<p>I was filling out my FAFSA for college admission, and was using my W-2 Tax Form as a reference, but then I saw that the place I am working at had listed my name as Ricky instead of Richard. The Social Security Number is the same, but the name is the only thing that's different.</p>
<p>I am wondering if this will delay or interfere with my FAFSA, especially since I intend to send colleges my tax forms. I do not want them to think Ricky is a different person than Richard...</p>
<p>My husband gets a lot of w2s in his line of work – a lot, like 10-15 every year. A few of them use the common nickname for his actual name (for example, “Jim” instead of “James” – which is not his actual name, but just as an example) and it’s never been a problem. Our tax return is still filed using his full legal name, but a few w2s use the nickname. We’ve filed taxes that way, FAFSAs, CSS Profile forms… and along with copies of our tax return, we have been required to send in copies of all his w2s. It’s never been a problem. It never occurred to me it could be. The social security numbers are the same, that’s the important part.</p>
<p>(Nothing to do with FAFSA, but if you file your taxes electronically, make sure to enter the w2 information exactly as it is printed on the w2 form – even if you use “Richard” for your 1040 form, enter the information for the w2 with “Ricky”. It will need to match the w2 as it was submitted by your employer. If you file on paper and send in your w2s, of course it’s a non-issue since they’ll have the w2 right there in front of them. --But again, this has nothing to do with FAFSA, and only pertains to e-filing of your income taxes.)</p>
<p>Your FAFSA would be compared (if necessary?) to your tax return. I assume you’ll use your full, correct, and legal name for your tax return. All w-2s, and the FAFSA will, of course, contain the same SS #. </p>
<p>But START NOW using one, legal name from now and forever. It avoids a LOT of this type problem in future. You can’t believe the number of messes that can arise, banking, travel, credit, etc.</p>