Hello all,
I am transferring from a community college to a four-year school next semester. I have pretty much everything done - gotten my credit evaluation, my financial aid package, etc., and am just waiting for move-in day. My question is: if I change my name (I will be using my current last name as my middle name and adding my mother’s maiden name as my last name), will this affect my financial aid or registration at all? It’s a long story as to why I am doing this now, but basically after a long legal battle, this year is the first that I am allowed to change my name. I figured I would wait until I finished my last community college semester before I went through with the change instead of doing it before I applied to transfer.
I am planning to call my school’s financial aid office as well as the registrar next week, but I figured I would try for some input on here as well before I began the name-change process. Since I am leaving my last name somewhere in my full legal name, it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle with the school and financial aid, right?
Thank you for your time!
People change their names all the time. Should not be an issue at all.
My personal experience with this was that when the transition didn’t go smoothly, the school was easily able to fix what they needed fixed in their systems if I presented them documentation to verify what I’d done.
My experience with SSA/FSA was less positive. I don’t really have advice there, other than maybe to have SSA double and triple check all the new information as they make the changes for you.
@kelsmom doesn’t financial aid get matched up with SSN instead of names?
Make sure your correct name is on your SS number. Go to SS. Make sure they change it. Then make sure again. And I’m sorry to say this, it may still be an issue. Then when you file FAFSA and your taxes, make sure you use the EXACT name on file with SSA.
A friend who adopted her child 16 years ago just found out SSA had the wrong birthdate for the child. How did they find this out? Tax return was rejected.
@romanigypsyeyes @flatKansas @twoinanddone thank you all for your replies! I will keep everything in mind.
This may be a stupid question - but, since the school is private and I already have my FA package, do you think that the SS and FAFSA end will not matter as much in the long run? I know I have to file the FAFSA every year, so I will definitely make sure both are a priority nonetheless, I just don’t want to jeopardize my financial aid in any way because it was quite a generous package.
You won’t (shouldn’t) get any less in FA, it’s just that your FAFSA may not process if the SSN doesn’t match up. Your FSA ID is already issued. I don’t know if that will help or hurt with the matching.
You just need to leave a lot of lead time when filing your fafsa and follow up with your FA office to make sure everything is fine.
@falltransfer2017 Since everything is complete for this year, you’re right that it should have zero effect for this school year.
In my situation the problem came when I tried to get back into FSA/FAFSA after completing it the first time and after doing the name change. I can’t file the next year’s FAFSA because the system now thinks my name is wrong. I would recommend doing the name change as soon as possible so that you have maximum time to try to fix anything that goes wrong (before your FAFSA deadline for '18-19). I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Your situation is much more straightforward than mine, and your FA office can be a huge help if you have any bumps along the way!
Since you must file for FA in the future, if you change your name, you need to go to SSA and get a new SS Card. As @twoinanddone stated, you will have a problem getting financial aid if your name and SSN do not match up.
In addition, make sure that you get a corrected birth certificate with your new name (you will have to take the court documents to do this), along with new drivers license, state ID, Credit cards, passport, etc.
A problem could arise if you change your name and do not update your information with the school. You will have to provide your BC/SSN in order to change your school records to your new name. Your school records will most likely have both your new and former name.
If you into something that requires licensure, they will also request your former name.
You don’t update your birth certificate when you change your name. If you get a court ordered name change, take the order to the DMV and get a new license. You can also get your passport changed if you do it with a certain period. Then take your new license and the court order to SSA and change your name on your SS records. You don’t change things in the past like your birth certificate or your high school diploma.
In the future, you’ll put in your former name when a form asked “Other names you have used”
No way to tell if it will affect your files. You’ll have to work closely with the FA and admissions office to make sure the files get matched up to the new name. It will be a hassle but should be fine once it’s all done.