Spring 2026 Trips to the Hudson Social Security Office
The Office for Student and Scholar Services will be providing transportation to the Social Security Office in Hudson on the following Friday mornings for the Spring 2026 Semester:
February 6, February 20, March 6, March 27, April 10, May 8
The Van/Bus will leave from Gahagen House each day at 9:15 am.
February 6, February 20, March 6, March 27, April 10, May 8
The Van/Bus will leave from Gahagen House each day at 9:15 am.
Please arrive on time with ALL of the following documents:
*Completed SSN Application
*Completed Employment Authorization Form or letter on Bard letterhead
*Valid Passport
*I-20 (F-1 student) or DS-2019 (J-1 student/scholar)
*I-94 arrival record
For more information email: [email protected].
Applying for a Social Security Card
A Social Security Number (SSN) is used primarily for tax record-keeping purposes and other government benefits for permanent residents. Employers use the SSN to maintain payroll records and as a form of identification for the I-9 Employment Eligibility Form. Most employers require a Social Security Number from their employees. As a result, scholars and F-1 and J-1 student visa holders are required to apply for a Social Security card as soon as they are employed in the United States. You need to provide proof of submitting your Social Security card application to the Human Resources or Student Employment Office by providing the notice of receipt sent by the Social Security Office after you submit your application during your one-on-one interview.
As an employee of the College with a SSN you are required to pay income taxes on your wages. Income taxes are paid to different levels of the government, and you will owe federal and New York state income taxes for your employment at Bard College. If you work in other states, or in some cities (such as NYC), you may also owe income taxes there. Your employer will take (withhold) some of your wage earnings and send those to the federal, state, and local tax authorities on your behalf. This is an estimate of the amount of tax you will owe. U.S. taxes are based on a calendar year, and after the year is completed you will receive a W-2 form from Bard College which reports to the tax authorities and to you the total amount of your wage income, and the amounts that were withheld for taxes. If you have a treaty benefit, you may also receive a 1042-S form that reports some or all of your wage income. It is your responsibility to prepare an annual set of tax return forms for each tax authority. These forms are the actual calculation for how much tax you owe. They will report all of your income during that particular calendar year, any deductions or credits you are eligible for, the tax you have already paid, and your final result - any additional tax you may owe, or a refund of any extra tax you have already paid.
As an employee of the College with a SSN you are required to pay income taxes on your wages. Income taxes are paid to different levels of the government, and you will owe federal and New York state income taxes for your employment at Bard College. If you work in other states, or in some cities (such as NYC), you may also owe income taxes there. Your employer will take (withhold) some of your wage earnings and send those to the federal, state, and local tax authorities on your behalf. This is an estimate of the amount of tax you will owe. U.S. taxes are based on a calendar year, and after the year is completed you will receive a W-2 form from Bard College which reports to the tax authorities and to you the total amount of your wage income, and the amounts that were withheld for taxes. If you have a treaty benefit, you may also receive a 1042-S form that reports some or all of your wage income. It is your responsibility to prepare an annual set of tax return forms for each tax authority. These forms are the actual calculation for how much tax you owe. They will report all of your income during that particular calendar year, any deductions or credits you are eligible for, the tax you have already paid, and your final result - any additional tax you may owe, or a refund of any extra tax you have already paid.
Bard partners with a nonprofit called NoRTH to provide free tax software and to support international students prepare their annual tax return forms each year.
Social Security Application Assistance
IILE Student Ambassadors will be available at specific times throughout the week to advise on the SSN application process and review application materials. Students must have their application materials reviewed by an IILE Student Ambassador before requesting a DSO signature on their Employment Verification form.
Social Security Application Assistance is available on a walk-in basis in Gahagen House at the following times:
Monday: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Monday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Thursday: 300 pm - 5:00 pm
How to Protect Your Social Security Information
To protect your Social Security number (SSN):
- Keep your card in a safe place at home and memorize your SSN
- Do not carry your card or provide your SSN unless absolutely necessary
- Always ask why it's needed and how it will be used, and shred documents containing your SSN before discarding them
- Create a personal "my Social Security" account to monitor for suspicious activity and report any suspected identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.