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Banking in the U.S.
International students and scholars may open a bank account in the U.S. to make managing their money and paying for essentials in the U.S. easier.
Most new students only require a simple checking and/or savings account when opening a bank account, which is offered just about anywhere. If you are interested in additional banking services, you may want to do additional research on choosing a bank. NerdWallet's article, How to Choose a Bank is a good place to start. A few basic considerations when choosing where to open a bank account are:
- Proximity to campus or where you live
- Availability of ATMs
- Institution size—national banks have branches all over the country, while regional or local banks only have locations in a limited area of the country
- Customer service and/or online banking features
- Fees for foreign transactions or international wires
Money Management
If coming to William & Mary will be the first time you are living on their own and managing your own expenses, review the resources below. Understanding the cost of living in the U.S., learning how to budget, and making sound financial decisions is an essential part of personal independence and academic success.