Is the SSN really optional?

<p>I already finished submitting my applications everywhere, but I'm worried because I didn't enter in my social security number...but I thought that it was only necessary for people applying for financial aid (and I didn't).</p>

<p>The social security number field was marked as optional on the Common Application...is it really optional?</p>

<p>I was told, though, by college advisor, that if you’re applying for need-based financial aid, you should supply your SSN. It makes matching your FAFSA with your app that much easier and may be required by many schools. When my daughter applied 3 years ago, we didn’t supply the SSN with the common app, but later had to send it to the schools individually so that they could process her financial aid.</p>