<p>Why do schools look at SS numbers? How much do they learn from SSI? I'm worried that they'll learn I'm not yet a citizen (I recently applied but I don't think I've been approved yet), just a permanent resident, and think I lied on my application (I put down "citizen," which is sort of a lie I guess, but it won't be in a month or two).</p>
<p>I don't get it. Why did you lie? It's not like you get bonus points for being a citizen vs. being a PR.</p>
<p>I think it's just another way to identify you -- like on the SAT.</p>
<p>Actually, he might be eligible for more financial aid if he's a U.S. citizen. That said, what you did was probably illegal...</p>
<p>If you're a citizen by the time you get your acceptance it shouldn't be a big deal. I'm not technically a citizen yet either but I'm putting citizen down on my applications because both my parents have been naturalized and I have a US passport.</p>
<p>if u have a passport, arnt u a citizen</p>
<p>You can't have a US passport unless you're a citizen.</p>
<p>They use it to verify that you are not an impostor and not using an alias. People "sneak" into colleges and universities all the time. <a href="http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2007/5/24/imposterCaught%5B/url%5D">http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2007/5/24/imposterCaught</a></p>
<p>I would not lie about being a US Citizen OP. Of all the things you can lie about on your application, your resident status is not one of them. </p>
<p>Permanent resident status and citizen status are likely regarded similarly, because most permanent residents do seek citizenship. However, that is not always the case, so I would just tell the truth and they can update your information later.</p>
<p>I figured that by the time they admit me (God-willing) in November, I'd be a citizen. So if they saw I put all my Green Card crap down just to find out I'm no longer an alien, they'd think something fishy were going on. I definitely didn't think I'd benefit from putting down my pending status instead of my current status (because, if anything, they'd probably prefer an educated person from a third world country than one from an industrialized nation like the US); I just thought it would be easier on them to not have to keep updating my information. Well, I guess I would also benefit because I wouldn't have the responsibility of having to inform them about changes...but that's honestly not what I was thinking. Anyway, it's too late to change it...I already sent in my application.</p>
<p>And lolz @ Azia Kim.</p>
<p>Also, I hear you need an SS # for scholarships. Is that true? If it's not, I may just scrap providing my SS # since it's not even required.</p>
<p>You think too much.,, You should have gone with what you are. Enough said.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, but I have read enough of this immigration stuff trying to help my buddies to remember some things. </p>
<p>OP, are you 18 yrs old? If you are, did you apply for citizenship yourself? If one of your parents got "naturalized" before you turned 18, you are automatically a citizen under some circumstances. If you applied on your own and still do not have a firm interview date, it is not guaranteed that you will be a citizen in 2 months. I work in a very multi-cultural lab, and some of my co-workers are still waiting for their interview dates 3-4 years after submitting their forms for naturalization. Governments are notorious for losing paperwork, etc. Citizen or permanent resident - it makes NO difference in getting scholarships, fin. aid, etc. The few "minor" differences is that you can not vote, travel with US passport, get jobs at CIA, FBI, Immigration offices, and other "sensitive" government positions. If you paid your taxes diligently for many years, even you SS benefits are equal to those of US citizens.
Your SSN is just an identifier for the college; if you get tuition discounts, there are tax consequences (check with your tax guru), so that's why your college shares this number with IRS.</p>
<p>I believe on the citizenship form there is a box "Have you ever claimed to be a US citizen" or something like that. If you did, you have some 'splaining to do at the immigration office (do not worry - you just made an honest mistake and you are going to correct it, right?). Bottom line: never lie about your status, it might come back and bite you in the rear.</p>
<p>Here is a website with a wealth of information for you:
<a href="http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis%5B/url%5D">http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis</a>
Good luck with fin aid and college apps!</p>
<p>BB</p>
<p>getting your citizenship can take a whiiiiiile</p>
<p>stupid stupid move</p>
<p>Agreed. Your naturalizatoin process may take a while. You should contact the admissions office of the school you applied to and do your best to amend your app. Your PR status allows you fantastic privileges.</p>
<p>you do realize citizenship takes at least two years to be approved right--longer if your parents were not naturalized? A friend of mine applied in early 02', he got his citizenship approved in late 04', and got sworn in mid 05'; needless to say, IT'S A REALLY LONG PROCESS. And with the heightened security concerned, it's now actually much longer to get your citizenship. Plus, application doesn't equal automatic approval. Some failed because they couldn't speak English (I don't imagine that this will be a problem for you), other because they have a minor record with the police; and other for national security.</p>
<p>Also colleges and universities can and will learn about your citizenship status. Several of my friends who didn't have citizenship but put down that they were were discovered because the Social Security Agency notified that they were not citizen.</p>
<p>"you do realize citizenship takes at least two years to be approved right--longer if your parents were not naturalized?"</p>
<p>Actually, it is much faster now than it used to be a few years ago. Go to the Immigration website and search for processing times at your local office. I looked today, and in my area application form N400 takes on average 7 months now, and N600 (for children getting citizenship through parents) takes 3 months. It does not mean yours will be processed as quickly. A few years ago those processing times were longer than a year!</p>
<p>In the meantime, do not do anything stupid, do not get any infractions, not even speeding tickets, and study for your citizenship exam (required for N400). You do remember the 13 original states, right?</p>
<p>And remember, there is no substitute for real legal advice. Getting legal help form CC is like getting investment advice from Yahoo stock message boards. :)</p>
<p>BB</p>
<p>My dad is a naturalized citizen. I've been living here for 15 years...so I don't I need to take any tests or anything, and I was told that it'd take 3-6 months to process everything.</p>
<p>You must report your status on the day you apply, not what you hope your status would be when you get accepted. If you are a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder), it is no big deal as they are looked at the same as U.S. citizens. </p>
<p>If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are an international student. Checking your self as a citizen when you are not can be grounds for having any admissions rescinded becasue you have intentionally misrepresented yourself. In addition everything will be found out on the off-chance you should need financial aid and your are not eligible to file the FAFSA, which does require your SSN.</p>
<p>I'd like to post the real link, but it is too long, and I do not want to figure out how to use tinyurl. Here is the official spiel from USCIS:</p>
<p>"Information for Parents of Foreign-Born Biological Children Residing in the U.S., January 2004</p>
<p>The Child Citizenship Act (CCA) declares that children who are younger than 18 years of age and have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen whether by birth or naturalization will acquire automatic citizenship. Under the CCA, qualifying children who immigrate to the United States with a U.S. citizen parent automatically acquire U.S. citizenship upon entry; children who live abroad acquire citizenship on approval of an application and the taking of the oath of allegiance.</p>
<p>Frequently Asked Questions</p>
<ol>
<li> Does my child qualify for automatic citizenship under the CCA?
Under the CCA, your child will automatically acquire U.S. citizenship on the date that all of the following requirements are satisfied:</li>
</ol>
<p>At least one parent is a U.S. citizen,
The child is under 18 years of age, and
The child is admitted to the United States as an immigrant.</p>
<ol>
<li> Do I have to apply to USCIS for my childs citizenship?</li>
</ol>
<p>No. If your child satisfies the requirements listed above, he or she automatically acquires U.S. citizenship by operation of law on the day he or she is admitted to the United States as an immigrant. Your childs citizenship status is no longer dependent on USCIS approving a naturalization application.</p>
<ol>
<li> What documentation can I get of my childs citizenship?</li>
</ol>
<p>If your child permanently resides in the U.S, you can obtain evidence of your childs citizenship by applying for a Certificate of Citizenship. You will need to file Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) and submit it to the local USCIS District Office or Sub-Office that holds jurisdiction over your permanent residence. You can also apply for a U.S. Passport from the Department of State.</p>
<ol>
<li> Will USCIS automatically provide me with documentation of my childs citizenship?</li>
</ol>
<p>At the present time, USCIS is not able to automatically provide biological parents with documentation of their childs citizenship. USCIS will continue to implement programs that streamline processes to more rapidly issue Certificates of Citizenship to qualifying children.</p>
<ol>
<li> Is automatic citizenship provided for those who are 18 years of age or older?</li>
</ol>
<p>No. Individuals who are 18 years of age or older on February 27, 2001, do not qualify for citizenship under the CCA, even if they meet all other criteria. If they wish to become U.S. citizens, they must apply for naturalization and meet eligibility requirements that currently exist for adult lawful permanent residents."</p>
<p>If you meet the second and third requirements of the #1, you became a US citizen on the day of your dad's naturalization. So you can safely check the "citizen" box even if your N-600 is still in the works (friend's kid who was in the same situation was told so by USCIS officer after dad's naturalization ceremony). </p>
<p>BB.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies! Even though some of them are inaccurate...lol.</p>
<p>And BB, actually, thanks for the info</p>