CU-Boulder Begins Phasing Out Social Security ID To Protect Students

Complying with changes in state law and to provide added security for students, the University of Colorado at Boulder is no longer using social security numbers as the university ID for new students.

Since June 27, new records created in the University of Colorado student database system have been assigned nine-digit ID numbers starting in the 800 range. At CU-Boulder, system-assigned student ID numbers begin with "810."

The change follows the passage of HB03-1175, which directed Colorado universities to phase out the use of students' social security numbers as primary school identification numbers.

CU-Boulder associate registrar Sally Page said that while the new law does not require changes until July 2008, CU made the change early to offer students an added degree of security.

"Also, we've got the capability to make the changes using our current student information system, so we're doing it now," Page said. "Some institutions are waiting until they get a new system."

The change affects all new students and applicants added to the university database after June 27. ID numbers were not changed for students already in the system before that date, but those students can visit the Registrar's Office to request a new number.

Recently there has been a slight increase in student requests for ID number changes, Page said, and changing their ID number was an option for students even under the old system. "I think it's becoming more of an issue these days, which is probably why there's been that slight increase in students asking for a generic student ID," she said.

Students' social security numbers are needed for financial aid processing and other administrative purposes, and will continue to be stored in online student records. Administrators can now access online student records using either generic student ID numbers or social security numbers.

Students who don't know their assigned generic ID number can view it by clicking a link from PLUS or registration pages on the CU-Boulder site and entering their social security number and a PIN number.

For more information, call the Registrar's Office at (303) 492-6970.