Non-Legal/Preferred Options

If you are a transgender and/or gender non-conforming student at Northeastern and wish to have your name or gender marker changed without having legally done so, you can do so through the LGBTQA Resource Center. We can help guide you through the process, how it works and what it impacts. The name you submit will be put on all future class rosters, blackboard, email alias*, and husky ID card. Please take note that you should directly contact the LGBTQA Resource Center to begin this process. If you go directly to the Registrar’s office, you will be directed back to the LGBTQA Resource Center.

To start the process of changing your name and/or gender marker, complete this form and email it to lgbtqa@northeastern.edu from your Husky Email address to verify your identity.

For questions or to discuss the process, students may contact:

LGBTQA Resource Center
328 Curry Student Center
lgbtqa@northeastern.edu
617.373.2738

*You will have the option to choose between altering your email address and your alias, the name that appears attached to the email address. Many students opt to just change the alias as it does not require a deletion of the old account and creation of a new one.

Legal Document Change

If you have U.S. state or federal issued identification documents** and want to legally change your name and/or gender markers, check out the National Center for Transgender Equality’s ID Document Center. If you live in Massachusetts and are interested in pursuing legal gender marker changes, you can learn more from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition’s Gender Marker Change page.

International Student Options

International students can utilize the preferred (non-legal) name change process outlined above on this page. International Student and Work Visas: At this time, there is no way for the Department of State to change your name or gender markers on your Student or Work Visa without you first completing the identity document change through your citizen-country.

Financial Aid Considerations

for Name and/or Gender Marker Changes

If you change your markers from Male to Female (MTF):

Regardless of current legal sex status, all people designated male at birth must register with the selective service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. You can register for the selective service through the secretary of state website or there is a selective service registration option on the FAFSA form. If you do not register for the selective service within 30 days of your 18th birthday, you are not eligible for federal student financial aid. Due to the current transgender-exclusionary policies, they can still fill out a request for status information letter. This request form includes a specific section marked “transsexual” and requires a copy of your birth certificate indicating birth-assigned sex as well as additional documentation indicating transition (medical or legal documentation).

If you change your markers from Female to Male (FTM):

Students who are assigned female at birth who change their legal sex to male before their 26th birthday are able to register for Selective Service after their 18th birthday or they will be asked to prove that they are exempt with a status information letter. A status letter can be obtained by filling out a request form through the selective service website. Students 26 years old or older who are legally male who have not registered with the selective service can still fill out a request for status information letter. This request form includes a specific section marked “transsexual” and requires a copy of your birth certificate indicating birth-assigned sex as well as additional documentation indicating transition (medical or legal documentation).

For additional information about transgender people and the selective service, visit the National Center for Transgender Equality’s resource: Selective Service and Transgender People.