International Relations & Brennan Center

A New York state non-driver photo ID contains the same photo, signature and personal information as a driver’s license and is secure against fraud or alteration. It can be a useful proof of identity and can be used in place of your passport for everyday identification needs, such as check cashing.

1. You can obtain a New York state non-driver photo ID through the Niagara County Department of Motor Vehicles, located at:
   1001 11th Street
   Trott Access Building
   Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14301
   716.278.1970
2. Your I-20 must have at least six months remaining. It must have been issued for more than one year.
3. You must fill out an MV-44 form.
4. You must provide “proof of identity” totaling four points (explained below), plus a social security card (worth two points, for a total of six points). If you do not have a social security card, you must provide a letter from the Social Security Administration or form SSA-L676 explaining why you are ineligible for a social security card.
5. Each document submitted must be an original or certified by the issuing agency. One must have your signature, and one must show your date of birth. In most cases, your passport will have your date of birth and signature, and that is sufficient for both purposes.
6. Document point values are as follows:
   
   • I-20 AND Passport: 3 points (proves date of birth)
   • Social Security Card: 2 points
   • U.S. College Photo ID: 2 points
   • Computer Printed Pay Stub: 1 point
   • U.S. Health Insurance Card: 1 point
   • W-2 with Social Security Number: 1 point
   • Bank statement OR canceled, preprinted check OR signed ATM/debit card OR valid major U.S. credit card: 1 point

Further information is available from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition, ICE issued a July 2009 DMV Fact Sheet that, although not specific to New York state, provides many general answers to frequently asked questions.

Navigating your finances can be an opportunity to learn more about what the United States expects of its citizens. To assist with common financial obligations and situations you will encounter, please reference this page, where you will find information regarding New York state taxpaying requirements. The information on this page may not be relied upon in preparing your individual tax return.

Nonimmigrants – both the principal and dependents in F or J status that are considered “nonresidents for tax purposes” are required to file an individual income tax form. This form needs to be completed even if the nonimmigrant does not have any source of United States income of any kind.

During the tax year, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, taxes are withheld from the total earnings of individuals who work in the United States or have other United States income. On April 15 of the following year, individuals must file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service, the United States government agency that is responsible for the collection of federal income taxes. They may also need to file with tax authorities in the state(s) where they were employed during that particular year. After their taxes are filed, individuals are able to request a refund if more taxes were withheld than was required, or may need to pay additional taxes if not enough were withheld.

The Office of International Relations is neither qualified nor permitted to answer questions from international students regarding their tax information or tax liabilities. We recommend a user-friendly, web-based, nonresident alien tax preparation service called GLACIER Tax Prep to assist you with your taxes (including filling a nonresident tax return), or to generate a completed 8843 Form. 

International students and scholars can register with the GLACIER Tax Prep website and complete federal nonresident tax forms. In order to have a complete federal tax return, you will include either Form 1040R or Form 1040NR-EZ, depending on your situation, and Form 8843. If you do not have a social security number and have nonemployment income, GLACIER will also generate a Form W-7, which is an application form for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and is sent with your other federal tax forms. A scholarship grant, fellowship and/or stipend is considered nonemployment income.  

GLACIER Tax Prep will assist you in completing all required nonresident federal forms according to the answers that you provide. When you have registered and paid, you will have to print the forms, sign and date them accordingly, and follow the provided mailing instructions.

Below is a list of forms that GLACIER Tax Prep may generate for you. The links also provide any instruction booklet on the IRS website if you want to see them before you begin your tax return with GLACIER Tax Prep. It is recommended that you review the instruction booklets but is not necessary.    

• Federal Form 1040NR-EZ
• Federal Form 1040NR-EZ Instructions
• Federal Form 1040NR
• Federal Form 1040NR Instructions
• Federal Form 8843
• Federal Form W-7
• #970 Tax Benefits for Education
• #519 United States Tax Guide for Aliens
• #901 United States Tax Treaties
• Foreign Students and Scholars  – IRS site on taxes for nonresidents for tax purposes.
• NAFSA Federal Income Tax Brochure – Thorough and concise overview of U.S. taxes for nonresident alien students.

GLACIER Tax Prep does not prepare any state or local tax returns. New York state forms are available at the  New York State Current Tax Forms website.

New York State Nonresident Forms:

• IT-203B
• Instructions for IT-203 and IT-203B
• IT-2

New York State Resident Forms:

• IT-201
• Instructions for IT-201

The university requires that all Niagara students live in the residence halls for their first two years, except as noted below. The need for this regulation is predicated on statistics that show students who live in residence halls tend to perform better academically, acclimate more rapidly to the collegiate environment, become involved in a greater number of learning experiences that complement classroom teachings, and are more satisfied in general with the college experience.

The only exceptions to the residency requirement are:

• Commuters: Students commuting from their parent/guardian’s permanent home address, which is no more than 50 miles from campus.
• Transfers: Students who enter Niagara University with junior or senior status as determined at the time of admission.
• Married students (with proof of marriage certificate).
• Veterans (with proof of military service).
• Independents: Students who show proof of maintaining financial independence for at least two years prior to submission of a request to live off campus.