So I know I waited till the last minute to have my parent sign the FAFSA, but I didn’t really expect this issue. It turns out my parent’s SSN is registered under their previous last name that does not match the information I filled out on the FAFSA because their last name is different now. If I have them sign the FAFSA with the FSA ID as it is now, is that ok? Or will it block me because the last name on the FSA ID doesn’t match my given information? If anyone has any suggestions that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Did your parent get the FSA ID under the correct name? Why not use that name?
I say yes, it will be a problem and the parent should fix the name with the SSA if it is wrong (taxes can also be rejected if the SSN and name don’t match).
I was with my mother at the SSA the other day and they almost didn’t let her benefits go through because she didn’t have a copy of her marriage certificate. She’s 83 and has been married for 64 years. A friend just went to SSA to sign up for benefits and her SSN was still under her maiden name. Again, married over 40 years. Switching things at SSA is frustrating.
The FSA ID is under their old name because it had to match their social security number. But on my FAFSA form it is their new name. Do you think if I just swap it all to the last name on her SSN/FSA ID that it would work? I just really cant have her change her SSN this late unfortunately.
I would suggest using the name on the FAFSA that matches the SSN. In the case of a parent, a name shouldn’t impact anything other than the data match. Then please have her get her name changed with SSN - she will have lots of issues if she does not do that. If you have issues, you’ll need to provide the school with documents so they can establish that your mom is actually the person with that SSN and name. I have had to do this with students who get married/divorced - as long as I retain adequate documentation, all is good.
Agree, use the name that matches the SSN and the tax return. Then get the SS name corrected. Decades ago, my tax return was rejected because I got married and had not changed my name with SS. Fixed that fast!
Direct and marital social security benefits can be major and you don’t want anything to mess that up.
This will make you all chuckle. I totally know how to spell my first and last names. I put them correctly on each of my kids’ FAFSA forms with my SS for many years.
When I applied for SS, my first name was indicated as being spelled differently by the SS administration. Sure enough…I got out my card, and my first name was missing a letter. It wasn’t a big deal.
Maybe last names matter more.
Thanks for the replies everyone, it makes me feel a bit better about it! I’m just going to mark down the name that matches her name on the SSN as suggested, and she plans to update the SSN name soon to avoid problems like this in the future.