Primary Name

A Primary Name is the legal name that appears on legal documents (i.e., passport, driver’s license, US Military identification, US Social Security Card, official court order of name change). A legal name is required for certain offices that necessitate its use. These offices may include but are not limited to Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Student Financials, Financial Aid, Human Resources, Student Employment, Payroll, International Student & Scholar Office, and the Office of the Registrar for items related to admissions, financial aid, tuition, paycheck, visa, transcript, and more. A legal name should be used when completing official forms for the university.

Chosen Name

A Chosen Name is the name a student wishes to be known by in the university community, which is different from a student’s legal name. Your Chosen Name will be displayed in SIS, class rosters, grade rosters, advising reports, Blackboard, and faculty and department center reports. 

Semester Honors and commencement lists will also use Chosen Name as a default.

Please note that chosen first names are limited to alphabetical characters, a hyphen, a space, and 30 characters.

If a Chosen Name is not entered, the Primary Name will be displayed.

Undergraduate Admission’s Chosen Name Policy

In UMass Lowell’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, we know how important it is that we are transparent about how and when we will use your chosen name once you apply. We want you to feel confident about the information you share with us. 

Please note that prior to submitting an application, students are asked to provide a “name.” This name is used in all communications.

The Office of Undergraduate Admission will use your chosen name in: 

  • All email communications addressed to you from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  • All email communications you receive from university offices, departments, and programs (including academic colleges)
  • All email communications addressed to your parents/supporters from the Office of Admissions 
  • All mailings sent to your home, including promotional campaigns, event invitations, letters, cards, etc.
  • All event-based and orientation communications
  • All text messages
  • In your applicant portal

Campus Name

The campus name is exclusively used for email and may be the same as your chosen or primary name.

Degree Name

Your Primary Name will appear on your diploma by default. If you would like your diploma or certificate to display a name different from your Primary Name, you must enter your preferred Degree Name in SIS.

How To Change Your Name

To change your name during the admissions process:

  • Before attending Orientation or Transfer Registration, you may request a name change through the Admissions Portal.
  • Legal name changes must be supported by official documentation.

Primary Name

To update your primary legal name, please complete the Student Information Change. You will be required to provide either a government-issued photo ID (license, passport, etc.) or official court documentation (court order, marriage cert, etc.) reflecting the changed name.

Chosen Name

Students may choose to display a Chosen Name instead of their Primary Name in select university-related systems and documents, provided that the Chosen Name is not being used for misrepresentation. Chosen Names that are not administratively possible to implement, including, without limitation, symbols or images, are prohibited. The university reserves the right to remove any Chosen Name without prior notice to the individual due to misuse or abuse of this chosen name policy, including, but not limited to, misrepresentation, attempting to avoid legal obligations, or the use of highly offensive or derogatory names.

Please note that the Primary Name will be used in all university-related systems and documents that require a legal name.

Students seeking to add a Chosen Name should navigate to:

  • SIS Self-Service > Left Menu > Personal Information > Names
    OR
  • SIS Self-Service > Homepage > Personal Information icon > Right Menu > Names
    1. Click on Edit for Chosen Name.
    2. Edit fields as appropriate.
    3. Click Save in the lower right corner of the page.

Important Note: Your Chosen Name appears at the top of each self-service page in SIS and on Authorized Access pages. This means that if you grant access to your parent(s), family members, legal guardian(s), or other designees, those individuals, as well as faculty and staff will see your Chosen Name instead of your Primary Name.

Who Can View Your Chosen Name?

Chosen Name can be used in the following systems and records:

  • SIS (including those granted Authorized User Access, i.e., parents, legal guardians, or other designees)
  • UMass Lowell Active Directory
  • Blackboard
  • Housing
  • Library
  • Undergraduate Admissions Portal

Primary Name will continue to be used for official university records, including but not limited to the following:

  • Legal documents
  • University reports
  • Student Account Statement (Bills)
  • Financial aid and scholarship awards
  • Academic advisement reports
  • Transcripts
  • Enrollment and degree verifications
  • UCard printing
  • Student Employment documents
  • Employment and Degree verifications
  • Federal and State agency reporting
  • Human Resources benefit information
  • SEVIS (Immigration status reporting)
  • Health records
  • Paychecks, W-2s, or other payroll documents
  • Admissions Official Decision Letters

Campus Name (Email Only)

Students may request to update their campus email address, provided the Campus Name is not used for misrepresentation or inappropriate purposes. The Campus Name is used exclusively for email purposes and may match either your Chosen Name or Primary Name.

To request a change, students must complete the Campus Name Form available on the Solution Center website. The request will be reviewed, and if approved, the Campus Name will be updated in SIS. Please allow up to 48 business hours for the email address to be updated.

Once the Campus Name update is complete, students may visit the UCAPS Office to request a new UCard.

Degree Name (Diploma Only)

Your Primary Name will appear on your diploma by default. Students who wish to have a different name printed on their diploma or certificate must enter a Degree Name in SIS.

In addition to appearing on the diploma, the Degree Name will also be used for all Commencement announcements, awards, and programs.