Additional Information

• What is a Social Security Number?  
  • Your SSN is used for tax reporting and employment purposes. Keep it private and secure. Do not share it unless it is with a trusted source such as your employer or verified banking official.   
• Who qualifies for an SSN  
  • F- 1 students are eligible for a Social Security Number 10 days after they arrive on campus.  
• How/when to apply  
  • International Student Support will send out information regarding group trips to the social security office. See here for information on obtaining a Social Security Card.  
• What documents are needed  
  • Assigned letter from a DSO, your most recent I- 20, passport, visa, and I- 94.  

You can find additional information on Social Security Numbers in your Terra Dotta F-1 Student Portal. 

• Why you might want one 
  • A State ID or driver’s license can serve as an official photo ID for domestic travel, proving your age, or driving in the U.S. See: How to get a State ID 
• Where and how to apply 
  • You can apply at a local Secretary of State office (in Illinois, this is the DMV). 
• What documents to bring 
  • Bring your passport, visa, I-20, I-94, and proof of local address 

You can find additional information on state IDs and driver's licenses in your Terra Dotta F-1 Student Portal. 

• How to open a U.S. bank account 
  • Most students open a checking account at a local bank shortly after arrival. To open an account, you’ll usually need your passport, I-20, I-94, and proof of address (such as a housing letter or utility bill). Common banks in the Lake Forest area include Chase (Most Popular), Bank of America, and PNC. 
• Debit vs. credit cards 
  • Debit cards are a convenient and safe way to make purchases using your own money directly from your checking account. They are widely accepted in stores, online, and at ATMs, making them ideal for everyday use. Unlike credit cards, there’s no risk of debt or interest charges, and no credit check is required to get one. 
  • Credit cards allow you to borrow money up to a limit and pay it back later. Use with caution - having a credit card comes with a lot of responsibility. Interest and fees add up if not paid in full each month and can quickly become unmanageable. 
• Sending money home 
  • Many banks and apps offer international transfers. Compare fees and exchange rates before choosing a method. You may need to provide your home country bank’s routing details and confirm any limits or ID requirements. 
• Spending Responsibly 
  
  • Never spend more than you have: Credit card debt is a big issue in the US. A lot of this is a result of credit card holders spending more than they actually have coming in. Be certain that you can pay back what you borrow, plus any interest you accrue, before making a purchase. Spending more than you have in your bank account using your debit card may lead to overdraft fees which add up each time you make a purchase. 
  • If you pay the full balance on your credit card at the end of the month, you’ll avoid paying a lot of interest. Try not to leave a balance on your card for longer than a month. Set up payment reminders or enroll in bill auto-pay. 
  • As an F-1 student, your primary responsibility in the U.S. is your education. This includes making sure all money owed to the College is paid on time. It is important to settle any outstanding balances and stay current with tax or financial obligations before spending money on vacations or other non-essential items.  

You can find additional information on banking in your Terra Dotta F-1 Student Portal. 

As an F-1 student, you are required to file U.S. tax forms each year, even if you didn’t work. Some students receive a refund, while others may owe taxes - especially if they worked or received a scholarship that covers non-tuition expenses like room, board, or travel, which may be considered taxable income. It’s important to understand your tax obligations and file accurately to remain in compliance with immigration regulations. For further information on tax filing and requirements, please see the “Planning for Personal Expenses” guide on your Terra Dotta F-1 student portal. 

U.S. income tax system basics 

The U.S. uses a pay-as-you-go system. Taxes are usually withheld from your paycheck, stipend, or financial aid automatically. Withholding amounts are based on: 

• Your W-4 or other tax forms 
• Your tax filing status 
• Possible tax treaty benefits based on your country of residence 
• Your take-home pay may be lower than your total earnings. Review your first paycheck to ensure the correct taxes are being withheld. 
• The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) handles federal tax collection. 
• You must file a federal & state tax return every April for the prior calendar year. 
• You'll use tax software (Glacier) to calculate your actual tax liability. 
• You may get a refund or owe additional taxes depending on what was withheld. 

Timing and deadlines 

• The U.S. tax year runs from January 1 to December 31. 
• Tax returns are filed by April 15th of the following year. 
• Lake Forest College provides annual guidance and information sessions and access to tax preparation software each spring. 

You can find additional information on taxes in your Terra Dotta F-1 Student Portal. 

Local Transportation in Lake Forest, IL  

• On Foot or by Bike: Lake Forest is walkable and bike-friendly, especially near campus.  
• Local Buses: Pace Bus offers limited service within Lake County. Check routes/schedules online.  
• Ride Apps: Uber and Lyft are available for local trips.  

Traveling Between Lake Forest and Chicago  

• Train: Take the Metra Union Pacific North Line from Lake Forest to downtown Chicago (Ogilvie Station). About 1 hour.  
• Car: About 30–45 minutes to Chicago by car (depending on traffic).  
• Bike: Possible but long (30+ miles) and not recommended for daily travel. Some scenic trails lead south.  

Exploring Other Cities/States from Lake Forest  

• Train: Metra connects to Amtrak in downtown Chicago for travel across the U.S.  
• Subway: Use CTA “L” trains within Chicago. Metra connects to CTA at downtown stations.  
• Car: Easy access to major highways like I-94 for road trips or travel to nearby towns. 
• Air Travel: Fly from O’Hare International Airport (about 30–40 mins by car or via Metra + CTA Blue Line). Midway Airport is also accessible via Metra + CTA (longer trip).  

• The Fresh Market (walkable)

• Jewel-Osco (walkable)

• Target (15-minute drive)

• Sunset Foods (15-minute drive)

• Heinen’s Grocery Store (15-minute drive)

• Whole Foods Market (20-minute drive)

• Walmart (20-minute drive)

• Walgreens Pharmacy (walkable)

• CVS Pharmacy (walkable)

Lake Forest College is committed to supporting students of all faiths and worldviews. If you do not see your religious or cultural tradition listed here, please contact us - we are happy to help connect you to nearby communities or resources. 

Christ Church of Lake Forest  
Non-denominational Evangelical Christian  
100 N. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

Christ of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church  
Episcopal Christian  
400 E Westminster Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

Church of St. Mary  
Roman Catholic  
175 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

St. Patrick Catholic Church  
Roman Catholic  
991 S Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest  
Presbyterian Christian  
700 N Sheridan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

First Baptist Church of Lake Forest  
Baptist Christian  
673 Oakwood Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

Faith Lutheran Church  
Lutheran Christian  
680 W Deerpath Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

St. James Lutheran Church  
Lutheran Christian  
1380 N Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

Friends Meeting of Lake Forest  
Quaker  
101 W Old Elm St, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

Islamic Cultural Center – Greater Chicago  
Muslim  
1800 Pfingsten Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062  

Islamic Foundation North (Masjid Libertyville)  
Muslim  
1751 O’Plaine Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048  

Chabad of Lake Forest  
Jewish (Chabad)  
Lake Forest, IL  

North Shore Congregation Israel  
Reform Jewish  
1185 Sheridan Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022  

Chicago Zen Center  
Buddhist  
2161 N. Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 (near Evanston)  

House of Worship (Baha’i)  
Baha’i Faith  
100 Linden Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091  

New Gračanica Monastery  
Serbian Orthodox Christian  
18501 W. St. Francis Rd, Third Lake, IL 60030  

Gorton Community Center  
Cultural / Community Center  
400 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

Ragdale Foundation  
Arts Residency / Cultural Hub  
700 Hunter Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045  

Hindu Mandir of Lake County  
Hindu  
20444 W Peterson Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030  

Hanuman Mandir of Lake County  
Hindu  
3623 W Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 60025  

Gurdwara Sahib of Palatine  
Sikh  
1280 Winnetka St, Palatine, IL 60067  

Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago  
Jain  
435 N Route 83, Bartlett, IL 60103  

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) - Work authorization for internships. All Internships must be credit bearing. 

DSO (Designated School Official) - A school staff member (like us!) authorized to assist you with your F-1 status and SEVIS updates.  

F-1 Visa - A nonimmigrant student visa for full-time academic study in the U.S.  

I-20 - A government form issued by your school that proves your F-1 status and includes key information about your program and funding.  

I-94 - Your official arrival/departure record. You can access it online after entering the U.S.  

OPT (Optional Practical Training) - A type of work authorization that allows F-1 students to work in their field of study during or after completing their degree.  

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) - A U.S. government system that tracks F-1 students and their school information.  

SEVIS ID - A unique number on your I-20 that starts with “N00…” and is required for paying the SEVIS fee and visa application.  

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) - The federal agency that processes immigration benefits like OPT.  

Visa vs. Status - A visa allows entry into the U.S., but your F-1 status is based on maintaining full-time enrollment and following immigration rules.  

Academic adviser: A member of a school's faculty who provides advice and guidance to students on academic matters, such as course selections. 

Academic year: Annual period during which a student attends and receives formal instruction at a college or university, typically from August or September to May or June. The academic year may be divided into semesters, trimesters, quarters or other calendars. 

Accredited: Official recognition that a college or university meets the standards of a regional or national association. Although international students are not required to attend an accredited college or university in the United States, employers, other schools and governments worldwide often only recognize degrees from accredited schools. 

Affidavit of Support: An official document proving adequate funding from an individual or organization to cover an international student's educational and living expenses while enrolled at a U.S. college or university. 

AP (Advanced Placement program): A program offered by the College Board, a U.S.-based nonprofit educational organization, that allows students to take college-level courses while in high school. Students can then take standardized AP exams; those with qualifying scores can earn credit at certain colleges and universities. 

Assistantship: A financial aid award granted to a graduate student to help pay for tuition that is offered in return for certain services, such as serving as a teaching assistant or research assistant. 

Associate's: An undergraduate degree awarded by a college or university upon successful completion of a program of study, usually requiring two years of full-time study. 

Bachelor's: An undergraduate degree awarded by a college or university upon successful completion of a program of study, typically requiring at least four years of full-time study. 

Campus: The grounds and buildings where a college or university is located. 

Career services: An office that offers counseling, workshops, and resources to help students find internships and jobs or apply to graduate programs. 

Coed: Open to both men and women, often describing a school or dormitory. 

College: A postsecondary institution that typically provides undergraduate education and sometimes graduate degrees. 

Commencement: A graduation ceremony where students officially receive their degrees. 

Common Application: A standard application form accepted by many U.S. colleges and universities for admissions. 

Community college: A public, two-year institution offering associate degrees and career training. 

Conditional admission: Admission contingent on meeting specific criteria before enrollment, such as English language proficiency. 

Co-op: Cooperative education programs that allow students to work full-time to gain experience in their field. 

Core requirements: Mandatory courses required for a degree. 

Course: A regularly scheduled class on a specific subject. 

Course load: The number of courses or credits taken during a term. 

Credits: Units used to measure completion of coursework toward a degree. 

Curriculum: A set program of study made up of required and elective courses. 

Deferral / Deferred admission: A delay in a student’s enrollment or a decision on their application. 

Degree: A title or diploma awarded after completing a program of study. 

Department: A division within a college focused on a specific field of study. 

Discipline: A field or subject of academic study. 

Doctorate (Ph.D.): The highest academic degree, requiring extensive graduate study and original research. 

Dormitories (dorms)/Residence Halls: On-campus housing for students. 

Double major: Completion of course requirements for two majors simultaneously. 

Drop: To withdraw from a course. 

DSO (designated school official): A school employee who supports international students with immigration compliance. 

Electives: Optional courses that count toward a degree. 

Enroll: To register for a course or program of study. 

ESL (English as a Second Language): Programs for teaching English to non-native speakers. 

Exempt: Not required to complete a task or requirement due to prior qualifications. 

Extracurricular activities: Activities outside of academics, such as sports or clubs. 

Faculty: Teaching and academic staff at a college or university. 

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Used by U.S. citizens to apply for government financial aid. 

Fees: Additional charges by colleges for services like libraries and technology. 

Fellowship: A financial award for graduate students, often based on academic achievement. 

FERPA: A federal law protecting the privacy of student education records. 

Financial aid: Funding to help students pay for their education, including scholarships, grants, and loans. 

Fraternity: A student organization for men, often focused on social, academic, or service activities. 

Freshman/First Year: A student in the first year of college or high school. 

Full-time student: A student taking the minimum number of credits required for full enrollment. 

GPA (Grade point average): A numerical average of a student’s academic performance. 

Grade: A score indicating performance on coursework or exams. 

Graduate school: An institution or division that offers advanced degrees. 

Graduate student / graduate studies: A student pursuing a master’s, doctorate, or graduate certificate. 

Grant: Financial aid that does not need to be repaid, often based on need. 

Greek life / Greek system: Fraternities and sororities organized around Greek letters. 

High school: A secondary school offering grades 9–12. 

Higher education: Education beyond high school, such as college or university studies. 

Internship: Work experience in a professional setting, sometimes for credit or pay. 

IRS (Internal Revenue Service): The U.S. agency responsible for collecting taxes. 

Junior: A student in the third year of high school or college. 

Letter of recommendation: A letter evaluating a student's qualifications for admission or employment. 

Liberal arts: Academic subjects including humanities, sciences, and social sciences. 

Liberal arts college: A college focused on undergraduate liberal arts education. 

Loan: Borrowed money for education that must be repaid, often with interest. 

Major: The primary academic focus of an undergraduate student. 

Master's: A graduate degree requiring one to two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. 

Matriculate: To formally enroll in a degree program. 

Midterm exam: An exam given halfway through a course to assess progress. 

Minor: A secondary academic focus requiring fewer courses than a major. 

Need-based financial aid: Aid awarded based on financial need rather than merit. 

Nonresident: A student who does not meet a state’s residency requirements; most international students are nonresidents. 

Notarized: Officially certified by a notary public or authorized official. 

Orientation: A program to help new students adjust and prepare for college life. 

Part-time student: A student taking fewer than the required credits for full-time status. 

Pass-fail: A grading option that gives a "pass" or "fail" rather than a letter grade. 

Plagiarism: Using another’s words or ideas without proper credit. 

Prerequisite: A course required before enrolling in a more advanced one. 

Probation: A warning status due to low academic performance or behavioral issues. 

Provost: The senior academic officer of a college or university. 

RA (Resident assistant): A student who supervises dorm life and assists peers. 

Registrar: The official responsible for student records and course registration. 

Registration: The process of enrolling in courses each term. 

Room and board: Housing and meals provided as part of the cost of attendance. 

Scholarship: Financial aid given as a gift based on merit or need. 

Semesters: Academic periods typically lasting 15–18 weeks. 

Seminar: A small, discussion-based course for more advanced students. 

Senior: A student in the fourth year of high school or college. 

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System): A U.S. government database tracking international students. 

Social Security number: A unique number used for employment and tax purposes in the U.S. 

Sophomore: A student in the second year of high school or college. 

Sorority: A student organization for women with a social, academic, or service focus. 

STEM: An acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. 

TA (Teaching assistant): A graduate student who helps teach undergraduate courses. 

Tenure: Permanent employment status for faculty, based on teaching and research. 

Term: A period of academic instruction such as a semester or quarter. 

Thesis: A formal paper or project required for some academic degrees. 

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): A standardized test measuring English proficiency. 

Transcript: An official record of a student’s courses and grades. 

Transfer credit: Credit accepted from another institution toward a degree. 

Tuition: The cost of instruction at a college or university. 

Undergraduate student / undergraduate studies: A student pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree. 

Visa: An official authorization allowing entry into the U.S. for study or exchange. 

Wait list: A list of students who may be offered admission if space becomes available. 

Withdraw: To formally leave a course or institution.