Social Security Number

A Public Notice about Social Security Numbers
New York State Education Law prohibits the use of the Social Security number for identification purposes. Additionally, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits the release of the Social Security number without a student's prior written consent. Neither the State of New York nor the Federal government requires the release of Social Security numbers except in a few carefully defined situations, chiefly related to verification of entitlement to financial aid.

Because of the above and because the Social Security number is not a part of a student's educational history, the Office of the Registrar at St. John's University does not confirm or in any other way make reference to or reveal a student's Social Security number.

When we confirm or verify a student's enrollment or the award of a degree, we certify academic information that our records contain, information that originates with us and that we have authority over. If, for example, we confirm that St. John's University awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree to Jane Doe on May 15, 2002, we assert that our records indicate that a person with this name received the degree indicated on the noted date. We do not, nor should we, authenticate anyone's identity.