91èÏÈÉú

Depending on your visa status, certain eligibility requirements, timelines, and options apply. Please be sure to read the information thoroughly and contact the Office of Multicultural and International Student Services with any questions.

Social Security Number

You need a (SSN) in order to get paid for employment. You cannot start employment until you have a Social Security Number (or a receipt of application). For students to receive paid employment, they are required by law to obtain a Social Security Number. 

F-1 students must secure a job before they can apply for a Social Security number, but J-1 students do not need to have a job secured but must receive work authorization from the Global Education Office first.

STEPS for Applying for a Social Security number:

Note: F-1 students are only eligible to apply for an SSN card once a job offer is secured.

Once you have a job:

1. Ask your direct supervisor and International Student Services Designated School Official (DSO) to fill out the "Employment Verification Letter" and complete/sign the document.  If your direct supervisor is the DSO, either Human Resources (hr@hampshire.edu) or Payroll (payroll@hampshire.edu) must sign this document instead.

2. Gather the following documents. You must have your original documents.

• Completed Ìý´Ç°ù
• In item 16 of the paper form, "Mailing Address," write:

c/o Payroll Office, 91èÏÈÉú
893 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002

• Valid passport with your F-1 visa

• Form I-20

• Most Recent

• Completed Employment Verification Letter (from step 1)

3. Take your documents to the Holyoke Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

Getting to the Holyoke SSA:

Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., or Wednesday, 9 a.m.-Noon

´¡»å»å°ù±ð²õ²õ:Ìý  200 High Street
                   Second Floor
                   Holyoke, MA 01040

By PVTA bus: or use the for more information.

By car:

Note: Wait times vary and can sometimes take up to two hours.

If your application is successful, you with receive an SSN Application Receipt.

4. Submit your SSN Application Receipt to the Student Employment Office, located on the second floor of the Kern Center.

5. Once your card is received by 91èÏÈÉú's payroll office, you will be contacted to pick it up.

6. Immediately upon picking up your card, present the SSN card to the Student Employment Office to be photocopied.

Note: Students CANNOT be paid until the Social Security Card is received by the student employment office.