Before You Arrive at Penn State

Initiating Your Faculty Appointment
At the time you receive the offer of an appointment (or shortly after), you will be sent a package of information with a variety of forms to complete and informational materials.

Dual Career Services
Penn State offers the services of a Dual Career Coordinator through the Office of Human Resources to assist the partners of new or recently-hired faculty and staff in locating a job locally. Information about the program can be found at the link above.

If your spouse or partner might benefit from this assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. It would be helpful if you inform your department head about it and provide him/her with a copy of your partner's resume or c.v. -often the department head can play a role in facilitating referrals, or may have some ideas about opportunities. Our Human Resources Representative may also be able to help (Jennifer Morris at 863-8426).

Information For Non-US Residents
Here you will find a range of information for non-US residents from obtaining a Pennsylvania Driver's License, to Visa information, to tax laws.

Information About State College
Here you will find information about Central Pennsylvania including downtown State College, Centre county, and PSU. So check out the real estate guide, current movie listings, sports, the take out and delivery guide , and business directory.

Find A Place To Live
Check the local newspaper ( Centre Daily Times - "CDT" ), the University newspaper ( The Collegian ), and the State College realty web site http://www.happyvalleyhomes.com for housing.

A listserve where new incoming faculty can subscribe to get information regarding available housing, etc.: http://lists.psu.edu/archives/l-new-faculty-net.html and then click on "Join or Leave L-NEW-FACULTY-NET ".

Collect all the information that you can before you make a choice regarding housing.

Make sure that you make the necessary arrangements to have your utilities connected.  Also remember that you may need to make arrangements to have the utilities disconnected when you move out.  Please check the guidelines stipulated on the lease and with the property manager in this regard.

Banking Information
If you are paid through a University funding source, you will need a US checking or savings account so that your paycheck can be direct-deposited into that account each month (deposits are made on the last working day of the month). You will need to complete a salary deposit form (see your departmental contact person) and attach either a voided check (a blank, unsigned check bearing your checking account number, on which you've written "VOID") or a savings deposit slip.

You may open a checking and/or savings account at the Penn State Federal Credit Union, located in suite 102 of the HUB-Robeson Center. For other banks in State College, see the listings in the Yellow Pages of the State College phone directory.

You must have a social security number to open an account. Apply at the Social Security Office, 901 University Drive, Suite 2; phone 238-5035.

When you open a checking or savings account at any of these banks, you may choose to have an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or debit card. There are several ATMs on campus representing different banks; locations include the Kern Building Lobby and the lower level of the HUB-Robeson Center.

Local Schools 
Public Schools
Private Schools

Child Day Care 
The State College area provides several options for child day care including 3 Penn State University on-campus daycares.
Day Care Centers in State College (including on campus)
Complete listing of child care providers in the State College area
(For the most up-to-date list call 814-865-9346.)  
Other child care information including summer camps information

PSU Employee Benefits
With this link you can access a summary of health care benefits for regular full-time faculty and staff members of Penn State University.

Driver's License/Car Registration
With this link you can access contact information for obtaining a driver's license, and getting your car registered. You can also register to vote at the driver's license center.

PAYROLL
You will be paid monthly. Within a few days of arrival you should complete all necessary paperwork for Payroll as well as a direct deposit form. You will receive your pay stub in interoffice mail a few days before the pay date, which is always the last business day of the month. Payroll deadline is typically around the 15th of each month, so if you have any changes to make they should be submitted 2-3 days before this date. If you miss the payroll deadline your first month's pay will be added to the next payroll period. Please see Penn State Policy PR02 for more information: http://guru.psu.edu/policies/psu/PR02.html