Student Bank Accounts in the US

frannybambino

Hi all,

Does anyone know where I can find out about student bank accounts in the US? I'm going to be doing a PhD in Chicago in September but have no idea about US banks.

Also, does anyone know of any american sites similar to Moneysavingexpert.com?

Thanks

cuzzy

I actually studied just outside chicago for a few years, and basically as a foreigner you get no help. You can get a simple bank account and that is it. No overdraft or nothing. You cant get loans either from them.

Hope that helped

Ytaya

I did a summer internship in Massachusetts last year, I was out there for 3 months. I went with Bank of America and it was really easy to get an account. Take 3 months of UK bank statements with you in case they want to see them, but BoA didn't ask for mine. You won't get an overdraft facility or any of the other niceties we're used to as English students.

Talk to the university you're going to, either your future PhD supervisor or the Admissions office. You will not be the first foreign student they've had, and they'll be able to help! Ask them which mobile phone providers have decent coverage in your area, too. They vary much more widely than in the UK.

docij

Try Citibank. They've been great to my DD who studies in the US. Standard account but much better than paying ATM charges from UK banks (except Nationwide of course).

Also we have opend a Citibank dollar account here so that if she gets into difficulties, we can transfer money within minutes.

frannybambino

Thanks for the advice all. shame about them not offering overdrafts but I'll look into the banks you've suggested.