Center contact information, FAQ and more.
- _What’s New_ – List publication that have are no more then 14 days old.
- _Other links_ – Links to FSA related web sites.
- _Feedback_ – form to send Questions and comments.
- _FAP_ – link to the FAPPortal.

**Notes:**
2.1.1. Masthead
2.1.1.1.              Help Center
2.1.1.2.              What’s New 
2.1.1.3.              FAP Portal
2.1.1.4.              Other links
2.1.1.5.              Feedback
Privacy 

## IFAP – Web Pages and Functions

- Search – Simple, Advanced Search and About this search
- Other Views – Current, Archived and By Topic view of Publications.
- FAP Portal Features – Links to FSA
- FAP Portal
- Member Services – Setting Email Notification and More
- RSS – Web Feed
- Download Plug-ins and Viewers – readers for PDF, MS Word, MS Excel and More

- New

**Notes:**
2.1 Gray links – expand when selecting Navigational Bar
2.1.1 New Google Search 
2.1.1.1 keyword box
2.1.1.2 Advance search form
2.1.1.3 search help
2.1.2 Other Views include:
2.1.2.1.              Current publication 
2.1.2.2.              Content  Archives
2.1.2.3.              Publications by Topic 
2.1.3 Portal Features include
2.1.3.1.              Portal 
2.1.3.2.              Conference Web Site 
2.1.4 Member Service register or login ( not the same as MyFSA)
2.1.5 RSS  Web Feed
2.1.6 Download Plug-ins and viewers library

## IFAP - RSS Web Feed

- Receive the latest IFAP content links to your aggregator of choice within hours

**Notes:**
Example of RSS web aggregator that received IFAP web feed. – MY Yahoo

## IFAP – Categorize Popular Publications And Web Pages

- Short cut
- to the
- Most Popular Publications

**Notes:**
2.1.1. Orange Links - List of Frequently Requested Web Pages
2.1.1.1.              Identify where Regulations are, it is a GPO site, we save time effort and avoid duplication by linking directly to GPO-  
2.1.1.2.              DPCLs
2.1.1.3.              Electronic Announcement
2.1.1.4.              FSA Handbook 

## IFAP – Current FSA Publication

- Last three years of Publications
- Archive View for Older Publications

**Notes:**
Current FSA publications is an alphabetical list of all publication types with descriptions.
Current means within the last five years
Archived publications would be older then three years. 

## IFAP – Publications by Topic

**View IFAP’s content through an index.**

**Notes:**
Publications by topic list topics and the publication that fall under those topics. 

## IFAP – What’s New

**Notes:**
 “What's New”   It is all the publications that have been updated within the last 14 days of postings
RSS feed comes from this web page. 
You can also register to member services from this web page. 

## IFAP – Help Center (FAQ)

**Notes:**
General guidance can be found at the help center web page.

## IFAP – Member Service

- Notification of new content
- Update Member Service Profile
- Register to access
- Different from MyFSA

**Notes:**
2.1.1. Member Service  -- describe it.
2.1.1.1.   Tell how to set it up.... Detail on how to update email notifications, password, etc.  
 Add a tip: Member Service last as long as your last session. Your user name stays with you but you can activate and inactivate at will. (demo) 

## IFAP – Member Service -- Registration

- Select Member Services
- Select Click Here to Register
- Complete the IFAP User Registration form and select the Submit Registration Button

**Notes:**
Tell how to Register.

## IFAP – Member Service  Subscription Service

- Weekly

- 48 Hour

**Notes:**
Examples of subscription 48 hours or the Weekly ( default setting)

## IFAP – Member Service Case Study

- Max has a new job. He would like to make sure his member service profile is updated with his new information.
- How does Max update the IFAP member service profile?

**Notes:**
IFAP Member Service Case Study
Max got a new job working for FSA. He would like to make sure his member service profile is update with his new information. 
How does Max update the IFAP member service profile?

Answer: log into member services and select update profile. One can update everything but one’s name.  

User id: MAX1
Password: 2007Demo  

## IFAP – Search Engine

**IFAP –** **Search Engine**

- Search all IFAP Content
- Sort Results By Date or Relevance
- Blue Status Bar

**Notes:**
IFAP search will search only the content store within IFAP only. 
Use Keywords
It will accept some acronyms:  SAP

## IFAP – Advance Search Engine

- Filter by Year
- Filter by Publication
- Control Results

**Notes:**
Example of the Advance Search form

## IFAP – Searchable FSA Handbook

- New

**Notes:**
New Special search for just the FSA Handbook.  
“Current” will search only the current version of the handbook
“All years” will search all years of only the handbook

## Enhancements for IFAP and FAP Portal

- Redesign
- Implementing the latest web technology
- Design for an ease of use

**Notes:**
Redesign of both IFAP and FAP is currently occurring. 
Navigation
Look and feel
Signal sign-on
Synthesis the characteristics FAP and IFAP to one IFAP web site. 
It not too late to submit your suggestions of your like and not like. 

## Both the FAP Portal and IFAP web sites provide timely information to the Financial Aid Community regardless of time of day. 

**Notes:**
The web communication team is always on call to make sure you receive the latest news in a timely manner

## Objectives

**Online Resource tools**
**Financial Aid Professionals - FAP Portal**
**Information for Financial Aid Professionals - IFAP****  **
**List Serve**
** ****FSA Tech**

**Notes:**
Now let talk briefly about  FSA TECH

## Listserv - FSA TECH

- For technical questions about FSA systems, software, and mainframe products. Answers are researched by FSA systems developers and sent to everyone on the listserv.
- To Sign up for FSA Tech or Change FSATECH Digest Options: _[http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/services/fsatechsubscribe.html](http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/services/fsatechsubscribe.html)_
- For Assistance E-mail at  _[webcommunications@ed.gov](mailto:webcommunications@ed.gov)__ or call 1.800.433.7327 if you have any questions_

**Notes:**
2.       FSA TECH
2.1. Describe it
2.2. Topics are very technical in nature. 

## Online Resource tools
Financial Aid Professionals - FAP Portal
Information for Financial Aid Professionals - IFAP  
List Serve
 FSA Tech

**Financial Aid Professionals - FAP Portal**
**Information for Financial Aid Professionals - IFAP  **
**List Serve**
** ****FSA Tech**

**Summary**

**Notes:**
Review what was discussed

## Please join us in the PC Lab for further discussion, questions, or demonstrations.

- IFAP and FAP Portal:

**Notes:**
2.    Asking a Question
2.1. Web Communications office is Responsible for both FAP and IFAP web sites. 
2.2. Web Communications office is prepared to provide timely information to the Financial Aid
2.3. Community regardless of location, time or happenstance.
2.4. Assist with Passwords resets and User id issues.  
2.5. Encourage feedback to us and other FSA offices/ FSA web sites
2.6. Highlight our email address WebCommunications@ed.gov

Remember to talk to us some more at the PC lab.

## Questions and Comments

**Questions and Comments**

**IFAP and FAP Portal:**

**Notes:**
Any questions/ suggestions/ comments ?

Enjoy the rest of the conference thank you!