NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - New Student Identification File Rules

Dear Colleagues,

As you are aware, HESC is implementing new rules regarding the elimination of award recipient Social Security Numbers on all school files, effective with the 2019-20 academic year and thereafter. Effective July 1, 2019, HESC will no longer transmit school files containing student social security numbers. Files will now contain the student's school identification number and college code, along with other demographic data such as name and/or date of birth.

Student ID Collection File and Information Session
Beginning in May, and culminating on June 12th, HESC and the NYS Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) informed colleges of the pending Student ID Collection file, which will be used to seed student IDs of existing award recipients into HESC's systems. This file (HE9751) has now been sent and is available in HESC's web file transfer system.

To assist colleges with the transition to student IDs, ITS will be hosting a WebEx meeting on July 8, 2019 at 10 a.m. to both address questions regarding the Student ID Collection file and share information regarding the Credit Verification File and Student Status Listing (SSL).

File Layouts and File Types
In response to several requests, ITS will allow for the transmittal of .csv files to those schools who want to be set up to receive and transmit files using this format. This format will only be available to those schools who request it. To request this option, please contact: Data Exchange at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

HESC will also be eliminating the Abbreviated SSLs effective the end of July 2019. Schools receiving the Abbreviated SSL must select from the SSL-Full or Comprehensive SSL Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and indicate which SSL you would like to receive.

Questions and Answers
Click here to view Q&As responding to questions submitted by schools regarding the NYS DREAM Act and the transition to Student ID numbers. Additional responses will be added as they become available.