NSLDS FA History Request
Purpose: Use this document as a reference on how to process a NSLDS FA History request using ctcLink.
Audience: Financial Aid staff.
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is a centralized source for a student's federal aid history. Schools can request NSLDS data and incorporate key elements into the awarding and packaging routines. NSLDS data is sent to schools on the ISIR, on a financial aid history request, or based on a transfer- monitoring request. You can view NSLDS data loaded using the NSLDS Inquiry components, designed to match the NSLDS file structure.
You must have at least one of these local college managed security roles:
- ZD FA NSLDS Prcs
- ZZ FA NSLDS Prcs
If you need assistance with the above security roles, please contact your local college supervisor or IT Admin to request role access.
Navigation: Financial Aid > File Management > NSLDS > Process NSLDS Request
- The Process NSLDS request search page displays.
- Enter existing or create the Run Control ID.
- Select the Search or Add button. The NSLDS Request page will display.
- On the NSLDS Request page, create the financial history request.
- Complete the following fields in the Parameters section:
- Institution
- Aid Year
- School Code
- Branch Code
- File Path - Tip! Copy the File Path from the Upload Download page to minimize keystroke errors. (See tutorial video below).
- Under Population selection:
- Verify the Population Selection checkbox is checked.
- Choose PS Query from the Selection Tool drop-down menu
- Query Name: CTC_FA_SB_NSLDS_SUSP_FAH_REQ (Note: Can be used to pull in FA History on students with suspended ISIR’s).
- Select Edit Prompts and enter the following on the Query Prompts page:
- Institution
- Aid Year
- Select the OK button to close the window and return to the NSLDS Request page.
- Under Request Type choose the ‘Financial Aid History only’ radio button.
- Optional: You may select the Preview Selection Results link to see which students will pull in this request.
- Select the Run button. This creates the Process Instance number. Make note of this for reference for the Process List page.
- Select the Process Monitor link. This opens the Process List page.
- Select the Refresh button until the process runs to Success and Posted.
- The next section demonstrates the validation process to verify the file was created.
Validate the TRNINFIN.xx File Was Created
- Navigate to the Message Log and verify the file was created.
- Verify that the details in the Message Log file states that the NSLDS Request file <file path name used above> TRNINFIN.## successfully created. Sample message: "NSLDS Request file /CSTRANSFER/WA140/NSLDS2024/TRNINFIN.01 successfully created."
- Note the TRNINFIN.xx file created to use during the Upload/Download process - you will download this file to create a compatible file to send out through EdConnect.
When the TRNINFIN file is created it always creates the file in sequential order for the day. (Example: Trans Monitor TRININFIN1 and FA History TRNINFIN2)
That means that the TRNINFIN file is being overwritten on the server each time the file is generated, so you will not see more than one file on the server for a single institution unless they generated more than one file in a single day.
Video Tutorial
The video below demonstrates the process actions described in steps listed above. There is no audio included with this video. Select the play button to start the video.
Video Tutorial via Panopto
View the link to NSLDS FA History Request. This link will open in a new tab/window.
