2026–27 ISIR Multi Layout Support for Pre and Post OBBB

As part of the federally mandated One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) changes, the ISIR file layout and processing within Student Financial Aid (SFA) have been significantly revised for the 2026-2027 cycle. These changes include updates to field formats, introduction of new fields, increased/enhanced data validation, and related system enhancements.

ISIR File Layout Changes:

  • Field Length Increases: Several numeric and academic year fields now support larger byte sizes for data accuracy and compliance.
  • Field Format Updates: Some field content values (e.g., TEACH Grant and loan-related fields) are now strictly validated as Numeric.
  • New Data Fields:
    • Added new fields to support OBBB provisions including updates for Workforce Pell and new Loan Limits.
      • Update introduces a new ISIR Version Flag field to differentiate ISIR file formats before OBBB versus after OBBB.
    • Field numbers for the remainder of the record layout were adjusted to account for new fields.
  • Filler Fields: Adjustments include both increases and reductions in filler length across various segments.
  • Changed/Added Enums: New enumerations have been defined for the added ISIR fields.

ISIR File Loading:

  • Backward Compatibility: ISIR Load functionality now supports both pre- and post-OBBB 2026-27 ISIR formats.
    • To determine if the ISIR file is pre-OBBB or post-OBBB SFA will use the new ISIR Version Flag field (position 193)
      • Blank is a pre-OBBB ISIR
      • If there is a 1, the ISIR will be considered a post-OBBB ISIR and will parse using the new file format

Updates to Configuration:

  • Groovy Binding Updates
    • Added new enum values for newly introduced ISIR fields; these are now available for Groovy scripting.
    • ISIR field rename support (15 fields): The updated ISIR format includes 15 renamed fields. If your configuration references any of these fields, please note the following behavior:
      • Legacy field enums: Continue to apply to pre-OBBB ISIRs only. Groovy logic referencing legacy enums will not execute when a post-OBBB ISIR is received.
      • Renamed field enums: Apply to post-OBBB ISIRs only. Groovy logic referencing renamed enums will not execute when a pre-OBBB ISIR is received.
  • Configuration Workbook updates
    • When referencing an ISIR field in a workbook (e.g., ISIR_DISCREP), the associated logic executes only if the incoming ISIR includes that exact field. As a result, pre-OBBB ISIRs will not trigger workbook logic tied to post-OBBB-only field names (including new or renamed fields).

Comment Codes:

  • New Comment Codes
    • The Department of Education introduced 14 new OBBB-related Comment Codes (339–352).
    • At this time, the Department has not specified any required actions for these new codes. Until additional guidance is provided, these Comment Codes are configured to Auto Clear.  
      • It is suggested that you manage students impacted by these new comment codes manually.

ISIR Corrections:

  • While there were no changes to the ISIR Correction Record layout as part of the OBBB updates, a new field can now be corrected:
    • ISIR field "Enrolled in Eligible Workforce Program Indicator" can be corrected to the following valid field content
      • 1 = Yes, student is enrolled in an eligible Workforce Program
      • 2 = No, student is not enrolled in an eligible Workforce Program

UI Impacts:

Both pre- and post-OBBB ISIR files render and display correctly within SFA, supporting seamless transition for users. The following new and updated fields will display within ISIR UI as well as the popup window after clicking on the ISIR from the Packaging UI. 

New Fields and Display Locations

Field Name

Valid Content

Display Section

Placement (Under…)

ISIR Version Flag

Blank = Reserved for FSA

1 = OBBBA Updates

ISIR Information

 Minimum Pell Indicator

Enrolled in Eligible Workforce Program Indicator

1 = Yes, student is enrolled in Workforce Program

2 = No, student is no longer enrolled in Workforce Program

Blank

ISIR Information

Verification Selection Change Flag

NSLDS Loan Limit Exception Flag

Y = Borrower meets the exception criteria and is eligible for the previous aggregate loan limits

N = Borrower does not meet the exception criteria and is eligible for the new aggregate loan limits

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS TEACH Grant Loan Converted to Loan Flag

NSLDS Disbursement Date Flag

Y = Borrower has a loan disbursed on or after 07/01/2026

N = Borrower has no loans disbursed on or after 07/01/2026

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Loan Limit Exception Flag

NSLDS Aggregate Parent PLUS Loan Total

Numeric

N/A

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Aggregate TEACH Graduate Disbursement Amount

NSLDS Lifetime Maximum Loan Total

Numeric

N/A

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Aggregate Parent PLUS Loan Total

NSLDS Graduate Combination Loan Limit Flag

C = Close to or equal to limit

E = Exceeded limit

N = No problem

R = Exceeded loan limit and reaffirmed debt

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Pre-OBBBA Grad/Professional Combined Loan Limit Flag

NSLDS Professional Combination Loan Limit Flag

C = Close to or equal to limit

E = Exceeded limit

N = No problem

R = Exceeded loan limit and reaffirmed debt

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Graduate Combination Loan Limit Flag

NSLDS Parent PLUS Loan Limit Flag

C = Close to or equal to limit

E = Exceeded limit

N = No problem

R = Exceeded loan limit and reaffirmed debt

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Professional Combination Loan Limit Flag

NSLDS Lifetime Maximum Loan Limit Flag

C = Close to or equal to limit

E = Exceeded limit

N = No problem

R = Exceeded loan limit and reaffirmed debt

Blank

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Parent PLUS Loan Limit Flag

Renamed Fields

Old Field Name

New Field Name

Display Section

NSLDS Graduate Subsidized Loan Limit Flag

NSLDS Pre-OBBBA Grad/Professional Combined Loan Limit Indicator

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Graduate Combined Loan Limit Flag

NSLDS Pre-OBBBA Grad/Professional Combined Loan Limit Indicator

NSLDS Information

NSLDS Pell Lifetime Limit Flag

NSLDS Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used Limit Indicator

NSLDS Information

State of Legal Residence

State of Residence

Student Information

State of Legal Residence

State of Residence

Parent Information

Legal Residence Date

Date of Residence

Student Information

Legal Residence Date

Date of Residence

Parent Information

Received EITC

Received EIC

Student Information

Received EITC

Received EIC

Parent Information

Student State of Legal Residence Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Student State Residence Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Student Information

Student Legal Residence Date Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Student Date of Residence Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Student Information

Student Received EITC? Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Student Received EIC? Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Student Information

Parent State of Legal Residence Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Parent State of Residence Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Parent Information

Parent Legal Residence Date Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Parent Date of Residence Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Parent Information

Parent Received EITC? Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Parent Received EIC? Correction, Highlight, and Verify Flags

Parent Information 

Reporting Impacts:

  • Reporting View Updates:
    • ISIR_FIELDS_ALL_V2_VW will be updated to include new and renamed ISIR fields.
  • Backward Compatibility:
    • If any of your reports include ISIR fields that have been renamed, and you are still using the old field names in your report columns, please be sure to update them to reflect the new ISIR field names.

ISIR API Updates:  

  • The FasIsirInformationReply and the FasValidIsirProcessStatusInformation (Event and Reply) messages now includes a new field (ISIR Version Flag) that indicates the Department of Education Version Layout for 2026–2027. 
    • FasIsirInformationReply
      • Within the xs:complexType name="IsirInformationRecordType">  an ISIR Version Flag element is now returned after the AwardYear for post-OBBB ISIRs.  A value of 1 indicates a post-OBBB ISIR; the element is not included for pre-OBBB ISIRs.
    • FasValidIsirProcessStatusInformation (Event and reply)
      • Within the xs:complexType name="IsirInformation"> an ISIR Version Flag element is now returned after the AwardYear for post-OBBB ISIRs. A value of 1 indicates a post-OBBB ISIR; the element is not included for pre-OBBB ISIRs.

Business Value

The ISIR OBBB Updates enable institutions to remain compliant with new federal regulations, ensure accurate financial aid processing for the 2026–2027 award year, and provide a seamless transition for users during a period of significant regulatory change.

Here's the demo of these capabilities:

Steps to enable and configure

Use the Opt In UI to enable this feature. For instructions, refer to the Optional Uptake of New Features section of this document.

Offering: Student Financial Aid

  • Update Configuration Scripts:
    • Review baseline configuration for ISIR processing  posted on Cloud Customer Connect, and update your configuration as needed.
      • To get started, ensure that "Configuration Administration" Permission is enabled and download your existing configuration from Oracle Student Financial Aid within Administration > Configuration Administration > Download.
        • This configuration will include the pre-populated system data relevant to support 2026–27 ISIR Multi Layout Support for Pre and Post OBBB, which you can then update as needed.
        • The following workbooks were updated in baseline to automate support of new codes.
          • ISIR_C_CODES
      • If you updated your configuration, navigate to Administration > Configuration Administration, and upload your zipped configuration
  • Update Reporting:
    • If any of your report includes any ISIR fields that have been renamed, and you are still using the old field names in your report columns, please be sure to update them to reflect the new ISIR field names.
  • Update Integrations:
    • If you are using either FasIsirInformationReply and the FasValidIsirProcessStatusInformation API messages, ensure your integration is updated to leverage the new ISIR Version Flag field as needed.
  • Enablement of ISIR file formats:
    • If you are not already loading 2026-27 ISIRs into SFA (support delivered in 25D), once thorough testing has been completed, you can enable the files in the Admin UI.
    • Within Administration > DOE File Management UI, enable award year–based file formats.
      • IDAP27OP, IDSA27OP, IGSG27OP, IGSA27OP, CORR27IN, IGCO27OP, CORE27OP, EAPR27OP, SIGA27OP

Tips and considerations

  • Potential Logic Customization Needed: We do not expect that you will need make customization from our delivered ISIR baseline configuration, however you should review and update any system or business process configurations that leverage ISIR fields to accommodate and make use of the new or modified ISIR data elements.
  • Update Reporting and Integrations: Review and update any custom reports, data extracts, or third-party integrations that rely on ISIR fields to ensure compatibility with new and renamed fields, and validate that existing functionality continues to meet business needs.
  • Monitor Unspecified Action Needed for Comment Codes: At this time, the Department has not specified any required actions for new comment codes. You should use the following query to find ISIRs that include any of the new Comment Codes and manage them manually until further guidance is published:
    • SELECT record_id, school_student_id, transaction_number, award_year, active_isir_for_award_year, comment_codes 
      FROM FASRPT.isir_fields_all_v2_vw 
      WHERE REGEXP_LIKE (comment_codes, '(*)(339|340|341|342|343|344|345|346|347|348|349|350|351|352)(*)') 
      AND award_year IN (2027)  
  • Test Early and Often: Conduct thorough testing with both pre- and post-OBBB ISIR files to validate data loading, display, and reporting accuracy.
  • Update Training & Documentation: Revise user guides and training materials to reflect new and renamed fields, ensuring staff are aware of any changes in field names or locations

Key resources