A Social Security Number (SSN) is required to earn wages, file taxes, and receive some types of government services in the U.S. A SSN is a nine-digit number issued to US citizens, permanent residents, and temporary workers by the Social Security Administration.
Like your passport, this document should be stored in a safe location and not carried on you. Once you are granted a SSN, it is yours for life.
F-1 Students
F-1 students are only eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have a job offer through on-campus employment or authorized off-campus employment.
Process for Obtaining a Social Security Card
- You must first be hired for a campus job.
- The Department that hires you will send an Employment Action Form (EAF) to Student Employment.
- Student employment will contact you and will send you the forms you need to complete to work.
- If you do not have a SSN, you must complete and employment letter request. Link here:https://forms.office.com/r/d2TSXufwN3
- ISS will email you when your employment letter has been processed.
- Go to the CDI Front Desk to pick-up your letter. You must bring your ID and sign for your letter.
- You must then go to the Social Security Administration to apply for a SSN at 2345 Gateway Dr, Suite B, Wooster, OH 44691.
- Please bring:
- Passport
- I-20
- Social Security Application
- I-94 (You need to print it out before you leave)
- SSA application https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
- Employment letter provided by ISS the day you go to the Social Security Office
- You will receive a receipt from the Social Security Office that you will then take to Student Employment. You need to set up a meeting with them to complete your paperwork. Please contact student employment at studentjobs@wooster.edu
- Then you are legal to work and can set up your work schedule.
- You will receive your Social Security card in the mail in 2 weeks. Please contact student employment at studentjobs@wooster.edu and the registrar’s office with your information to update college systems.
How to get to the Social Security Administration:
Wooster Transit
The SSA is accessible by the Wooster Transit. Please take the Wooster transit Gold Route to a stop that switches to the Blue Route (Children’s Center, Buehlers Market St, Dollar Tree, Movies 10, or Walmart Plaza). Then, take the Blue Route to the Wooster Counseling Center Stop or ANAZAO stop. Both stops are a 5-10 minute walk. The last bus/van from the blue route is at 4pm.
Wayne County Transit
If you are unable to take the Wooster Transit, you may schedule Wayne County Transit. Wayne County transit is $2.50/ride. WCT provides curb-to-curb service; but, must be schedule 3 days in advance. Link here: https://www.sartaonline.com/getting-around/reservation-on-demand-services/wct/ WCT can be used to book a ride anywhere in Wayne County.
Material on this website is general and for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional legal advice, and you should not rely on it solely when making decisions about your immigration status or reporting requirements.