Social Security number
Are Rockefeller University international scholars eligible for a Social Security number (SSN)?
RU international postdocs and staff are officially employed by RU, and thus eligible for an SSN. You can find information about applying for an SSN here:
Request Social Security number for the first time
Theoretically, international graduate students in the David Rockefeller Ph.D. program are NOT eligible for an SSN because the students are not employed at RU. The stipend they receive is not considered salary but fellowship.
As an alternative, international graduate students can apply for an ITIN number for taxation and credit card purposes.
The Rockefeller University will facilitate the ITIN application for international students.
Why do some RU international graduate students have their SSN?
International students who have studied at another university or institution before joining RU may have gotten their SSN at their previous university or institution. Students of the Tri-I graduate program may get their SSN from Weill Cornell Medicine.
Tell us about your experience and advice!
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