Upon arriving at Brown for graduate studies, you will want to tend to several academic and financial matters, while settling into the area. If you have questions, your program administrator is a good point of contact.
For international students, the Office of International Student & Scholar Services (OISSS) is an important resource.
The most important first step is to complete your I-9 paperwork.
Paige-Robinson Hall
Suite 520
69 Brown Street (corner of Brown and Waterman)
(401) 863-2427
South Street Landing
350 Eddy St, 4th floor
(401) 863-9970
HR Service Center/Cashier's Office
Brown Business Center
Page-Robinson Hall, Room 213
69 Brown Street
Providence, RI 02912
South Street Landing
350 Eddy St, 4th floor
(401) 863-2361
Paige-Robinson Hall
Suite 511
69 Brown Street (corner of Brown and Waterman)
(401) 863-2273
Phone
1-800-772-1213
(401) 528-4501
Federal Center
380 Westminster Street, Third floor
(second building in from corner of Empire and Westminster streets)
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Social Security Administration
55 Broad Street
Pawtucket, RI, 02860
Social Security Number application and instructions can be found at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.
Note: All postdocs MUST have a social security number or PROOF that an application has been filed in order to be PAID by the Brown University Payroll Office. Documents to bring to Social Security Office include: passport, visa or Green Card, DS-2019 form, and your appointment letter.
*International Postdocs must wait ten (10) days from date of arrival before going to the Social Security Office/Federal Center because the Social Security Office needs time to verify your immigration entry records.
New students typically open a local bank account. For convenience only, we offer a list of banks with offices near the Brown campus.
Most postdocs live off-campus in the neighborhoods surrounding Brown. The Housing webpage in the Graduate School's Admitted Students Guide offers some helpful links to connect you with on and off campus options.
If you are considering becoming a Rhode Island resident, you must register your vehicle within 30 days of moving to the state. Proof of auto insurance is required in Rhode Island.
If you drive a vehicle and plan to establish residency in Rhode Island, you must obtain a Rhode Island driver’s license within 30 days of your arrival in Providence.
To register to vote, U.S. citizens must be at least 16 years of age (18 years of age to vote on Election Day) and a legal resident of Rhode Island. For further information on registering to vote, please visit the State of Rhode Island Board of Elections website.
Any Brown community member who is working in a lab is required to attend a laboratory safety training session. These are three-hour classroom sessions covering chemical guidelines, emergency procedures, accident reporting and other essential information that you will need to work in a lab at Brown. You can sign up for a lab safety session