At this point in time, all F-1 students in legal status are eligible for Social Security numbers if they have already secured a job on campus. In order to obtain a number, you must first come to the Office of International Affairs with your passport and I-20. We will need to verify that you are in legal F-1 status and issue you a letter to bring with you to the Social Security Office. You will also need a letter from the campus department that you will be working for, stating that you have already been hired.

After you receive your letters, you must take them to a Social Security Office (we recommend Mineola) along with your passport and your I-20. You will also need to complete an official Social Security number application. You will need to present these documents to the clerk at the Social Security Office.

If the clerk finds that you are eligible for a number, he or she will tell you how look it will take to get your Social Security Number in the mail. Sometimes, there may be a problem with your record in the database that the Social Security Administration uses to verify your F-1 status. If this happens to you, you should report it to the Office of International Student Affairs.

If you receive an official Social Security number, it is important that you report it to the Office of International Student Affairs and the Registrar’s Office. This will keep your academic records accurate.

For more information on Social Security numbers, please contact the Office of International Student Affairs or visit the Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov.