All employees of Boston University must have a valid Social Security number for tax purposes. International students may begin working and be paid while their application for a Social Security number is being processed.
If the student does not provide a valid Social Security number during any point of the hiring process, the student must provide this to Student Payroll by the end of the calendar year. The submission options are to bring the physical SSN card and BU ID card in-person OR submit electronically through a secure email. Detailed steps are listed below. Government identification should not be shared through regular email or phone.
Any student employee who does not have a valid Social Security number must obtain one from the Social Security Administration.
International students must also provide proof of employment when they apply for a Social Security number. The hiring department must complete a Certification of F-1 Student On-Campus Employment for Social Security Number Application and must print the certification on departmental letterhead. The student must then have this form certified by the ISSO before bringing it to the Social Security Administration. Learn more about hiring international students.
Students who procure a Social Security Number after their hire may submit the information one of the following options:
- To submit in person, the student should go to the FirstPoint counter at 881 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd floor with their Social Security Number card and BU ID.
- To submit electronically, the student should send a secure email with the subject “SSN Submission”. If the hyperlink does not work, the full link is: https://securecontact.me/seo@bu.edu. Students should use their BU email. The email message must include full Social Security Number and UID.
Departments should contact Student Payroll if they have questions.
Note: Students may not apply for a tax treaty until they have Social Security numbers.