Protecting Your Information

Your personal information—your student record—is protected by federal law. Learn more about how we handle your personal information.

• Social Security Number
• Change of Name
• Preferred Name Policy
• Student Directory Exclusion
• Retention of Records

Social Security Number

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, disclosure of your Social Security number for identification purposes is voluntary. However, if you are applying for financial aid, you are required to provide your Social Security Number to the financial aid office. Your number will be used for identification of records and will not be released to other persons or agencies. Further information is available from Purdue University Fort Wayne Admissions and the Office of the Registrar.

Change of Name

If your name has been legally changed or is inaccurate in our system, you may complete the Change of Name Form to request a change. Your legal name according to the federal government and the state of Indiana is what appears on your academic record and transcripts. 

You will need to include a scan or photo of legal documentation of your name. A link will be provided at the end of the survey form for you to securely upload your documentation. 

Acceptable forms of documentation include:

• Driver's license or state issued photo ID
• Social Security card 
• Permanent Resident card (Green card)
• Passport
• Divorce decree
• Court order

Former IPFW students needing their IU record updated should complete a request through IU Student Central.

Preferred Name Policy

Creating an inclusive environment is part of Purdue University Fort Wayne’s values, and we recognize that some students use a name other than their legal name to identify themselves. Because of this, the university has established a process for identifying a preferred name.

What is a preferred name?

A preferred name is a first or middle name (i.e., given name) that individuals may choose to be addressed by instead of their legal first name.

How do I request my preferred name?

You can request a preferred name by completing the Registrar’s Preferred Name Change Form . You do not need to provide documentation. The university has the right to revoke or deny a preferred name request if it contains inappropriate or offensive language, avoidance of legal obligation, or is being used for misrepresentation. Please allow 24–48 hours for the request to be processed. You may change your preferred name only once per semester. You may update only your first name with a preferred name. You may not update your last name.

The university will continue to make necessary changes as the implementation of the preferred name process continues and where this information is made available. While your preferred name will be used whenever possible, there are places and documents where the university will continue to use your legal name for business and legal purposes. These include the following:

• Admissions
• Housing contracts
• Student accounts and university housing bills
• Financial aid
• Enrollment verification
• Transcript
• Teacher licensure records
• Government employment forms
• Governmental tax forms 1098-T and W-2
• Paychecks
• University Police

If you are utilizing your preferred name, you should always be prepared to reference your legal name as well as provide your university identification when necessary. To change your legal name, complete a Change of Name Form.

Student Directory Exclusion

You may choose to exclude your address and/or telephone number from any student directory that may be published. Forms to request this exclusion are available on the Information for Students and Parents FERPA page and at the registrar’s office. Any exclusion that is filed will apply to all future semesters. Exclusions must be filed before the end of the first week of classes to be effective for the current semester or summer session.

Retention of Records

Purdue Fort Wayne reserves the right to maintain only those records it considers useful and to set retention schedules for various categories of those records. However, the administrator responsible for each category of records will ensure that a record being challenged is not destroyed prior to resolution of the dispute. Purdue Fort Wayne follows the record retention guidelines recommended by the Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers: RECORD RETENTION RECOMMENDATIONS