Chosen Name / Students

Contact Information

Email Us

Quick Links

Chosen Name for Students

Students may request a new or updated chosen name by completing the Chosen Name Request form located on the Personal Information tab of MyMSU Great Falls College: Requests will be processed by staff from the Office of the Registrar.  Once processed, the chosen name will be updated in MyMSU Great Falls College, and most applicable campus systems will be updated within 48 hours. A new university email will also be issued as part of this process. The exact locations where chosen names are displayed may change over time. Commonly used systems where chosen names will be displayed are. Places where your Chosen Name will be used:
  • Campus Directory
  • Class Lists*
  • DegreeWorks
  • Canvas
  • Grade Roster*
  • ID card (Optional)
  • Student Information System (both chosen and legal name are recorded)
  • Many University Communications
  • University Email
*Available December 2021 Common locations where your Legal Name will be used: 
  • Degree Verification
  • Enrollment Verification
  • Federal and State Agency Reporting
  • Financial Aid
  • Immigration Status Reporting
  • Official University Transcripts
  • Payroll
  • Student Information System
  • Tax Processing

Chosen Name Frequently Asked Questions

The chosen name request service is the method by which members of the campus community can request to use a chosen name on campus.

A chosen name is a first, middle, and/or last name that is different from your legal name. A chosen name is one you wish to use during your employment or academic career at the University.

No, you do not have to request a chosen name. This service is for people who wish to be known by a name other than their legal name.

Any student, faculty or staff at any Montana State University campus.

People use a chosen name for any number of reasons. Here are some of the major ones:

  • They wish to be known by a nickname.
  • They use an abbreviated form of their first name.
  • They use their middle name in place of their first name.
  • To align with an individual’s gender, religious or other protected class identity.
  • They wish to use their former last name professionally.
  • They wish to use a pseudonym such as pen name or stage name (common in literature and the arts).
  • To adopt a local name (International students.)
  • To provide an added degree of safety for victims of physical, sexual, or other types of violence.

You may request a chosen name using the chosen name request service which will be made available in MyMSU Great Falls College.

This service is scheduled to go live October 21, 2021.

Please send questions to [email protected]

Following a chosen name request, an individual’s chosen name is entered into the Student Information System (MyMSU Great Falls College). The individual’s University email address will be updated as part of the process. Once these updates are complete, their chosen name is displayed in the campus directory and in a wide variety of 3rd party systems such as DegreeWorks, Canvas, and many more.

Students, faculty and staff may have their chosen name printed on their ID Card. This is optional and replacement charges will apply.

An ID Card which displays a chosen name may no longer be used as a form of legal identification.

Entities off campus are not likely to consider the ID Card as a valid government ID.  Students are advised to carry a government-issued form of ID such as a driver’s license, U.S. social security card, or passport to access resources that require identification, but which are not on campus.

Students, faculty and staff members are free to determine the chosen name they wish to be known by in the University’s information system. The University reserves the right to deny or remove any chosen name that disrupts the academic or work environment of the University.

Yes. There are many instances where legal name must continue to be used. While this is not an exhaustive list, below are a number of examples where legal name will continue to be used.

  • Degree Verification
  • Employment Verification
  • Enrollment Verification
  • Federal and State Agency Reporting
  • Financial Aid
  • Immigration Status Reporting
  • Official University Transcripts
  • Payroll
  • Student Information System
  • Tax Processing

Currently this is not a capability in our systems since it will prevent MSU campuses from processing certain payroll, tax and benefit information correctly.  The project team is working closely with partners in HR and Finance to resolve these issues in time for the October 21st go-live date.