Finances

Credit cards are widely used in South Africa. The best known are Visa, MasterCard, and to a lesser extent, American Express. Be prepared to show identification in order to use the card (this rarely happens but you should always have your ID with you anyways!)

Be sure to notify your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling so they do not freeze your account and to ensure that your PIN will work while you are abroad.  

Have a 4-digit pin number for ATMs. While 6-digit pins are increasingly common in the US, you'll need a 4-digit pin in South Africa! Check with your bank to make sure your card is activated for overseas use and that your PIN will work overseas.

 ATM/debit cards can be used to obtain cash if they have a major credit card logo (Visa, MasterCard) on them.  There are numerous ATMs in South Africa, including Standard Bank and FirstRand. The exchange rate for ATM withdrawals is usually the best available since it is the bank’s own bulk rate plus a 1-2 percent charge. Keep in mind that when you change cash abroad at an exchange business, they may have what appear to be low exchange rates, but they frequently also charge a commission

It is recommended that you carry the phone number of your local bank in case you misplace your ATM card. It's highly recommended that you chat with your local bank before traveling!

• All students will be charged Holy Cross tuition and the Holy Cross standard room charge. 

• Board/meal plan will not be charged given that there is no meal plan at University of Cape Town

• All students will be billed a mandatory fee of approx. $235 per semester for Global Security Assistance and international Medical/Travel Insurance provided by International SOS (ISOS) and Cigna Global Health/Lloyd’s Insurance (students will NOT be charged the Health Service fee). This fee is considerably less than the cost of the policy and is subsidized by Holy Cross. 

• If a student is on campus at Holy Cross for one semester, they will be charged the Student Activity Fee. If a student is abroad for the academic year, they will not be charged this fee.​

The reason the student is billed directly by Holy Cross for the College’s tuition and housing is because they remain enrolled at Holy Cross, ensuring academic continuity and retaining access to important on-campus resources including College advising, academic oversight, transcript and degree-planning processes, Class Dean and Chaplaincy support, health and safety support, emergency assistance, and other services associated with an approved study abroad experience. This is the primary benefit of the Home School Tuition (HST) model.

HST also helps ensure that approved coursework taken abroad contributes appropriately to the student’s Holy Cross degree, and that participation does not unnecessarily disrupt progress toward the College’s eight-semester residential requirement or timely graduation.

The Home School Tuition policy permits eligible federal and institutional financial aid to be applied to a student’s Holy Cross account (subject to the requirements and limitations of the applicable aid programs). Therefore, financial aid “travels” and can be applied towards the student’s Holy Cross term bill during the Fall/Spring terms that a student studies abroad.

Students are responsible for:

• Refundable deposits (ie housing deposits)

• Flights

• Any fees related to obtaining a visa

• Transportation to and from the airport on both ends of their trip 

• Meals (you will NOT be charged the HC meal plan)

• Books

• Personal expenses (including bedding, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc)

• Personal travel

• Laundry 

*subject to change 

Here's a helpful guide to average prices in Cape Town