Eligible students receive financial assistance from IBM to help with travel and/or relocation expenses.
To be eligible for travel relocation:
- The student's school and permanent home address must be over 50 miles from their IBM work location.
- For international students currently residing in the U.S., their permanent address is considered to be their school address.
| Less than 50 miles | none |
| Between 50-599 miles | $625 |
| Between 600-2,599 miles | $1,250 |
| 2,600 miles or more | $1,875 |
Note: The three tiers are based on historical averages using one-way driving distances from the school / permanent address and the university.
Since relocating can be both time consuming and costly, interns will now receive their relocation allowance shortly after they’ve accepted their offer. The relocation allowance is distributed in the form of an American Express Project Card which contains the pre-determined amount of eligible relocation funds and is distributed directly from American Express. The Card can be used at transportation vendors that accept the American Express Credit Card. This will allow interns to make their own arrangements for travel, lodging, transportation, etc. that relate to their relocation. In addition, interns will have direct access to American Express Travel Counselors to help with their air travel needs. Also the American Express card will contain $600 to apply toward any local ground transportation expenses interns may have during their time at IBM (see Travel & Transportation page).
If time constraints make it impossible for an intern to receive an American Express Project Card, then their relocation allowance will be distributed via an Employment Pathways for Interns and Co-ops (EPIC) lump sum payment, which is considered additional income, and will be taxed accordingly.
High Cost Adder Relocation eligibility:
Additionally, areas surrounding the Almaden Research Center (CA), Yorktown (NY), Hawthorne (NY) and Cambridge (MA) are designated high cost areas by IBM, and students assigned to these locations will receive a payment of $1,250 to help with the cost of relocation and living expenses in these areas. IBM provides each eligible student with a lump sum payment within one month from their date of hire. This lump sum is considered taxable income. Expenditures do not need to be reported to IBM, and unused funds do not need to be returned.
Tax information
The IRS treats the lump sum high cost area payment as taxable income. Taxes will be reported as wages through the IRS W-2 Form, which is issued at year-end. Payroll Services will mail forms to the employee's permanent home address on file.