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PDP Knowledge Base > PDP Service Updates > Exciting Updates & New PDP Knowledge Base

Exciting Updates & New PDP Knowledge Base

Sep 10, 2025

Exciting updates from PDP! You’ll now get earlier access to academic year data, a brand-new Six-Year Outcomes dashboard, and a redesigned knowledge base coming soon. Plus, a smoother data submission experience is on the way with a new intake platform launching in November. Don’t forget to check out the key submission dates and tips to keep your data accurate and dashboards up to date.

Latest Product Updates

  • Now Available! Additional Academic Year Data in Analysis-Ready Files: Our Analysis-Ready (AR) files now include the most recent academic year data. Previously, we waited until the full academic year was complete before adding it to your AR files — this update gives you earlier access to valuable insights.
  • New Dashboard! Six-Year Outcomes: The PDP has partnered with the American Association of Community Colleges to bring you the Six-Year Outcomes dashboard, which mirrors some of the outcomes previously available in the Voluntary Framework of Accountability (VFA). You can access it by selecting “Six-Year Outcomes” from the dropdown menu at the top of the Outcomes dashboard. Learn more about the Six-Year Outcomes dashboard.

Note: Unlike the main Outcomes dashboard, the Six-Year Outcomes dashboard focuses solely on student activity strictly at the cohort institution. It does not track outcomes that occur at other institutions after transfer and is limited to cohorts that have completed six full academic years.

Coming Soon: A New & Improved PDP Knowledge Base

We’re excited to share that a redesigned PDP knowledge base is launching in the coming weeks! The new site features a more intuitive, user-friendly layout that makes it easier to find the information you need — fast. You’ll also benefit from:

  • An updated and expanded FAQs
  • Improved search functionality
  • Content updates to better support your PDP experience

Stay tuned for more details — we’ll be sharing updates soon!

Looking Ahead! New Data Provider Intake Platform Launching Mid-November

We’re excited to announce that in mid-November, the PDP will release a new and improved data intake platform designed to make submitting data to the National Student Clearinghouse easier than ever. The new platform will feature:

  • A modern, user-friendly interface
  • Clearer error and warning messages
  • Enhanced data quality checks
  • Faster feedback on your submissions

Best of all, this update will eliminate the need for you to submit data for PDP through your Clearinghouse FTP account.

To ensure a smooth transition, we encourage you to submit any spring or summer data well before the mid-November launch of the new intake process. Watch for more details, training options, and opportunities to preview the new process.

2025-2026 Effective Dates & Submission Windows

Each academic year, the Clearinghouse uses four effective dates to update enrollment and degree data, generate updated analysis-ready (AR) files, and refresh your PDP dashboards. To learn more, see “When to Submit Data Files.” Here are the 2025-26 effective dates:

  • September 26, 2025
  • November 14, 2025
  • February 27, 2026
  • June 26, 2026

These effective dates serve as “snapshots” of the postsecondary enrollment and degree data against which we use your certified data submissions to calculate and generate the PDP’s AR files and dashboards.

  • Current PDP data providers: If your institution already submitted Course and Cohort files for the fall term, you may begin submitting spring and summer term data starting September 1, 2025.
  • New data providers: If you’re new to PDP and haven’t yet submitted historical data, we recommend you do so and include spring and summer term data in your submission.

General Data Submission & Processing Information

As a friendly reminder, students submitted through the PDP must also have been submitted by your institution to our Enrollment Reporting and DegreeVerify services. These services provide the national enrollment and outcomes data that form the foundation of PDP. Submitting complete and consistent data across these services will help us in our continued effort to improve matching within the PDP and significantly improve the accuracy and value of your PDP results.

Processing Timelines

  • Institutions that certified their PDP data submission at least two weeks before the respective effective date will receive updated AR files and dashboards within 30 days of the effective date.
  • Institutions submitting data after the respective effective date will receive updated AR files and dashboards within 30 days of certifying their PDP data submission.

Important Notes

  • Our goal is to provide dashboards within 30 days of the effective date or the certification date (if data is submitted after the effective date). However, processing times may be delayed during peak periods.
  • Additional data quality checks, which are performed after the degree and enrollment data matching process, can reveal data discrepancies that may require you to re-submit data to ensure the best quality outcomes. If your institution is required to re-submit data, your dashboards will be available within 30 days from the most recent certification date.