Baggage and Mail

    If you plan to mail personal belongings, we advise that you mark the package “used personal effects.”  This will facilitate customs clearance. If you will be living anywhere on campus, items that must be shipped should be timed for delivery after you arrive in Princeton. Any items that are delivered to your room before you arrive will be refused and sent back.

UntUntil you know your Princeton address, mail should be sent in care of your academic department. Mail is held until your arrival.

Bringing with You vs. Buying upon Arrival

You should carefully plan what items bring with you and what you can wait to purchase upon arrival. Factors to take into consideration include: cost of shipping, additional baggage charges, immediate need, cost differential, etc. For example, since Princeton has four distinct seasons (summers are hot and humid, winters are cold, and fall and spring are moderate), within a few months of arrival, you will need a warm jacket or coat, boots, gloves, scarves and a raincoat and/or umbrella. Also, electrical appliances you use at home may not be compatible with the U.S. electrical system and may not be permitted in some on-campus housing facilities.

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate can provide you with information regarding customs regulations and restrictions on goods brought into the country. You may also consult the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.

Financial Matters

You should bring traveler’s checks (which can be cashed at U.S. banks and businesses) in U.S. dollars in sufficient amounts to cover your expenses for the first few weeks after arrival. Even if you are fully funded by Princeton University, bring money to cover your initial expenses, as it may be several weeks before you receive your first payment from the University. Also, it is important to note that immigration regulations prohibit students from working off campus except in special circumstances. Do not travel with a large amount of cash. You may wish to open a bank account before entering the U.S. It is best to check with the bank in your home country about the easiest way to transfer money in U.S. dollars. Bank drafts you bring from home to pay for large expenses may take several days to clear at U.S. banks.

Banking Information

     There are several banks located in downtown Princeton that you can contact to set up an account.  You may even want to open a bank account before you come to the U.S. Below is the list of banks that are close to campus. For individual banking questions and/or arrangements, you would need to contact a bank of your choice directly.

      Bank of America, 60 Nassau Street

      Chase, 16 Nassau Street

      PNC Bank, 76 Nassau Street

      Wachovia, 194 Nassau Street 

     Sovereign Bank, 188 Nassau Street    

     Princeton University Credit Union,, 100 Level, Frist Campus Center  

     Health Matters

     Medical records

Bring copies of your medical records and the medical records of  your dependents who are coming with you. You should keep them with other important documents so they will be on hand if necessary. All medical records should be translated into English before coming to the U.S.

Student Health Plan

Every student is required to have health insurance coverage while enrolled at Princeton University. This health insurance must cover off-campus specialty care and hospitalization not provided by the University Health Services (UHS). All graduate students are automatically enrolled in the Princeton University Student Health Plan (SHP). All costs associated with the SHP and the services at UHS are included in the total tuition and required fees.

Dental and Vision Plan

Graduate students may also elect to participate in and pay for, optional vision and dental plans that provide benefits beyond those included in the SHP. For further information, see the University Health Services website. Health Care and Princeton University Health Services will be discussed in more detail during International Graduate Student Orientation.

Social Security Numbers (SSN) & Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)    

      Anyone who receives a salary or wages (not a fellowship or stipend) in the U.S. is required to have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) for payment purposes. Therefore, students who have assistantships or jobs on campus must obtain a SSN. Students with fellowships are not eligible and cannot apply for a social security number. Students with fellowships will receive further instructions on applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) during  International Graduate Student Orientation.

I   If you are eligible for a SSN, you will need to present your immigration documents to the Social Security Administration. Instructions will be give during International Graduate Student Orientation. If your passport is less than one year old, you will also need identification with your name and date of birth that is more than one year old. 

In general, students who have been in the U.S. for fewer than 5 years in F-1/ J-1 status are exempt from paying Social Security tax. However, F-1/J-1 students remain exempt from FICA (Social Security) withholdings, regardless of the amount of time spent in the U.S. if they perform services  (1) as an enrolled student for Princeton; (2) for state and local governments, unless an agreement with the federal government is involved; (3) for a foreign government; or (4) for an international organization.

Income Tax     

    During New Student Sign In all students are required to fill out a W-4 form for U.S. income tax withholding purposes. This form indicates to the University how much money should be withheld from payments made to you as a credit toward your income tax liability.  

    Scholarship and fellowship awards that exceed the amount of tuition and the amount spent on course-required books, fees, supplies, and equipment are considered to be taxable income. Therefore, graduate fellowship maintenance allowances and prizes are subject to federal tax and withholding. Payments received for teaching and performing research (assistantship awards) are also considered to be taxable income. However, taxable payments made to international students on F-1 and J-1 student visas may be exempt from U.S. income taxes under an international tax treaty. Reference Publications 515 and 519 for further information about treaties at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. Information about your eligibility to claim a tax treaty will be provided by the Payroll Office during the first year graduate student sign-in.  

    During the month of January, all persons employed by the University, including students, receive W-2 statements showing their taxable earnings for the year and the amount withheld by the University and already paid to the U.S. Government toward your income tax liability.  

International students may also receive Form 1042-S if they received fellowship income. Students and their dependents are required to file an income tax return by April 15. If the amount of taxes withheld has been greater than required, the student will receive a refund; if less, the student will have to pay additional taxes. Detailed information about tax matters is provided to students in March.

Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)

    If   you will be an F-1 or J-1 student for more than a year, and you wish to drive in the U.S., New Jersey requires that you obtain a New Jersey driver’s license within 60 days of moving to New Jersey. This means that your home country driver’s license or International Driver License is only valid for two months, provided that your country is a member of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic and your license is translated into English by a consulate or an MVC approved translator.

     If you will be an F-1 or J-1 student for less than 1 year, you may use your home country or International Driver License throughout your stay. 

     If you do not have a valid driver’s license, and you wish to drive in the U.S., you may apply for a NJ license. For further details about MVC rules and procedures, please consult the MVC website.