Social Security Numbers
Students who will work while in the United States are required to
obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). The government uses this number
to supervise payments into the national pension system. Social Security
Numbers are required in order to obtain a job and a driver’s license in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When you go to the Social Security
Office, you should bring:
- Completed social security number form, available at www.ssa.gov
- Passport
- I-20 and I-94
- A
completed letter from Wilson College stating that you work on campus
and need a Social Security number. You can obtain this letter from the
Internatinoal Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), as long as you have
a real job offer on campus. You cannot get this letter unless you
actually have a job offer.
- A completed letter from your employer
stating what type of on-campus work you will be performing. ISSS can
provide a sample letter for your employer.
You should
wait two weeks after arriving in the U.S. before applying for a social
security number to ensure that your arrival paperwork has had time to
process.
On-Campus Employment
International students (F-1) may work on-campus as long as work is
considered a "service." For example, working at the library or childcare
center is on-campus and considered a "service." If you have questions,
please contact the Internatioal Student & Scholar Services office
(ISSS). You are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week while school
is in session and full-time during annual vacations and semester
breaks. You do not need permission from USCIS nor do you need to work in
your major. However, please advise the ISSS office of your job.
Some
international students have paid on-campus positions through Work Study
of 7-10 hours per week. These awards are part of the student's initial
financial aid package. However, not all students who want to work on
campus can be accommodated since funding and jobs are limited.