Social Security Collection, Usage, Release

CF collects, uses and releases your Social Security number only if specifically authorized by law to do so, or when it is imperative for the performance of its duties and responsibilities as prescribed by law. To protect your identity, the college will secure your Social Security number from unauthorized access, strictly prohibit the release of your Social Security number to unauthorized parties in compliance with state and federal law, and assign a unique CF identification number. This identification number will be used for all associated employment and educational purposes at CF. Specifically, CF collects, uses or releases a Social Security number for the following purposes:

Admissions

Federal legislation relating to the American Opportunity Tax Credit requires that all postsecondary institutions report student Social Security numbers to the Internal Revenue Service. This IRS requirement makes it necessary for CF to collect the Social Security number of every student. A student may refuse to disclose their Social Security number to CF, but the IRS is then authorized to fine the student in the amount of $50. In addition to the federal reporting requirements, the public school system in Florida uses Social Security numbers as a student identifier (section 229.559, Florida Statutes, new school code section 1008.386). In a seamless K-20 system, it is beneficial for postsecondary institutions to have access to the same information for purposes of tracking and assisting students in the smooth transition from one education level to the next. All Social Security numbers are protected by federal regulation under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Continuing Education, Corporate Training

Under Florida education reporting requirements, students who enroll in continuing education and corporate training seminars are required to submit their Social Security number.

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid at CF requires students and parents of dependent students to submit their Social Security number on various forms in order to correctly identify applicants, match each applicant’s financial aid application information and data with the institution’s records, and to help coordinate state aid programs with federal and institutional aid programs.

Human Resources

The Social Security number is used for legitimate business purposes for completing, processing or distributing the following: employment application forms; Federal I-9 (Department of Homeland Security); Federal W4, W2, 1099 (Internal Revenue Service); Federal Social Security taxes (FICA); Federal W2 (Internal Revenue Service); Unemployment Insurance (Florida Department of Revenue); Florida Retirement System (Florida Department of Management Services); Worker’s Compensation Claims (FCSRMC and Department of Labor); Federal and State Employee and Educational Reports; Direct Deposit Files (Truist, ACH); 403b and 457b contribution reports; group health, life and dental coverage; completing and processing various supplemental insurance deduction reports; background checks; and payroll documents.

Workforce Programs

These programs use Social Security numbers as identifiers for program enrollment and completion. Also, it is used for entering placement information into either the One Stop Management Information System or the Employ Florida Marketplace statewide data collection and reporting system. Because these are performance-based contract programs, it is required that all participants and their program related activities be recorded in the Florida state systems.

Limited Access Health Sciences Programs

Limited access programs in Health Sciences collect Social Security numbers for the purpose of authorizing students and graduates to sit for state and/or national licensure or certification examinations. This information is shared directly with appropriate state and national licensure/certification boards through secure communication platforms as required by each individual licensure/certification board.

Criminal Justice and Public Service Programs

Criminal Justice and Public Service programs collect Social Security numbers for the purpose of authorizing students and graduates to sit for state and/or national licensure or certification examinations as authorized in Florida Statute “943.13 Officers’ Minimum Qualifications for Employment or Appointment” and Florida Administrative Code “11B-27 Certification and Employment or Appointment” and “11B-35.0011 Training Programs.”

Miscellaneous

The Social Security number is used for identification and verification, billings and payments, data collection, reconciliation, tracking, benefit processing, and tax reporting.

Release Statement

Social Security numbers may be disclosed only pursuant to Florida Statute 119.071 (6a – 6h).

Independent Contractors

The college collects contractors’ Social Security numbers in order to file information with the Internal Revenue Service, as required and authorized by federal law.