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Office of Financial Aid
University of Mississippi

Your Social Security Number and Financial Aid

You should ALWAYS be mindful when sharing your Social Security Number (SSN) to ensure that you do not give it out unnecessarily. You must safeguard this information to protect yourself against identity theft. So you may have noticed that it was optional to provide it on your UM Admissions application.

But there are some valid reasons to share it with your college.

What is an SSN?

  • This is your unique 9-digit number that helps Social Security identify and record your lifetime earnings.
  • It is also used by various organizations to identify your individual account since you could easily have the same name and/or date of birth as another person, but nobody else has the same SSN as you.
  • Please visit https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ for more information about Social Security Numbers. If you need a replacement card, you may be able to request on here.

Why should I share my SSN with Ole Miss?

Although providing your SSN is not required for admission to UM, it IS required to receive federal, state, and some institutional aid.

  • If you plan on using Title IV Federal Student Aid (such as Pell Grant, Work-Study, or Federal Direct Student and Parent Loans), we need a way to match you with your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Your unique SSN is the only way to do that. The FAFSA also confirms that your name and date of birth are correct in your Social Security Administration record.
  • If you are a Mississippi resident who wants to receive MTAG, MESG, MS HELP, or other state grants, the SSN is how we must identify you on the state rosters. Financial Aid also sends grade and enrollment files to the state office so they can determine your eligibility.
  • Some institutional awards (typically need-based scholarships or loans) also require that the FAFSA be completed.
  • The Bursar’s Office will need your SSN in order to produce certain annual tax documents (such as the 1098T).

How do I submit my SSN to UM?

If you did not include it on your Admissions application, you can still provide it to the school. Please do NOT send to the Financial Aid Office directly – and note that email is NOT considered secure.

  • Undergraduate Students:
    • In Person: Stop by the Undergraduate Admissions Office with your SSN Card to 145 Martindale-Cole Student Services Building on campus.
    • By Fax: Send a copy of your card to Admissions at 662-915-5869.
    • By Mail: Mail a copy of your card to the Office of Admissions, 145 Martindale-Cole Student Services, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677.
  • Graduate Students:
    • In Person: Stop by the Graduate School with your SSN Card to 100 Graduate House on campus.
    • By Fax: Send a copy of the card to the Graduate School at 662-915-6557.

If you have any questions, please call our Help Line at 1-800-891-4596.