Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0c Launches as CPS and FAA Access Are Decommissioned

This year has ushered in a range of updates that will enhance how system managers can process federal aid, with some changes already implemented and other set to take effect in Spring 2025. Below is a summary of the most important changes that financial aid offices can expect in COD and the FAFSA Partner Portal moving forward:

FAFSA Partner Portal Reminders

• The Central Processing System (CPS) and the FAA Access to CPS Online website is being decommissioned now that the 2023-24 award year has closed.
• As a reminder, beginning with the 2024–25 award year, the FAFSA® Processing System (FPS) has replaced the CPS and the FAFSA Partner Portal has replaced FAA Access
• The “Demo of FAFSA Partner Portal Corrections” webinar is also available for additional guidance through the FSA Training Center
• The Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System functionality that will support the processing of Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) awards for the 2025–26 award year

Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System Updates

• In conjunction with this implementation, we will begin using a new version of the COD Common Record Extensible Markup Language (XML) Schema in Spring 2025. The new schema version is 5.0c
• All 2025–26 Common Record documents must be sent using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0c. All 2025–26 Common Record responses will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0c
• Unsolicited system-generated responses for all award years will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0c
• COD web activity responses for all award years will be sent by the COD System using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0c
• All available school reports, including data requests, will continue to be sent in formats other than XML
• Validation for all Common Record files against the published COD Common Record XML Schema

Supporting Documents

• 2024-25 FAFSA Partner Portal
• 2025-26 FAFSA Partner Portal 
• 2025-26 FAFSA Specifications Guide, Volume 1 – Summary of Changes
• COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0c

SOURCES:

• (APP-24-11) Decommissioning of CPS and FAA Access
• (COD-24-07) COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0c Now Available