IF YOU CANNOT GET A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

The U.S. Government has tried to restrict the issuance of new Social Security Numbers (SSN’s) to individuals who are eligible to work and who will be working. However, SSN’s have come to be used for many purposes, and we realize that it may be inconvenient for our students who are unable to obtain an SSN. Some of the most commonly asked questions are about opening a bank account, buying a cell phone and obtaining a credit card.

1. You will be able to open a bank account without a Social Security Number. You will need to show two forms of identification. Your Harvard ID and passport are usually acceptable. If you do not have your ID yet, Form I-20 or Form DS2019 should be acceptable along with your passport. You will also need a local address. In addition, when you open a bank account, you should get a bank debit card that can be used in many stores and restaurants. The difference between a debit card and a credit card is that the money you “charge” using the debit card is drawn directly from your bank account.
2. If you want to purchase a cell (mobile) phone without a Social Security Number, you may have to make a sizable deposit. However, here are some alternatives--you can also purchase a pre-paid phone, sign up for University Mobile (www.universitymobile.com) or for CellularLD (www.cellularld.com/harvard/). The HIO has information about both of these programs.
3. You usually are not able to get a credit card without a Social Security Number. However, if you are a student opening an account at the Harvard Credit Union, on the ground floor of the Holyoke Center, you should be eligible for a credit card with limited credit, even if you do not have a Social Security Number. You will need to show a Harvard ID.