Actually they are trying to pass a bill right now in congress which wouldn't allow colleges to use SS numbers so freely. In Alabama, your SS number is dubbed your "Student ID" and you use it for everything. I think it is stupid as hell seeing as your SS number is basically a portal into your information. Who's bright idea was this anyways? Anyways, article here:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory...lature/1812769

(that isn't the story I read but it is an example)