FAQs: UINs
 

Topics

• What is a UIN?
• Is my UIN the same as my Social Security number (SSN)?
• Is my UIN the same as my i-card number?
• What department oversees the UIN?
• Who is eligible for a UIN?
• How do students get UINs?
• How do employees get UINs?
• Are UINs protected by FERPA?
• How should my University department handle UINs?
• What happens if a person has two UINs?
• What if I've left campus but need a UIN for a transaction with the University?

What is a UIN?

The nine-digit University Identification Number (UIN) is a permanent, unique number that identifies an individual as a member of the University community (for example, student, employee, or retiree). It is used to identify that individual in University computer systems. A UIN is assigned to an individual when s/he applies as a student or becomes an employee of the University of Illinois. The UIN is unique across the entire University of Illinois enterprise; it never changes and is never reused.
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Is my UIN the same as my Social Security number (SSN)?

No, your UIN is not your Social Security number. Before creating a new UIN, we check that you don't already have a UIN from a previous affiliation with the University. Having your Social Security number helps ensure a thorough check, but the UIN itself is randomly generated and not based on your Social Security number.
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Is my UIN the same as my ID card number?

No, the UIN is not the same as your ID card number. If you have a University of Illinois ID card (e.g., an i-card, a visitor card, or a special user card>, your 9-digit UIN is printed on your ID card and is separate from your 16-digit card number. Your UIN is used to identify you in University computer systems. Your card number is used to identify your ID card in University computer systems.
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What department oversees the UIN?

i-card Programs generates, maintains, and governs the use of UINs.
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Who is eligible for a UIN?

UINs are assigned to a population that includes, but is not limited to:

• Admitted and enrolled students; and
• All paid employees

• Student and employee applicants;
• Non-degree seeking students;
• Visiting faculty/guest lecturers;
• Faculty and staff retirees;
• Vendors;
• Students of the University of Illinois Laboratory High School ("Uni High");
• Participants in University sponsored programs;
• Alumni of the University of Illinois
• Employees of University Related Organizations (UROs)
  (Examples of UROs are: Prairieland Energy Incorporated, the Alumni Association, and the University of Illinois Foundation.); and
• Others as necessary or deemed appropriate for the University and the individual party.

How do students get UINs?

Students are assigned UINs automatically during the application process.
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How do employees get UINs?

Employees are assigned UINs automatically during the hiring process. Information entered through the DART system is used in checking the University systems for existing UINs and creating UINs for new hires, so it is imperative that departments enter employee data correctly. If a department's new hire already has a UIN, then it should be used when completing the hiring process.
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Are UINs protected by FERPA?

Yes, according to current University policy, student UINs are protected by the Family Educational Rights Protection Act (FERPA). Employee UINs are only subject to FERPA regulations if the employee has, at any time, ever been a student at the University of Illinois.
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How should University departments handle UINs?

FERPA-protected UINs are maintained in accordance with the FERPA policy of the campus with which the student is primarily associated (the campus that will be granting the student a degree or for non-degree students, the campus where the student is enrolled). While the use of the UIN for administrative purposes is strongly encouraged, the UIN must not be publicly displayed, for example, in electronic phonebooks. Also, it is not acceptable to post grades using the UIN.
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What happens if an individual has two UINs?

Occasionally, through human or technological error, multiple UINs are created for an individual. This can cause major problems in the University system for the individual. Contact i-card Programs immediately if you believe that an individual has more than one UIN so that muliple records can be merged. i-card Programs will correct the errors and then report the "good" UIN back to you.
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What if I've left campus but need a UIN for a transaction with the University?

Follow the instructions on the Claim My UIN page. If your affiliation with the University ended before January 1996, you may not have a UIN. To apply for one, fill out the Request for UIN (PDF) form and send it to the fax number or address on the form.
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