[ctcLinkfinaidsupport] Important FA notice - Cal SAI button to be removed by 9/12; do not use

[Ana Ybarra]

Dear colleagues:
A recent Department of Education (ED) decision has had significant impacts on Washington's community and technical college financial aid clients (i.e., college FA staff).
ED recently announced it will not accept ISIR corrections for the 24/25 aid year.  See announcement:  (GENERAL-24-96) Update on Batch Corrections for Institutions via the Electronic Data Exchange, Flexibilities, and Additional Support for the 2024-25 FAFSA Cycle<https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2024-07-30/update-batch-corrections-institutions-electronic-data-exchange-flexibilities-and-additional-support-2024-25-fafsa-cycle>
Our college FA clients are habituated to select the "Calc SAI" (Calculate Student Aid Index) button while performing file review or making changes to a student ISIR to get the most accurate SAI for awarding purposes.
Unfortunately, the SAI formula itself from PeopleSoft is still incorrect, so our college clients should not select "Calc SAI" button on the Correct ISIR Records page.
Additionally, in some cases, incorrect data populates in other fields on the page when the button is selected.
We have already received several tickets on this issue and will likely receive more until we hide the button.
What needs to change and why
SBCTC ctcLink Support has determined it needs to hide the "Calculate SAI" button on the "Correct ISIR Records" page for most FA clients, because selecting the button causes inaccurate data to be populated.
Only FA directors will have the capability based on security roles.
SBCTC intends to leverage Page and Field configuration by assigning director-only security roles for the Correct ISIR Records page to afford only director's the ability to select the button under special circumstances.
ED has provided guidance, which we have consistently echoed, that unfortunately clients will have to go to the FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP) to see accurate data, which causes an undue work burden.
Timeline
This change needs to live in the ctcLink Financial Aid production environment before fall term.
As of today, the goal is no later than Sept. 12, but we are aiming for Sept. 9, 2024.
This matter qualifies as a bug fix considering the Department of Education's challenges and Oracle's inability to rectify the SAI calculation button.
Because it requires immediate attention, it does not require a separate enhancement request and form.
What should colleges do until the fix is made?
Until the "Calc SAI" is removed, college financial aid staff are asked to please not select that button.
We will have more specific details on which FA security roles will be applied to Calc SAI button, and more details about our testing within the next few days, early next week. Stay tuned.


Peace be with you,


[Title: SBCTC logo - Description: Compass]Ana Ybarra, MA
Associate Director Campus Solutions - Financial Aid
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
* o: 360-704-1024

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