EDExpress vs Portico CORE
EDExpress
fsapartners.ed.govPortico CORE
porticoedu.comSide by side
| Figure | EDExpress | Portico CORE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Financial Aid Management Software | 7.7 (#5) | 7.8 (#4) |
| Purpose | EDExpress is a PC application that processes, packages, and manages Title IV student financial aid records. | Portico’s suite supports enrollment, financial aid, recordkeeping, accreditation, and student success for career-focused institutions. |
| 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. | Portico directs existing customers and students to request product support and lists 1.844.848.5332 and [email protected] as contact details. |
Plans
Portico CORE
- Portico Financial Aid Software (formerly Campus Ivy CORE)Priced 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.
Portico CORE
Portico CORE is the financial aid component of Portico Financial Aid, designed to automate processing and support compliance for career schools. Its workflows import ISIRs, verify documents, package awards, process disbursements, and track them without manual re-entry. CORE identifies applicable loan limits and applies grandfathering logic based on packaging and expected graduation dates. It also offers loan controls by program, tracks enrollment transitions, and reassesses loans automatically when enrollment thresholds are crossed. The web-based software runs in the cloud and requires no installation. It connects with Department of Education systems including COD, NSLDS, and Clearinghouse, and supports links to most SIS/ERP platforms through API or FTP. Listed SIS integrations include Anthology, Orbund, Verity, Maestro, Diamond, CampusLogin, and Populi; Stars supports exports only. Portico says its financial aid software is regularly updated to align with federal, state, and institutional policies and includes audit-ready reporting. Schools may use the software in-house or request managed services and project support. Pricing is on request and per-student, scaling with the school.