FAFSA issues with the school

Long story short I have two last names in my ssn and my school has not been able to match with my fafsa account. I’ve made so many corrections, however, I recently got told that my first last name is supposed to be in the middle initial box. (last names don’t fit in the last name box) my second last name ends up missing one letter and makes it seem as if I’ve misspelled it. How should I deal with this problem?

Did you get a FSA ID using the double name? If so, that’s how SSA has your name with your SSN. If you can’t get a FSA ID, you may need to go to the SSA and get it straightened out. It’s hard. You’ll have to take the documents you have - birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc., and get the name entered as you want it to read.

Have you filled out a tax return? If so use that. Otherwise I’d suggest you call FAFSA and ask for their help.

You need to find someone at the school who deals with technical issues - not everyone in an aid office understands this stuff. If your FAFSA passed the SSN match, I assume you put your entire last name in the last name section of the FAFSA. This means the issue lies with your school, not the FAFSA. They are the ones who need to figure out how to match your FAFSA with the name your school has on file. You may need to push when you call/visit the school, but there will be someone who can help you. Keep asking until you get that person.

This is a pretty common issue for those of us with two last names. I had to get my congress person’s “taxpayer advocate” to straighten out the mismatch between SS and the IRS (let the good times roll!). The issue can come from anywhere, but the school is the most likely culprit.