If you are H4 and want to go to school, the school creates something called "dummy ssn" for you. It is for their internal purpose and doesn't mean anything. So, you don't need TIN. TIN is needed if your spouse wants to declare you as a dependent so that s/he can get a bigger tax break. It is solely for the tax purpose.

But more than that, I am still confused how a dependent on H-1 can pay in-state tuition. Its really good. I don't know what state Sampada is in, but in the websites of many schools it is clearly written that one needs to provide proof of permanent residency in the form of at least I-55 stamp to be considered for in-state. So, sampada wherever you are you are in a real good State!