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The Claremont Colleges

Social Security

If you are an international student holding F-1 status or an exchange student holding J-1 status, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will only issue a social security card to you for purposes of employment. This means that students and scholars must show the Social Security Administration documentation that they have on-campus employment (unless they have been authorized for other off-campus employment).

The SSA will not issue a Social Security card in order for you to open a bank account, rent an apartment, apply for a driver’s license, or sign up for cell phone service.

Throughout the semester, I-Place is available to assist students who need transportation to the Social Security Administration. The closest office is 960 West Mission Blvd. in Pomona, or use the Local Office Search on the SSA website.

I-Place Trips to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Social Security Administration (SSA)
On most Fridays* during the academic year, International Place asstists students with transportation to the Deparment of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for any business pertaining to applying/obtaining a California Driver's License or a California Identification Card,  as well as the Social Security Administration Office (SSA), for any business pertaining to applying/obtaining a Social Security Number - for the purposes of paid employment.  You must sign up in advance for this trip, since we can only accommodate 7 students for this service each Friday.  To sign-up, you may come into our office and let us know, or send an e-mail to ipoffice@cmc.edu. We will confirm by e-mail whether or not there is space for your requested trip.  
*These trips start the first Friday of each semester, but are suspended on some Fridays that fall during extremely busy periods or Fridays that fall near acadmic breaks.  We will give at least 2 weeks advance notice for tips that are suspended.

 

PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

On-Campus Employment

If you hold F-1 or J-1 student status and have an on-campus job (or an offer of an on-campus job), you need to apply for a social security number as soon as possible. To apply, you will need:

Off-Campus Employment

Curricular Practical Training

If you are an F-1 student and have been approved for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and you do not already have a social security number, you need to bring the folowing to the Social Security Administration:

Optional Practical Training or Employment Authorization for Severe Economic Hardship

If you are an F-1 student and have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for Optional Practical Training or for Severe Economic Hardship, you need to bring the following to the Social Security Administration:

  • A completed Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5) - available online or at I-Place
  • Your valid passport
  • Your current I-94
  • Your current Form I-20
  • Your EAD
  • Student ID
  • Any other form of ID you have might be helpful

Academic Training for J-1 Students

If you are a J-1 student and have been approved for Academic Training, and you do not already have a social security number, you need to bring the following to the Social Security Administration:

  • A completed Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5) - available online or at I-Place
  • Your valid passport
  • Your current I-94
  • Your current Form DS-2019
  • The letter from your Responsible Officer authorizing you for Academic Training
  • A recent pay stub or letter from your employer offering you employment (see Sample Letter)
  • Student ID
  • Any other form of ID you have might be helpful