Hello!  This page contains information about life on campus and will hopefully answer questions you have about studying at Babson.

Check-In/Registration 
When you arrive on campus, please check in with the Office of International Programs as soon as possible.  Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm.  You must bring your passport and other Visa documentation with you so that you can be checked in by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).  Also, check in with the Education Abroad staff soo that you can receive your welcome packet, full of important information. 

Orientation
All exchange students are required to participate in a New Student Orientation program. For information on the Undergraduate and MBA Orientations, please click here.

Student Services 
There are many services available to students at Babson.  Please click here for a summary of these services.

Driver's License 
Exchange students may drive, rent or buy a car while in the U.S.  Please click here for detailed information about obtaining a U.S. driver's license, renting a car, buying a car, driving in the U.S. and obtaining a Massachusetts I.D card.

Social Security
Social Security numbers are unique identification numbers assigned by the United States Federal Government, not by Babson College. They are required for those who will work in the United States. They are not required to obtain a driver’s license or file federal tax forms. A “Denial Letter” from the Social Security Office can be used to obtain a driver’s license (issued on the spot). An “Individual Taxpayer Identification Number” from the Internal Revenue Service can be used to file tax forms (it takes about 6 weeks to obtain this number). Please inform the Registrar’s Office of your Social Security number if you obtain one. You may only obtain a Social Security number if you are authorized to work in the United States. Dependents of J-1 students are eligible to work and to obtain a Social Security number but they must meet with the Responsible Officer to apply for Employment Authorization before they can apply for a Social Security number.

To obtain a Social Security Number, request an eligibility letter from the International Student Advisor. The letter will be prepared within two days and you can either pick it up or have it sent to your Babson mailbox. You will also need to complete a Social Security Application Form. For item #3, select “Legal Alien allowed to work”. If you have employment authorization from the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service, you may use your USCIS Employment Authorization Card instead of an eligibility letter.  For additional social security information and the nearest Social Security Office, please see pages 7-8 of the Exchange Student Handbook.

Tax Information
All J-1 visa holders who have been in the U.S. for less than 5 years are Nonresidents for tax purposes and must file the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8843. Those who have had U.S. source of income must also file Form 1040NR or 1040NREZ and some may have to file a Massachusetts State tax form as well. Babson College OIP staff are not trained or qualified to advise students on tax issues, but we do provide resources to assist you with understanding your U.S. tax obligations and filing requirements. During tax season, information handouts and IRS publications are available in our office, and you will have access to a non-immigrant tax software to assist you with filing your taxes. OIP also sponsors a Tax Information Workshop in February.

Read more about tax information for international students.