<p>I know this question was from two years ago, but we are having the same problem now, with our kids' name being 3 letters too long (19 letters, with only 16 spaces provided). I suspect that works fine for the FAFSA application itself, but not for trying to get a PIN to electronically sign the FAFSA application. We tried to get a PIN twice now, and got the same response, that there is a mismatch between last name we gave them and the last name on the social security card. We called the customer service line twice, and never got a clear or useful answer - more or less the sort of answer that is "what can I say to get your off the line?" Anyone else have luck with getting a PIN to electronically sign the FAFSA when last name is more than 16 letters? thanks</p>