Pre-Entrance Health Requirements and Health Insurance

Incoming postdoctoral fellows in the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering must provide proof of immunity to certain communicable diseases and must complete required pre-entrance health forms prior to their arrival on the campus. Additionally, postdoctoral fellows are required to enroll in the SHP health insurance program upon arrival. Domestic postdoctoral fellows may waive this coverage with documented proof of an alternative plan. Contact your program administrator for the enrollment forms and process.

Housing

Incoming postdoctoral fellows in the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering who need housing accommodations while looking for a place to live can contact the Off-Campus Housing Office to obtain information about living in Baltimore. Extensive housing information, rental listings are posted on the Community Living website.

Other resources:

• BaltimoreCollegetown Network
• Baltimore Craig’s List
• Apartments.com (Baltimore)
• Baltimore Neighborhoods
• JHU Shuttle Route

Obtaining the Official University Identification Card (JCard) and Email

Each postdoctoral fellow is assigned a unique Johns Hopkins Enterprise Directory Login ID (JHED LID), shortly after arriving at Johns Hopkins University. The JHED LID allows each person to set up a JHU email account and gain access to various campus services. The last four digits of a postdoctoral fellows’s social security number are required in order to set up email. Postdoctoral fellows may be eligible for software discounts through SPARS and access to mobile computing. Website: my.jhu.edu (click on “First Time Logon”)

The J-Card is the official identification and access card for students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows and staff at Johns Hopkins University. J-Cash – a prepaid, stored-value account that is part of the J-Card – is a convenient, cashless way to pay for purchases on and off campus. The area’s most popular local businesses accept J-Cash, the card can also be used to pay for office supplies, at restaurants, for delivery, and more. The HW-PDA may ask for payment for social activities by J-Cash. Postdoctoral fellows can deposit money into their J-Cash accounts in a number of easy ways:  using the deposit stations on campus, phoning the J-Card office, or by mail.  J-Cash balances roll over each term/year and the account and card remains active as long as postdoctoral fellow’s status is current at the University.  Website: web.jhu.edu/idcs/

Upon Arrival to the Campus

• JHU Parking and Transportation (parking and free JHU shuttle information)
• Escort Van Service
• Campus Safety and Security
• BaltimoreCollegetown Network (free shuttle)
• Baltimore City Buses
• Office of International Services (OIS)

Transportation and Car Sharing

Finding affordable and convenient on-demand transportation upon arrival can be a challenge. Four Zipcars are be available to students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, staff and neighbors from the Greater Homewood community. Zipcar members pay one simple hourly (or daily) rate that includes gas, insurance, maintenance, a reserved parking space, and 180 free miles per trip. Please visit the JHU Zipcar site for further information and rates.

Tax Information

Postdoctoral fellows are subject to specific tax filing guidelines by the Internal Revenue Service. As a guide through this process the IRS provides Publication 970, which spells out all tax obligations for students. To obtain further information, please contact the Johns Hopkins University Tax Office at tax@jhu.edu.

Visit the OIS website for a Tax Information Sheet for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens, and Tax Information Sheet for Nonresident Aliens.

Other Contacts

• Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment
• Financial Aid Office
• Student Employment Services
• Libraries
• Counseling Center
• Life Design Lab
• Campus Ministries
• Office of Institutional Equity
• O’Connor Recreation Center

Postdoctoral Fellows with Disabilities

Postdoctoral fellows with a disability who may need accommodations at Johns Hopkins University are urged to contact the Office of Institutional Equity.

International Bridge Program

Living and working in a foreign country can be both challenging and exciting. International scholars often experience a period of cultural adjustment when they first arrive to the United States and specifically Johns Hopkins University.

The International Graduate Student Bridge Program is offered by OIS in collaboration with the ASEN Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs team to better support this transition process for new international scholars by offering monthly seminars and panels on a variety of practical topics, such as career and communication tips, taxes and the credit system in the United States, overcoming homesickness and culture shock, and learning the basics of SSNs and Driver’s Licenses.