Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP) Knowledge Base

Knowledge Base

  • Data Files 28 Articles

    Data files are how you submit your institution’s data to the PDP. Learn how to create and format data files, submit data, and update previously submitted data.

    • Creating & Formatting Data Files 11 Articles
      • Creating a Data File
      • Formatting a Data File
      • Formatting the Header Record
      • Formatting the Trailer Record
      • Formatting the Column Header Record
      • Formatting the Cohort File Detail Records
      • Formatting the Course File Detail Records
      • Formatting the Financial Aid File Detail Records
      • Sample Data Files
      • Data File Templates
    • Submitting Data 11 Articles
      • When to Submit Data Files
      • Submitting Data Files through FTP
      • Submitting Data Files through API
      • Reviewing Submissions
      • Reviewing Validation Errors
      • Certifying Submissions
      • Rejecting Submissions
      • Reviewing Data Quality Errors
      • Overriding Data Quality Errors
      • Recertifying Submissions
    • Updating Data 6 Articles
      • Updating Previously Submitted Data
      • Formatting an Update File
      • Formatting the Cohort Update File Detail Records
      • Formatting the Course Term Update File Detail Records
      • Formatting the Course Update File Detail Records
      • Reviewing Update Results
  • Managing Your Account 3 Articles

    • Student Insights Dashboard 1 Article
      • Opting In or Out of the Student Insights Dashboard
    • Sharing Data with Third Parties
    • About the Secure Portal
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  • How the PDP Helps You 2 Articles

    • About the PDP
    • Case Studies
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  • Working with Dashboards 19 Articles

    When you submit data to the PDP, we use it to populate dashboards. Learn about the different dashboards that are available and how to use them.

    • General Dashboard Information 4 Articles
      • Filters and Dimensions
      • Key Performance Indicators and Critical Data Elements
      • Using the Dashboards
      • Using the Dashboards to Check Data Quality
    • Dashboard Details 15 Articles
      • First Year Credit Accumulation Rate Dashboard
      • First Year Credit Completion Ratio Dashboard
      • First-Year Enrollment Dashboard
      • Outcomes Dashboard
      • Retention and Persistence Dashboard
      • Retention and Persistence Term-to-Term Dashboard
      • Time to Credential and Credentials Conferred Dashboard
      • Transfer Dashboard
      • First Year Gateway Course Completion Dashboard
      • Outcomes Benchmarking Dashboard
  • Using the Analysis-Ready Files 5 Articles

    When you submit data to the PDP, we use it to populate analysis-ready files. Learn about the different analysis-ready files that are available and how to read dthem.

    • Course-Level Analysis-Ready File Data Dictionary
    • Financial Aid Analysis-Ready File Data Dictionary
    • Analysis-Ready File Templates
    • Cohort-Level Analysis-Ready File Data Dictionary
    • Using the Analysis-Ready Files
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  • Resources 3 Articles

    Links to PDP resources and information.

    • Valid State Codes
    • Valid Country Codes
    • Get Help
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Help Topics

  • Managing Your Account
    • Student Insights Dashboard
  • Data Files
    • Creating & Formatting Data Files
    • Submitting Data
    • Updating Data
  • How the PDP Helps You
  • Working with Dashboards
    • General Dashboard Information
    • Dashboard Details
  • Using the Analysis-Ready Files
  • Resources

Useful Links

  • - PDP Website
  • - PDP Service Updates
  • - PDP Tutorials
  • - Get Help

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