EDExpress vs Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid
EDExpress
fsapartners.ed.govEllucian PowerCampus Financial Aid
ellucian.comSide by side
| Figure | EDExpress | Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Financial Aid Management Software | 7.7 (#5) | 7.6 (#7) |
| Integration | EDExpress 2027–28 requires Microsoft SQL Server 2019 or newer and does not support other database systems or install SQL Server itself. | The solution sheet says PowerCampus Financial Aid utilizes College Board PowerFAIDS. |
| Purpose | EDExpress is a PC application that processes, packages, and manages Title IV student financial aid records. | PowerCampus Financial Aid is a customizable system that automates financial aid processing and is designed to help institutions manage aid and meet federal requirements. |
| Security | For EDExpress 2027–28, the Department says organizations must properly secure the SQL Server environment hosting student data and notes that SQL Server Express has limited security features compared with Standard or Enterprise. | Ellucian says its cloud services are ISO 27001:2022 certified and undergo annual SOC audits, with SOC reports available to customers. |
| Support | The FPS Help Desk supports EDExpress by phone at 800-330-5947 and email at [email protected], with listed office hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. | Ellucian offers support through its Customer Center and by phone; access to support cases and downloads requires institution approval and an active maintenance agreement. |
Plans
Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid
- Ellucian PowerCampus Financial AidPriced on request
In their own words
EDExpress
EDExpress is a Windows PC application provided at no charge to institutions processing Title IV student financial aid records. It handles Institutional Student Information Record data and supports packaging and management of aid records. For Common Origination and Disbursement workflows, it builds the required XML Common Record file, allows users to create or modify submitted records, imports responses, and provides reports. An automated comparison tool helps reconcile Federal Pell Grant School Account Statements against school data and identify discrepancies. The 2027–28 release includes Global, Application Processing, Packaging, and College Financing Plan functionality. In Release 1.0, Packaging and College Financing Plan are optional; Global and Application Processing install automatically. The software requires Microsoft SQL Server 2019 or newer, does not support other database systems, and does not install SQL Server. Office workstations can connect to a shared database in an organization's SQL Server environment. The Department offers the software as a single-file full download, with installation guidance in its Windows Installation Guide.
Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid
Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid automates financial aid processing for educational institutions and is designed to help them manage aid and meet federal requirements. The customizable system uses College Board PowerFAIDS and can track applications, maintain student records, calculate budgets, analyze need, and prepare individual or batch award packages. It can process and disburse funds, handle federal data, and generate financial aid emails, letters and customized reports. Compliance support includes processing ISIR and College Board CSSProfile data, FISAP reporting, FM Calculation, Pell Schedule updates and NSLDS transfer monitoring updates; Ellucian also lists PowerCampus support for 1098-T tuition statement reporting. Students can use the companion PowerFAIDS Net Partner portal to update profiles, accept or decline awards, and view application status, awards, messages and aid information. Ellucian describes web-enabled access on a Microsoft platform and lists cloud deployment. The product is aimed at small to mid-sized colleges and universities. Pricing is available on request.