FAFSA name mismatch - Using maiden name on taxes but son has different last name

Always use the exact same name that's on your Social Security card and tax returns. The FAFSA system cross-references your information with both Social Security Administration and IRS records, so consistency is crucial. If your maiden name is what appears on those official documents, that's what you should use on the FAFSA, regardless of what your son's last name is. The relationship between you and your son isn't determined by matching last names in the system.

This is EXACTLY why I hate the FAFSA!!!! They make everything so COMPLICATED and never explain the simple things clearly. I had this same problem last year with my daughter and ended up having to submit extra documentation because I got confused and used different names on different forms. The system is a MESS and they don't care how much stress they cause families!!!

To add to what others have said - the most important thing is that your name and SSN match what's on file with the Social Security Administration. The FAFSA will use that information to pull your tax information through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If you use a different name than what's on your SS card, you might get an error when trying to import your tax information, which will then require you to manually enter everything and possibly go through verification. Also, make sure your husband uses the name on his SS card too when he's adding his information to the FAFSA. That consistency is key for both parents.

my wife has the same situation and we use her maiden name on fafsa. our daughter got her financial aid package with no problems. just make sure your ssn matches everything

I had so many problems with this exact issue! When I called the Federal Student Aid number, I was on hold for over 2 hours and then got disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual FSA agent who confirmed I should use whatever name is on my Social Security card. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Saved me so much time and stress!

One additional tip: If you're concerned about potential issues, take screenshots of the name you enter on the FAFSA and keep digital copies of your tax returns handy. In the small chance your application gets flagged for verification, having documentation ready will speed up the resolution process. Also, when your son receives his Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation, review it carefully to make sure all the information was processed correctly. If there are any discrepancies, address them immediately with his school's financial aid office rather than trying to go through the general FSA helpline.

wait do u file taxes as married filing jointly with different last names? i thought irs makes u use legal name?

Update: I went ahead and used my maiden name on the FAFSA since that matches my SS card and tax returns. Everything went smoothly with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool - it pulled our tax information without any issues! Thank you all for the help and reassurance!

Just be prepared - even when you do everything RIGHT they might still flag your application for verification. My daughter's FAFSA was flagged last year and we had to submit extra documentation even though we did EVERYTHING correctly. The whole system is designed to make things difficult!!

As someone who works in financial aid, I can confirm that using your maiden name (the name on your Social Security card) is absolutely the correct approach. The FAFSA system is designed to match information across federal databases, and any discrepancy between your name on the FAFSA and your Social Security records will cause processing delays. Your son's different last name won't affect his eligibility or cause any issues - the system tracks family relationships through SSNs and other identifying information, not matching surnames. You made the right choice!