Requests for Valid Student Social Security Number
If you received an email or letter from the Office of Student Accounts directing you to this webpage, our records indicate that we do not have a correct Social Security Number for you (student). While many students think they have submitted this information during the admissions process, we cannot legally require a social security number with admissions applications. We do not have a valid Social Security number if you received a request to provide it to us. We are requesting you to complete an IRS form W9s. Our purpose in using this form is to collect a correct Social Security Number for tax reporting, such as the IRS Form 1098(T) that we produce each year at the end of January.
There is a Docusign form or a traditional PDF that can be completed. The Docusign form will be automatically sent to our office when it is complete. The traditional PDF that you can complete must be printed, signed, and either mailed or hand-delivered to our office. Our office is open from 8 am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday.
Docusign Form: Substitute W9(s)
PDF version: Substitute W9(s) Form
The form can be mailed to:
Appalachian State University
Office of Student Accounts
PO Box 32005
Boone NC 28608
Per state, federal, and Internal Revenue Service guidelines, Appalachian State University is required to attempt to verify Social Security Numbers (SSN) and Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for accurate tax reporting on IRS Form 1098-T tax forms. Having an accurate SSN/ITIN on tax forms supports the tax deduction that a student or family may claim for qualified tuition and related expenses charged by and paid to Appalachian State University on both federal and state income tax returns. Failure to provide Appalachian State University with an SSN/ITIN may result in the student being fined $50 from the IRS (not Appalachian State University) in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 6723.