Finances

Credit cards are widely used in Ireland. 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 Ireland! 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 Dublin, including Bank of Ireland & Ulster Bank, both of which have agreements with certain American Banks (check with your bank rep). 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

Most cards outside the US have a chip on the front; contact your bank to see if it’s possible to get a card with a chip. MOST PLACES IN IRELAND PREFER THE CHIP (the payment method where you simply tap your card rather than insert or swipe)  There are numerous ATMs in Dublin, including Bank of Ireland & Ulster Bank, both of which have agreements with certain American Banks (check with your bank rep).

It is recommended that you carry the phone number of your local bank in case you lose your ATM card. 

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

• Board/meal plan will not be charged since there is no meal plan at Trinity College Dublin.

• 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 College of the Holy Cross Study Abroad Program operates on a Home School Tuition Model. Students on Holy Cross approved programs will remain continuously enrolled at Holy Cross while studying abroad. This allows students to receive Holy Cross credit for their courses abroad and for grades to be posted on their Holy Cross transcript. 

The College is committed to making study abroad accessible for all qualified students. To honor this commitment, the College offers need-based financial aid for students studying abroad and, accordingly, relies on tuition revenue to provide this need-based financial aid. Additionally, using the Home School Tuition Model allows for federal financial aid to be applied to a student’s bill. To help make studying abroad as cost-neutral as possible, the College provides additional services at no extra charge. These services may include cultural programming, on-site advisors and tutors. 

Finally, for enrolled Holy Cross students, the Office of Study Abroad provides a full range of student support services and programming - from initial inquiry through pre-departure support while abroad and when they return to campus.  In other words, tuition dollars also cover the operating costs of the Office of Study Abroad.

The determination of financial aid eligibility for studying abroad via a Holy Cross approved program is calculated just as it is for students who are living on campus. Financial aid is based on the standard cost of attendance. The College considers the standard cost of board when determining your financial aid award even if you are not directly billed for it on your student account.  If you and/or your family are financing your education with loans, you should consider the total cost of attendance when determining the amount of loans you are requesting.  The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and personal expenses. To review the specific costs, please go to:  https://www.holycross.edu/bursars-office/tuition-fees

If you are awarded scholarships from sources external to Holy Cross, for example, a study abroad partner University, you must report the scholarship to the Financial Aid Office.  Financial Aid will then determine how the scholarship is applied to your HC bill. Should you have specific questions regarding your financial aid award, please contact them at 508-793-2265 or via email at financialaid@holycross.edu 

Students should expect some additional expenses related to studying abroad. The following list may not be comprehensive and is subject to change. Additionally, students should not expect to have the same amenities abroad as they have at Holy Cross. Each program has different components unique to each location: 

•  REFUNDABLE DEPOSITS Cork Street Student Housing charges a housing deposit. Students are responsible for this fee. 

•  STUDENT VISA/RESIDENCY FEES The Irish Residency Permit costs around $300. Students are responsible for this fee.

•  AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION Students can expect to cover the cost of moving from the airport to UCD (Taxi, Uber, Bus available)

•  LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

•  MEALS 

•  BOOKS

•  PERSONAL EXPENSES (including bedding and kitchen supplies)

•  ENTERTAINMENT

•  LAUNDRY

•  PRINTING FEES

•  PACKING EXPENSES or storage fees for personal belongings 

•  COVID-19 TESTING

Here's a helpful guide to average prices in Dublin to help you budget!