Using this form to request a new CommonLine℠ Code(s):

If you know the code that you wish to use out of your organization’s assigned block, please enter that in the code field.  The code name is the name that you want associated with the code to display in the code lookup. The description is additional identifying information that will be placed in the code table for display in the individual code view.

Code Types

Alternative Loan Program Code: Three-digit alphanumeric codes that are used by lenders of alternative/private loans in field 96 of @1 records in CommonLine℠ 4, field 98 of CommonLine℠ 5, and tag for CommonRecord:CommonLine℠.

Non-FFELP Guarantor Code:Three-digit alphanumeric codes that are used by guarantors of alternative/private loans in field 75 of @1 records in CommonLine℠ 4 and CommonLine℠ 5, and tag for CommonRecord:CommonLine℠.

Service Provider Code: Six or eight-digit alphanumeric codes that are used as the Source ID for those organizations that do not have a six-digit code assigned by ED.

Non-ED Assigned Lender ID: Six-digit numeric codes reported to / registered with NCHER as a means to alleviate multiple entities from using the same lender code. Codes should not begin with a 7, so as to not confuse them with FFELP Servicer Codes.

Please research the code you wish to register to ensure that it is not already in use using our CommonLine℠ Code Lookup in the section above and include the six-digit code in your request. NCHER does not determine these codes for you. 

A Note About Lender Codes and Non-ED Assigned Lender IDs:

Since CommonLine was originally developed for FFELP Loans, the fields in the file layouts populated by this code were assigned by the Department of Education to lenders participating in the FFELP program. These six-digit LenderID codes all began with an 8. A handful of marketing codes were also in use by lenders as “dummy codes” (now known as Non-ED Assigned Lender ID (Alt Loans)) and were assigned by lenders and were registered with NCHER (actually named NCHELP at the time) using the first digit of a 5, 6, or 9. ED assigned six-digit servicer codes to loan servicers. These six-digit codes began with a 7. Private education loans at the time typically used the lender code that a lender used with their FFELP loans or sometimes the lender created a Non-ED Assigned Lender ID (Alt Loans). Again, these codes began with a 5, 6, or 9.

Since then, private education loans have become the sole user of CommonLine and the need for Non-ED Assigned Lender ID (Alt Loans) has grown. Non-ED Assigned Lender ID (Alt Loans) are not assigned by NCHER, rather it is the responsibility of the Lender (or their assigns) to register a six-digit code with NCHER after researching using our CommonLine Code Lookup in the section above to determine if the code to be registered is already registered by another entity or is already in use. This registration process serves as a means to alleviate multiple entities from using the same lender code.

These are the only codes that are assigned / registered by NCHER. Your organization must be an NCHER member to have codes changed or assigned

Please do not request FFEL LenderIDs (LIDs) using this form. NCHER does not assign or maintain FFELP Lender or Servicer Codes. Please contact the U.S. Department of Education for the most recently updated list or to request these codes at https://www.fp.ed.gov.

If the service provider that you are looking up is not in the dropdown list, please choose FFELP Lender Code for non-NCHER member or FFELP Servicer Code for non-NCHER member to make your search.

When requesting codes, please remember that you ***MUST be a current NCHER full or CommonLine℠ Standards member*** to assign new codes, to change names on existing codes, or to register codes out or a previously assigned block. All assigned code blocks are forfeited if NCHER membership is not kept current.

NCHER will contact you to confirm your request and to issue your code(s). If you need to contact us with additional information about your code request, please email us at requests@ncher.org.

Please login before requesting CommonLine Codes.

The SOC Issues Tracking Database is a record of issues reported through the online issue reporting process regarding the CommonLine℠ and CAM (Common Account Maintenance) documentation. This database is cumulative, intending to capture a history of all issues discussed by the SOC Advisory Teams. An issue may be a proposed text change to the document, a question concerning the content or intent of the document, or a conceptual change to a process. Some changes are minor in nature, requiring no discussion by the SOC Advisory Teams. These would include small cosmetic changes (like typographical errors) or direct answers to straightforward questions. This type of issue is not included in this database. The Issue Tracking home page has the most up to date corrections to the CommonLine℠ and CAM file specifications.

An issue may be a proposed text change to the document, a question concerning the content or intent of the document, or a conceptual change to a process.

NCHER Issue Log resolutions are just as enforceable as if the text appears in the documentation manuals for those organizations that require it.

Please complete all fields and provide as much information as possible. This information will assist the Standards and Operations Committee Teams in formulating a response to your issue. All issues and questions will be assigned a tracking number for you to use in obtaining the current status and resolution of your issue.