I filled out all of my college applications with 'Male'. I was given a call today telling me that my financial aid couldnt be processed because I needed to register with selective service, of course I explained that I didn't have to do this because of a medical condition. They told me to send proof to the financial aid office but idk what to do.
I'm afraid that if I confide in them that I'm transgender but have not legally changed my gender on my ID and birth certificate yet––I'm hoping it will be done before scool starts in September––I will be kicked out because I 'lied' on my forms.

What should I do

Your Therapist may be able to issue a letter explaining your medical condition. Other than that I don't know. I still use my old name until my new one is official to avoid this type of situation. 

I don't have a therapist, havent gone to one since October. Guess I'll have to start seeing one again :/

Is there another medical professional that can vouch for your situation? If not you may have some fallout to face. Sorry I don't have anymore ideas for you.

This happens to people who transition all the time. Here's a video someone else made:



basically, you just have to register....then if something happens, you wouldn't be accepted anyways. The trans thing would be dealt with at the other end, in event of 'war' or whatever.

You don't need to go back to therapy or anything. You just have to do what any other guy would do.

I unfortunately already told someone with the financial aid office that I'm not required to register because of a medical reason, and because I'm not legally male on my birth certificate or state ID, I'm simply not allowed to register.

And because I don't have another medical professional to help with the situation...welp. Looks like I'll be suffering some serious repercussions. I guess now all I can do is hope this doesnt completely screw up my chances at school in the future. *sigh* a shame school stuff is never simple!

In that case, you can do this:

"For a trans man who was born after December 31, 1959, is 26 years of age or older, and is considered male by a government entity (such as your Social Security records, driver's license, or passport, as explained above), he can no longer register with Selective Service, but he can obtain a letter explaining that he was exempt from having registered. In order to get this letter, you must get a form from Selective Service called the "Status Information Letter" or "SIL." This letter can be obtained from the Selective Service web site (www.sss.gov) or by calling 847-688-6888 (TTY: 847-688-2567). There is a section on the form that deals specifically with transsexual status. "

It is what someone else posted from this thread:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=139995.0

here's some more info about the letter:
http://www.sss.gov/Status.html

Also, don't make it more complicated than it is, this is not a big deal at all. You can just tell the financial aid office person that you figured it out and you can just register, as I think the letter stuff above is only for people age 26+

I was just reading this and is a great information but in the form it basically outs you as being 'transsexual'!  This sucks. Do I still need to do this?

Quote from: makipu on June 23, 2014, 12:32:02 PM
I was just reading this and is a great information but in the form it basically outs you as being 'transsexual'!  This sucks. Do I still need to do this?

That form is what you send to Selective Service, not what you give to the financial aid officer (or whoever needs to see the proof). For proof SSS will send you a letter stating that you've been determined to be exempt (but not go into details as to why).

I understand that only the SSS needs to see but this still frustrates me. I am not planning on telling anyone that I am 'trans' anything. I mean I feel like I am outing myself for just going to an LGBT clinic...That's how uncomfortable this makes me.

By the way, is it just the financial aid who needs to know about this or are there other people who need to know as well?

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply. I spoke to someone in financial aid who said everthing was fine, I just need to send in a copy of my birth certificate. I did have the option of sending the confirmation of my ineligibility from Selective Service but it most likely wont arrive before the deadline. Because I don't meet the requirements in spacerace's post (22, gender not changed on documents yet) I'm not sure what the letter will say anyway––or even if they will send one. So I did have to out myself which makes me extremely nervous. The last time I outed myself to the college I was applying to they mysteriously lost all my paperwork and wouldnt return my calls. I'm praying that doesn't happen again.

Makipu, I only had to show proof to financial aid because they were putting a hold on my aid award but I'm sure housing will now need to be aware of the situation as well. With a copy of my birth certificate on file, housing finding out after I'm already situated in a male dorm might cause issues. As far as the SS seeing the letter, that's something you really shouldn't worry about. I can almost guarantee that they don't care considering how many people they have to deal with. That's a very specific part of the government and no one would be able to find out about you telling them your original gender unless you were applying to the military or something like that.