AFSA Data Corporation Sets a New Standard in Service Delivery Capability: Higher Edge - A Suite of Web-driven Products and Services for Higher Education.

Business Editors

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 2000

AFSA Data Corporation has put the finishing touches on a new series of advanced administrative solutions for higher education. With much anticipation from college and university administrators, AFSA introduced Higher Edge(TM), a suite of sophisticated web-driven products and services for higher education. "With Higher Edge(TM), we have launched a new era of service delivery capabilities for schools and students," stated Steven E. Snyder, AFSA's President. "AFSA now has a technologically advanced suite of services that is the most comprehensive available in the industry. This allows us to offer our customers the ultimate in choice from a foundation of current web-based systems."

AFSA sought input from numerous college and university professionals, as well as leading software development companies in creating the Higher Edge(TM) suite. It consists of five major product lines with additional products to be added in coming months. Said Ron Florini, Executive Vice President at AFSA, "All of the Higher Edge(TM) products incorporate the latest in web technology, and are developed to meet a specific range of needs for higher education while prioritizing choice and customization capabilities. The products are designed to speed efficiency of service for schools, facilitating communication and information retrieval in a real-time environment."

"Self-service web-access with 24-hour convenience is becoming a must, especially for students and borrowers," Snyder said. "At AFSA, we recognized this some time ago, and committed ourselves to developing real solutions for our customers which would utilize the most current web technology. Not only do Higher Edge(TM) products focus on alleviating administrative work loads and improving the level of service for schools, but they are a great benefit to students and borrowers who also want to transact business and access information when and where they choose."

The current suite of Higher Edge(TM) products includes:

AppWorks(TM) - a revolutionary electronic platform that provides schools and students with a web-based delivery system for FFELP and Alternative loans. It enables schools and their students to directly access and update loan data in real time, and in a secure environment. With unparalleled interface to the ELM network, CommonLine compatibility and interface with proprietary school systems, AppWorks(TM) provides schools unprecedented choice in loan processing options and partners.

Campusoncall(TM) is a customized web portal for colleges and universities that gives students the ability to retrieve essential information and communicate with campus administrators using the school's internet or intranet site. It provides on-line entrance and exit interviews, and supports student access to loan and other aid activity over the enrollment period. Campusoncall(TM) enables disparate university systems to be linked and securely accessible as part of the school's web site.

e-CBSL(TM) - AFSA's innovative campus-based loan and receivables management services for Perkins, Health Professions, Nursing and Institutional loan programs. e-CBSL(TM) utilizes a web-based platform called eCommand(TM), providing a wide range of services to support campus administrators in managing default rates and receivables. Business office administrators can quickly and easily navigate the fields and screens to access loan information in real time. Drop-down menus and help screens also provide fast access to a variety of useful data as well as a virtual on-line user manual.

TCRS(TM) - AFSA's Tax Credit Reporting Service, offers students and school administrators secure web-based access to 1098-T information, along with detailed financial information to assist taxpayers in claiming their tax credits related to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.

e-Service - an array of web-based services for students and borrowers, allowing secure data inquiry and transaction processing for critical student loan data via the web. Thousands of students will use e-Service tools to communicate with AFSA and their school.

AFSA will officially launch its new Higher Edge(TM) suite of products at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators conference July 9 - 12 in Washington, D.C., and at the National Association of College and University Business Officers conference July 22 - 25th in Chicago, Illinois.

AFSA Data Corporation is the nation's most experienced student loan management company servicing a portfolio of more than 7 million borrowers in the Federal Perkins, Federal Family Education and Federal Direct programs with a value of more than $67 billion. As a wholly owned subsidiary of FleetBoston Financial, a $187 billion diversified financial services company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, AFSA distinctively combines the resources of a leading financial institution with a management team bringing decades of experience in the student loan servicing industry. For more information, please visit AFSA's new web site at www.afsa.com.