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.