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Grand Rapids Resources

https://www.ridetherapid.org/

The Rapid Bus system serves Campus with a stop at the Burton Street entrance. Routes 6 and 24 pick up and drop off riders from that stop 7 days a week.

Calvin provides a discounted bus fare to staff, faculty and students using our Calvin Wave Cards. Request one of these cards through the Service Learning Center. When using this card, the fare is $0.50 per ride.

All individuals in H-1B, TN, E-3 and O-1 status are eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). SSNs are only issued once (though you can replace the card if you have lost one). If you don't have a SSN, you will have to apply for one in person at the nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

It can take one to three hours to apply, so give yourself plenty of time. The closest SSA office is located at 3045 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI. The office is only open Monday-Friday.

Take the following documents to your appointment:

  • Passport
  • Original DS-2019 (for J-1 visa holders only)
  • Original H-1B petition approval notice (for H-1B visa holders only)
  • I-94 card or record,
  • I-797 Approval Notice (if applicable)
  • Offer letter (recommended)
  • Form SS-5 (https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf). Fill out as much of this form as possible before you go. If you have questions about any part, leave it blank and ask the SSA workers when you go to the SSA office.

You will need identification such as a passport to open an account, but you do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) to open a bank account for most financial transactions. And, most banks do not require an SSN for online banking; however an SSN is needed in order to obtain a credit card

Grand Rapids Area Banks

  • Chase Bank
    • Largest in the United States
    • lots of branches in the Grand Rapids Area
    • Lots of international ATMs
    • 2%-5% foreign transaction fee
  • Bank of America
  • Fifth Third Bank
    • large regional bank
    • lots of local branches
    • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU)
    • small credit union, only in Michigan and Florida (but can be used anywhere in the world for making purchases)
    • On campus ATMs
    • No international branches, lots of GR branches
    • 1% foreign transaction fee

 

Grand Rapids has many cell phone providers who cover this area and the entire United States. You may be able to keep your cell phone and switch to a US plan even if you purchased that phone internationally. This may not be possible for older phones. Compare plans.

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