FAQs: University Identification Numbers
Topics on this page
- What is a UIN?
- How do I find my UIN or get one?
- Who gets UINs?
- How do students and employees get UINs?
- What is FERPA?
- How does my campus protect UINs and follow FERPA law?
- Is my UIN the same as my Social Security or ID card number?
- Who manages UINs?
What is a UIN?
A University Identification Number (UIN) is a string of nine digits that begins with a 6. UINs are used to identify people in University of Illinois' computer and record systems.
Each UIN is unique across the entire University enterprise; it never changes and is never re-used.
People use UINs to perform or assist in completing University-related activities such as registering for classes, paying tuition, borrowing library materials, or even ordering transcripts.
How do I find my UIN or get one?
Look on your University ID card for the label "UIN." UINs are nine numbers that start with a 6.
Visit the University Identification Numbers page, or contact i-card Programs.
Who gets UINs?
UINs are always assigned to:
- Persons who apply for admission
- Enrolled students in degree programs
- Paid employees
- Students at Chicago's Noble Street Charter School
- Students at Urbana's University Laboratory High School ("Uni High")
UINs may be assigned to other groups that include, but are not limited to:
- Students not seeking degrees
- Visiting faculty and guest lecturers
- Faculty and staff retirees
- Persons seeking Campus Recreation membership
- Participants in University-sponsored programs
- Alumni
- Employees of official University Related Organizations
- Persons needing NetIDs
- Others as necessary or deemed appropriate for the University and the individual.
How do students and employees get UINs?
- University students are assigned UINs automatically when they apply for admission.
- Employees are assigned UINs automatically during the hiring process, when departments enter employee information in DART (an interface for department human resources).
What is FERPA?
FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights Protection Act, a Federal law that protects the privacy of students in regards to education records. The University of Illinois is subject to FERPA, because it applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
A thorough explanation of FERPA is in a United States National Archives and Records Administration document.
How does my campus protect UINs and follow FERPA law?
Each University campus maintains student UINs in accordance with the FERPA policy of each student's primary campus. A student's primary campus is the campus that will be granting a student a degree or the campus where a non-degree student is enrolled.
Here are links to University FERPA-related policies and guidelines:
- Urbana campus Administrative Manual FERPA Guidelines
- Urbana campus Student Records Guidelines and Regulations
- Urbana campus Primer for Parents
Is my UIN the same as my Social Security or ID card number?
Each University Identification Number (UIN) is unique and never matches any SSN or ID card number.
- UINs are randomly generated and are not based on SSNs.
- Your ID number identifies your ID card and is changed whenever you replace your ID. ID card numbers help ensure that only your most current ID is accepted as valid.
Who manages UINs?
i-card Programs generates, maintains, and governs the use of UINs.