Federal Student Aid (FSA) has announced the availability of a new online, self-paced training course designed to help institutions prepare for an important change coming to EDExpress for the 2027–28 cycle.
Beginning with 2027–28, EDExpress will require Microsoft SQL Server. The new course, “Connecting EDExpress 2027–28, Release 1.0 to SQL Server,” provides guidance on connecting EDExpress to SQL Server and preparing the database for the new processing cycle.
The course walks users through the new SQL Server-based setup process, including:
- How EDExpress detects, validates, and configures a SQL Server instance
- Creating the EDExpress SQL Server database for the 2027–28 cycle
- Setting an application password
- Initializing the database, including the option to use prior-year settings
FSA notes that although the training demonstration uses Microsoft SQL Server Express installed on a local PC, the concepts and procedures apply to users of any SQL Server edition.
The course is available through the FSA Training Center. After logging in:
- Select Systems Training from the main menu.
- Choose EDExpress.
- Select “Connecting EDExpress 2027–28, Release 1.0 to SQL Server.”
- Select “Start Here” to begin the course.
Users who do not already have an FSA Training Center account can create one from the login page.
Institutions that plan to use EDExpress for the 2027–28 award year should familiarize themselves with the new SQL Server requirements and consider having appropriate financial aid and technical staff complete the training ahead of implementation.
Read the full FSA announcement: ANN-26-24: Training Course – EDExpress 2027–28, Release 1.0: Connecting EDExpress to SQL Server