Hi all,
I just recently received a new SSN card. I had expected it to just be a name change (First one was an old name), but turns out my entire SSN was changed. Problem is I have already sent in applications for 8+ schools, and put my old SSN number on the common app since I need financial Aid. I also sent the CSS profile with my old SSN number to 5 schools already. I have not completed the fafsa or remaining css profiles for the rest of the schools. What should i do? Should i call admissions? Send a letter/ email(is this safe)? Input my new SSN number for the rest of my applications? Also does SSN info matter for anything other than FA? Please help because I have heard colleges match FA applicants based on SSN info…
I don’t think SSN number matters for anything besides FA. I would call admissions (because I’m not sure if it’s safe to put your SSN in an email/letter) for each college and let them know.
I’m so surprised to hear that they changed your SS#. I thought that number sticks with you for life. For instance when I married and changed my name, my SS# remained the same. I think the problem is not so much that you sent the wrong SS# to the schools, it’s that the Social Security Administration gave you a new number when they shouldn’t have! I would check things out on that end before making any changes with the colleges.
A brochure on the SSA site says that after a name change, “The new card will have the same number as your previous card, but will show your new name.”
You need to contact Social Security about this. You should not have received a new number! You should have the same number on a card with the new name.
There are situations where SSA will issue a new number. This may be more than a simple name change.
You may need to call the schools, but for tonight I’d say ask this as an FA question in the financial aid forum, to draw posters who are familiar with FA/SSN issues. See if you get some quick info back from one or more of the knowledgeable adults. Best wishes.
Thanks everyone. Everything worked out fine after calling. My number will stay the same