The Social Security Administration will only assign Social Security numbers to students with documentation certifying that they have an on-campus job or are authorized to work under one of the approved categories.
You will need to bring the following documentation with you to the Social Security Administration to apply:
- Passport
- I-20 or DS-2019
- I-94 Retrieval Number – You can obtain your most recent I-94 number on the The Department of Homeland Security’s website (Canadian citizens that have entered the U.S. at a land border will not have an I-94 number).
- SSN application form
You will also need one of the following:
- Job offer letter on department letterhead and a letter from the ISS office.
- Job offer letter on company letterhead and CPT authorization on your I-20 form (for F-1 student internships). Must include the dates of your employment
- Valid employment authorization card for F-1 Optional Practical Training or F-1 Economic Hardship
- Job offer letter on company letterhead; AT or Economic Hardship authorization on your DS-2019 form and ISS certification letter (J-1 only)
Once you have the necessary documents, you will submit your application to the Social Security Administration office. There is no fee to apply.
The closest Social Security Administration office to the University campus is located at: 4050 W. Ridge Rd. (2nd Floor), Rochester, NY 14626 (This location is close to the Greece Ridge Shopping Mall).