General When would it be best to legally change my name?

[Question]

Currently in the application cycle and on my second gap year. Hopefully get to matriculate next fall. I am legally changing my name and am thinking the best time to do it would be that spring before starting professional school. Is that a good time or should I wait until I am a student? Thanks! \n \n — Experts please respond to this post —

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[Mr.Smile12]

I think that would be fine but I would ask about how this might affect your ability to process your financial aid application. Would you want to fill out a FAFSA early when it opens in October? You really should ask financial aid experts about this

 

[lord999]

You want to wait until your Certiphi is done. If the Certiphi takes longer due to a recent name change, it's a huge headache for you as it's a false red flag. We had one of our students get married, did the right thing in name change with SSA notification, and the Certiphi went overlong due to having to investigate the name change while it was in progress.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Agree, wait until after background chrck

 

[PerioDont]

I would do it once you start and your fin aid, vaccines, and all the other clearance things are done

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Just wait. There are so many things that need to be completed in this process and this is just going to leave you with a huge headache.