Banking Information

One of the first things that you will need to do when you arrive in the area is to open a bank account. There are many banks in the Lowell area. Information about banking services can be obtained from bank staff at the branch offices. In addition to the banks listed at the end of this section, you can also go to the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce website and search for additional local banks.

To open a bank account, you will need:

  • Passport
  • UMass Lowell ID and invitation letter from hiring department
  • Foreign address
  • Local address
  • Your deposit (a sum of money required to open the account)

When you open your bank account, make sure to ask any questions you may have about purchasing and payment protocol in the US. Also, have them clarify all fees and rates they may charge for certain transactions. For example, most banks will charge a fee for use of non-bank Automated Teller Machines (ATM).

Note that some businesses prefer certain methods of payment over others and may restrict what they accept from their customers. Methods of acceptable payment in the US include:

  • Cash
  • Credit or debit card (e.g. Visa, Discover, Mastercard)
  • Check
  • Money Order or Bank Checks

Note: You do not need to have a Social Security Number to open a bank account. Until you obtain a Social Security Number, you simply need to complete Form W-8 at the bank. All banks have this form. Some bank tellers are not aware of it, so you may need to inform them. The International Students & Scholars Office will assist you with the Social Security Application process upon your arrival.

The following local bank listings and locations are suggestions only, and do not reflect an endorsement by our office. Visit their respective websites for more information.

Bank of America (There is a Bank of America ATM on every campus.)
Phone: 1-800-841-4000
Bank of America Website

Locations:

  • 501 Bridge Street, Lowell, MA 01850
  • 199 Plain Street, Lowell, MA 01852
  • 2 Summer Street, Chelmsford, MA 01824
  • 986 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876
  • 464 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821
  • 724 Chelmsford St., Lowell, MA 01851
  • 310 Daniel Webster Highway Nashua, NH 03060

CitiBank
Phone: 1-800-841-4000
CitiBank Website

ATM Locations:

  • 7-Eleven, Inc., 64 Mammoth Road, Lowell, MA 01854
  • 7-Eleven, Inc., 55 Chelmsford Street, Lowell, MA 01851
  • 7-Eleven, Inc., 7 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03063
  • 7-Eleven, Inc., 314 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821

Sage Bank
Sage Bank Website

Locations:

  • 18 Hurd Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Phone: 978-458-4598
  • 691 Rogers Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Phone: 978-458-6351

Santander
Santander Website

Locations:

  • 794 Rogers Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Phone: 978-452-3346
  • 489 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Phone: 978-458-2458
  • 1 Wood Street, Lowell, MA 01851, Phone: 978-446-3554
  • 170 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852 Phone: 978-656-4608
  • 1985 Lakeview Ave., Dracut, MA 01826 Phone: 978-957-8516


Credit cards are widely used in the US. You may receive offers from banks, stores or in the mail to apply for one. Although they are convenient, they do come with some costs, which include interest rates and fees attached for late payment. Make sure you carefully read all terms of agreement and verify all details before accepting any offers. You have the right to refuse any offer you do not want or are unsure about.

Be wary of potential scams involving the stealing of identity, bank information or credit card information. Please review the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Scams Website link for more details.

Mail / Post Offices

The U.S. Post Office most convenient to the campus is listed below (it is close to the UMass Lowell Athletics Facility/Tsongas Arena on East Campus) and reachable by campus shuttle:

  • Location: 155 Father Morissette Boulevard, Lowell 
  • Phone: 978-934-0997
  • Hours:
    • Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • US Postal Service Website

You can take care of many postal service transactions at above site, including changing your address on-line . Check the section of “All Products & Services” section of their website for a list of all on-line services.

Massachusetts Public Education for Students K-12

For International Students & Scholars with children, the state of Massachusetts does provide free public education. According to where you live your child will be placed in the appropriate school. Upon your arrival you should plan to visit the Family Resource Center in your town to discuss your child’s education.

Lowell Massachusetts Family Resource Center
Mr. John Descoteaux, Coordinator
Family Resource Center
Lowell Public Schools
Henry J. Mroz Central Administration Office
Edith Nourse Rogers School, 43 Highland Street, Lowell, MA  01852
Lowell Public Schools Website

Be sure to bring your child, their birth certificate, immunization record, and proof of address is Lowell, Mass. (utility bill, rent bill, etc.).

If there is no proof of address you must collect a letter from the City Hall with the homeowner or resident to prove that you reside at the address.

If you do not live in the town of Lowell you will need to contact the Family Resource Center in your own town which can be found at the Family Resource Center website.


The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Test – MCAS

All students from 3rd Grade and up are required to take the MCAS Test. More information can be found at the MCAS website.

Taking the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment – MEPA

Before your child enters Lowell Public Schools they will be assessed to determine whether or not they are exempt from the MEPA Test. More information can be found at the MEPA Test website.

TYPICAL REQUIRED REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS FOR (Pre-K – 8)

The following specifically refers to the City of Lowell, but other towns have similar process

Similar documentation is also needed for grades 8-12

  • Parent or Guardian Photo ID
  • Child’s Birth Certificate (issued by a city or town) OR passport or I-94 record
  • Updated Immunization Record (from doctor or clinic) – Massachusetts state law requires certain immunizations before child can attend school
  • Proof of town residence (i.e. current utility bill received in last 30 days in name of legal parent or guardian registering child).  If you are residing with another family who lives in Lowell, please obtain an “Affidavit of Residency By Third Party” from the School’s Enrollment Clerk
  • A Parent or Legal Guardian needs to accompany students who are under 18 years old.  If you are not the parent or legal guardian, please obtain the “Caregiver Authorization Affidavit” from the school’s Enrollment Clerk

English Language Learner students:

Any student transferring from a non-English speaking country should have his or her official transcripts translated prior to registration to avoid delay in the registration process.

 Any student registering from a non-English speaking country or any student transferring from an ESL (English as second language) program will be tested for placement.

Placement of students who have no student records or last report card will be determined by the Student Support Services Coordinator and/or guidance counselor until such time records are received by former school.