Electrical and Computer Engineering

How to get a Social Security Number (SSN)

Payroll and Tuition Benefit Instructions

Steps for Students without a Social Security Number (SSN)

After arriving on campus, students will not be paid until Steps 1-3 are complete. It is important to complete every step as soon as possible as each of these steps may take a several days or weeks to process. Please read the instructions for each step carefully before beginning.

Forms Needed To Get SSN and Get on Payroll

Form Name
 Needed for Step(s) Notes
Passport / Visa 3, 4
Digitally Signed I-20 2 Can be completed before arriving on campus.
I-94 3, 4
On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application Form (Digital)
 1 The Graduate Student Coordinator will email you copy that you can upload to UAtlas before arriving.
On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application Form (Wet-Ink Signed)
 1, 2 You will pick this up from the Graduate Student Coordinator after arriving on campus.
Department Offer Letter (Wet-Ink Signed)
 1, 2, 3 You will pick this up from the Graduate Student Coordinator after arriving on campus.
Confirmation page from Online SSN Application 3 Can be completed before arriving on campus. If the online application does not work, complete and print page 5 of the SS-5 Form
Social Security Receipt 3 After step 2, do not wait to receive SS card, schedule appointment with ECE personnel to get on payroll.

Step 1: Pre-Arrival Preparation

On-Campus Employment Steps & Policy
  1. Register for ISSS Orientation and pay the associated orientation fee
  2. Send an email to immigrationdocs@utah.edu to request a digitally signed I-20 to complete I-9 Employment Verification.
  3. Complete the Online SSN Application. Save a copy of the confirmation page.
  4. Notify the Graduate Student Coordinator of your arrival date and schedule a time to pick up employment paperwork. The Graduate Student Coordinator will send you a scanned copy of the On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application that you will need to upload to UAtlas (see instructions below).
    1. Login to UAtlas
    2. Upload the On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application copy to the SSN Application Letter for On-Campus Employment e-form.
    3. Once submitted, it could take up to 10 days to be reviewed and processed.

One Month Prior to Arriving (December or July)

Notify the Graduate Student Coordinator of your arrival date and schedule a time to pick up employment paperwork. The Graduate Student Coordinator will send you a scanned copy of the On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application that you will need to upload to UAtlas (see instructions below).

  1. Login to UAtlas
  2. Submit the SSN Application Letter for On-Campus Employment e-form. Upload the On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application to this e-form.
  3. Once submitted, it could take up to 10 days to be reviewed and processed.

Step 2: Complete employment forms with ECE Department and ISSS Office

  • Schedule a time to meet with the Graduate Student Coordinator to review steps and pick up documents hard copies of the following:
    • Offer letter, (wet-inked, signed by ECE Department)
    • On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application Form (wet-inked, signed by ECE Department)
  • Students will receive a notification to their University of Utah email (UMail)
    • Bring the signed On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application Form to the ISSS office during Walk-In Advising Hours to get an additional wet-ink signature from an ISSS Designated School Official.

Step 3: Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)

Schedule an appointment with the Social Security Office

  • Show the following documents:
    • Passport
    • I-20
    • I-94
    • Signed On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for SSN Application Form
    • Confirmation Page from Online Social Security Number Application
  • Request a receipt and ask if you can call to get your Social Security Number (SSN). If you cannot call, it will be mailed to you in approximately 2 weeks.

If you are told you do not qualify for an Social Security Number (SSN), tell them you are an F-1 or J-1 student and need the SSN to open a bank account in the U.S. and file a tax return as required by the IRS.

Social Security Office
1-866-851-5275
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM

175 East 400 South
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111

Step 4: Submit Social Security receipt and complete records with ECE Department

  • Set up an appointment with Bob Knudsen (robert.knudsen@utah.edu) in the ECE department to begin processing your payroll. As processing can take some time, please do not wait until you have received your Social Security Card.
  • Sign up for direct deposit on CIS after payroll has been set up

Bring the following before your receive your card:

  • Passport / Visa
  • I-94
  • I-20 (digitally signed by ISSS office during virtual advising)
  • Social Security application receipt

After you receive your Social Security Card

  • Sign your Social Security Card
  • Meet again with Bob Knudsen to show him the card and complete your records.

Step 5: Create an account with GLACIER

  • When you receive an email from Tax Services, set up your correct tax status with GLACIER as soon as possible.
    • Employees are required to enter information into GLACIER and submit the required forms and documents to the Tax Services Dept. within seven (7) days of receipt of the email from support@online-tax.net (this is not spam). Otherwise, the maximum amount of tax will be withheld from their paychecks.
  • For any other questions contact the following: