If you are going to start college, you are going to need a bank account to receive your parents’ money, financial aid and much more. Here are a few tips to help you open a bank account:

1) Find a bank near your school or pad. No need in opening a student bank account in a distant bank branch.

2) At the bank, ask to open a student bank account. If they say that they don’t offer a student bank account, walk out. There are plenty of other banks that do.

3) You should get a student bank account that gives you all the bank services for FREE. It is very important that you get everything FREE. FREE checking account, FREE ATM card, FREE online account, FREE online bill payment, no minimums.

4) You should get a student ATM card that you can also use like a credit card.

5) With an ATM card, you can deposit money into your student bank account and withdraw money using ATM machines or going to the cashier (I prefer ATM machines, they are quicker).

6) Now that you are all ready to go, here are a few links to help you find the right bank for you:

Bank of America (as a student this is good, they have discounts for students)

Washington Mutual (this one is good for students too, they have students discounts as well)

Wells Fargo

Happy Hunting!

What is the Small claims court?

Small claims court is a special court where disputes are resovled informally. There are no lawyers; just you, the defendant and the judge. As an individual, you may not sue for more than $7,500 in Small Claims Court. If you want to sue for more, you have to go to the superior court.

How do I sue someone in Small claims Court?

1) Go to the courthouse of the geographic area of where the defendant lives or where the incident about which you are suing occurred. Locate the small claims filing window where you can get the forms and information necessary to file. The clerk may be able to assist you if you have questions.

2) The defendant must know about your lawsuit. This has to be done according to the rules or your case may be dismissed or delayed. The defendant needs to get a copy of the claim. You cannot give it to them yourself. Ask the court clerk what options are available for you.

3) Once at the small claims trial, you should be prepared to plead your case to the judge clearly and briefly. Try to have the facts written down with dates and times. You also should bring with you to the small claims trial all the documents supporting your case (the original and 2 copies if possible), as well as the witnesses (if any) for your side. The judge can make the decision while you are in the small claims court or s/he may “take it under advisement” and inform you of the small claims decision by mail.

If the defendant loses, s/he may appeal the small claims decision. The plaintiff, however, may not appeal if s/he loses. The judgment form will advise you of some of the special rules regarding small claims court appeal.

If you have a judgment in your favor, you may use small claims court procedures to collect the judgment. Ask the small claims court clerk about what you can do to get your money.

Note: When you are in small claims court, only address the judge and only talk when you are asked a question. Do NOT get into a shouting match with the defendant; it would not help your case.

If you want to find out more information about small claims court, you can use the search box provided below.

Opening a bank account? They’ll ask your Social Security.

Getting a Driver’s License? They’ll ask your Social Security.

Getting a cell phone plan? They’ll ask your Social Security.

Applying for a job? They’ll DEFINETELY ask your Social Security.

So what is a Social Security number and how do you get one?

A Social Security number is intended to accurately record your earnings in the United States. But in reality, it has multiple uses such as determining your credit worthiness to a loan provider, getting great car loan rates and of course, getting a job.

To obtain a social security number, you need to apply for a social security card at the Social Security Administration office.

To obtain the card, you will need a letter from your employer on an official letterhead that indicates:

(1) your job title
(2) a brief description of your job
(3) your start date
(4) your salary or wage

Bring that letter with you to your school’s International Student office so that they may provide you with further information about Social Security. You will then need to report to the main Social Security Administration office to complete the process. Locate the Social Security office that serves your area.

Here is also another link to the Social Security Administration’s official Web Site where you will find additional information on social security eligibility.

Note: You can only get a social security card for work purposes. The social security administration will not give out social security cards for any other reason.

Advice

Since you need to have a job offer in order to get a social security number, the best thing for you is to start hunting for one now. Don’t worry about what kind of job you get! Even a job that only takes two hours a week will qualify you for a social security number.

So what are the benefits of getting a social security number? It will allow you to start building your credit worthiness; good credit means that you will have access to great loan offers, for example when you apply for a credit card or a car loan.