ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Current ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú F-1 or J-1 Students

1. Be registered at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú full-time
   • Undergraduate students: 12 credits
   • Graduate students: 9 credits
2. Be employed or have an offer of employment
   • If you are not currently employed, you may search for on campus jobs at Student Employment.

Current J-1 Scholars

J-1 scholars who are in the Professor or Research Scholar category are eligible for an SSN, even if they are not employed by ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University. Note that it should not be necessary to apply for an SSN if you are not employed, but you are eligible to do so if you wish. In reviewing the application materials below, note that scholars do not need the ISSS Letter of Eligibility.

Submit an , then take the documents listed below to a Social Security office within 45 days of submitting your form.

• Your Social Security Number card will be mailed to the Mailing Address you enter in your online application. Be sure that you will be able to receive mail at that address for the 2-4 week period it will take to process your card.

The Social Security Administration requires the following items in order to apply for a Social Security Number:

• Valid Passport
• Visa (Exception: students from Canada and Bermuda are not required to have a visa)
• Entry stamp in passport and .
• Current I-20 or DS-2019
• Job Offer Letter from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú (include the following depending on the type of job)
  • Hourly On-Campus Positions
    • Chartwells Higher Ed (ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Dining Service Provider):
      • Job Details Letter on Compass Group letterhead received by email from donotreply@compass-usa.com with the subject line "Congratulations on Your Offer with our Company!" after being hired and completing the onboarding process. The Job Details Letter will state your anticipated start date. If you have trouble finding this document, contact Jonathan Sears or Rebecca Riedinger.
      • To start working, students must provide Chartwells Human Resources documentation of their social security number or a receipt from the Social Security Administration showing proof the social security number application is in process.
    • Non-Chartwells:
      • Confirmation of Student Appointment Letter, available in-person from the Payroll office located in Roudebush Hall 15. Regional students, please contact our office and we will help you obtain the needed document. This confirmation form must be completed by your supervisor after receipt.
  • Graduate Assistantship
    • Assistantship contract with start date. Your assistantship contract is sent by email from Academic Personnel to your ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú email.
• ISSS Letter of Eligibility (required only for students)
  • Go to
  • Log in using your ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Unique ID and password
  • Complete the e-form “Social Security Eligibility Letter Request”
  • ISSS will send the letter to you via email.

 Other issues to consider

• Due to SSA policy, you may not apply more than 30 days before the employment start date.
• If you are a new student, you should delay applying for a social security number until at least two weeks into the semester or two weeks after your arrival in the U.S, whichever is later, to avoid denial from the Social Security Administration.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not have an office in Oxford. International students planning to apply for the social security number should visit the Hamilton, OH office located at:

6553 Winford Avenue
Hamilton, OH

Please visit the  for contact information and hours. Enter 45011 in the ZIP code search field.

Travel to SSA

• By private vehicle.
• By taxi. Please visit the  on ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s website and go to “Taxi Service” for a listing of local taxi companies or services that will pick up customer where required.
• By public transit.  (BCRTA) is free with the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú student ID card. While there is no direct bus line from Oxford to the SSA office in Hamilton, consult the BCRTA website for current routes and schedules to connect through transfer.