Practical Information - Colorado College

Social Security
Driver’s License
Taxes

Social Security
A Social Security number is generally assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. Social Security numbers are used to report your wages to the U.S. government and to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits. If you are planning to work while you are a student at Colorado College, you must apply for a Social Security number.  Only those students who have been authorized to work, and who have a job offer, will be eligible for a number.   

You are not required to have a Social Security number before you start work.  However, you should apply for one as soon as you have been offered a job. Once you have submitted your application to the Social Security administration, you will receive a receipt.  You should bring a copy of this receipt to the Human Resources office.  They will be able to use this receipt until your permanent card and number are sent to you by mail. It normally takes 2-8 weeks to receive this card.

Our office will assist students with applications for Social Security cards during Block 1.  You will also find additional information about the application procedures below:  

Application Procedures

1. After you have received an offer to work on-campus, obtain a letter from our office.  Your supervisor will need to complete and sign the letter and print out on departmental letterhead.
2. Complete the application form for a Social Security card. 
3. Bring your completed application, authorization letter, I-20, passport and I-94 card to the Social Security office, located at 1049 N. Academy Road. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Driver's License
To get a Colorado driver’s license, you must go to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  There is an office located about 15 minutes away from campus by car (4420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, tel. 719-594-8701). Once there, you will have to pass both a written and a driving exam to be awarded your license.

As an international student in F-1 status, you will need to bring in your original passport, I-94, your I-20, and a letter from our office. In addition, if you do not have a social security number, you must first go to the Social Security Office and obtain a letter of denial for your application of a social security number before going to the DMV. Photocopies of documents will not be accepted.  The cost for obtaining a driver license is $15.60.

The written test is not very difficult, but you will need to study! You may download a handbook and more information about Colorado driving requirements from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Everything you will need to know for the written test is contained in the handbook.  

After you pass the written test, you will be able to take the "road test."  This consists of driving your car while accompanied by a driver’s license examiner.  You must provide your own car (or a friend's car) for this test.  

We also recommend that students consider attending a private driver's education school.  Classes range from one intensive weekend to a full semester.  Get a list of private driving schools.

Please contact our office for more information.

Taxes
The U.S. income tax system is based on a collection of taxes during the year and the annual filing of a “tax return” (a statement of income earned and any tax exemptions).  Almost everyone who lives in the United States must pay federal income taxes, including international students. Unless you qualify under a tax treaty between the United States and your home government, employers are required by law to withhold those taxes from your paychecks. Tax returns must be filed by April 15th.