Finances

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

Be sure to notify your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling so that 1) they do not freeze your account and 2) to ensure that your card and 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 Italy! MEMORIZE THE NUMBERS, NOT THE LETTERS, OF YOUR PIN!! Why? Most ATM machines have keypads with numbers, only. (In other words, you cannot rely on the ATM keypad you're using to display the fact that a "6" corresponds to M, N, and O, etc. 

 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 Siena. 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 a dedicated exchange business, they may have what appear to be low exchange rates, but they frequently also charge a large commission. ATMs are typically the way to go.

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 ITALY PREFER THE CHIP (the payment method where you simply tap your card rather than insert or swipe), but the chip version also requires a PIN. Make sure you have and know your PIN. Contact your credit card company with questions about this.

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

Students are responsible for making for their own flight arrangements and paying for them upfront. However, to offset that cost, students will receive a one-time travel credit. The amount of that credit is a good faith estimate based on the cost of an average round-trip flight from Boston to your host institution. It will appear as a credit on your Holy Cross tuition bill. To repeat: the travel credit is not a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement of the actual airline ticket you purchase. It reduces what you owe to Holy Cross by the amount of that credit. 

Important note: because it is a one-time credit, your flight credit does not cover travel home for any holiday, nor travel home for winter break if you are studying abroad for the academic year.

If you have still have a credit on your account AFTER you have paid your tuition and all your financial aid, loans, scholarships etc. have been disbursed, the Bursar's Office will be able to return excess funds upon completion of the "Refund Request Form." The Refund Request Form must be completed and signed by the student. 

When you make your flight arrangements, we strongly recommend purchasing tickets directly from the airline rather than a third-party vendor (like Expedia or Travelocity) because making changes or cancellations is generally easier to do directly with the airline. 

We also strongly advise students to purchase airline tickets that permit a change of date. Students therefore should purchase a flexible flight. Research many different airlines. Some will waive change fees, regardless of fare type. For other airlines it depends on the fare you purchase. Be sure to read all of the rules associated with any airline ticket before purchasing. As indicated in the Study Abroad Acknowledgement and Release Form, Holy Cross is not responsible for travel expenses, including but not limited to, airline tickets and transportation to and from airports, which result from program suspension or termination, schedule changes, flight changes, emergency evacuation, or any other exigency. Such expenses are the sole responsibility of the student.

It varies, depending on current prices for a round-trip ticket from Boston to Rome. 

Once you are accepted into the study abroad program, you can look out for an email from our office informing you of the flight credit. You can expect to receive an email about the credit amount by mid-April. 

• All students will be charged Holy Cross home tuition, the standard room charge, and half-board while studying abroad at Temple Rome.
  
  

• Financial aid travels. (See the subsection below for more details.) 

• All students will receive a travel credit. As detailed above, the credit is a good faith estimated based on the cost of a round-trip flight from Boston to your host institution. Once you are accepted Temple Rome, you will receive an email from Holy Cross with the amount of the travel credit.  

• All students will be billed a mandatory $200 per semester for GLOBAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE and international MEDICAL/TRAVEL INSURANCE provided by International SOS (ISOS) and Cigna Global health/Lloyd’s insurance. (Students are NOT charged the Health Service fee.)

• All students are allowed to submit activity/club receipts for reimbursement: $200 max. for academic year, $175 for semester only. The reimbursement is for cultural and group activities that get you involved with your host community. Eligible fees for reimbursement include:

• Fees for joining a club/society/sports team on campus

• Fees for participating in a local cultural event or organization (upon approval from the SA Office).

• Note: Gym fees are NOT eligible for reimbursement. Personal travel within and beyond Rome is NOT eligible for reimbursement. Gym fees and personal travel come from your own pocket.

• Non-refundable enrollment options

• Non-refundable application fees

To get reimbursed for your student activity, fill out the student ACH form found on your application portal for study abroad (sa.holycross.edu). Upload the ACH form and receipts and email them to Tammi Valeri at tvaleri@holycross.edu. 

The College of the Holy Cross Study Abroad Program operates on a home tuition policy. Students on Holy Cross approved study abroad programs will remain continuously enrolled at Holy Cross while studying abroad.  This allows for students to receive Holy Cross credits for their courses abroad and grades will be on their Holy Cross transcript. The College of the Holy Cross is committed to making study abroad an opportunity for all our students. In order to do this, the College must be able to provide need based financial aid for students when they study abroad. To accomplish that, the College relies on tuition revenue in order to give need-based aid. In addition, using the home tuition policy allows for federal financial aid to be applied to the student’s bill. The College also provides additional services such as cultural programming, onsite advisors, tutors, and travel allowance. Finally, as an enrolled Holy Cross student, the Study Abroad Office provides a full range of support services and programming from initial inquiry through pre-departure support while abroad and when they return to campus.

When you study abroad, your financial aid travels with you. Whether you receive 100% aid or 20% aid, you can expect to be awarded the same amount for the semester/year you are away from Holy Cross. This is because determination of financial aid eligibility for studying abroad via a College-approved program is calculated just as it is for students who are living on campus, and financial aid is based on the standard cost of attendance. 

If you and/or your family are financing your education with loans, you should consider the total cost of attendance at Holy Cross when determining the amount of loans you are requesting for the period of time you will study abroad. (Note: the total cost of attendance at Holy Cross includes not only tuition, fees, room & board (your meal plan), but also books, supplies and personal expenses. To review the specific costs, 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. They will then determine how that external scholarship is applied to your HC bill. 

Should you have specific questions regarding your financial aid award or how billing and disbursements work as you plan to study abroad, please contact the Holy Cross Financial Aid Office at 508-793-2265 or financialaid@holycross.edu 

The Study Abroad Billing FAQ page will also serve as a helpful resource as you plan. 

Students are responsible for:

• Refundable deposits (i.e., housing deposits if applicable)

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

• Meals not provided by a meal plan or homestay

• Books

• Personal expenses (including bedding and travel)

• Laundry (if applicable)

Temple Rome students should expect to cover the cost of the Italian visa, which is approximately $55-$60. This amount is subject to change from year to year. Keep in mind that the value of the Euro also fluctuates and will impact the dollar amount. 

All students are allowed to submit activity/club receipts for reimbursement: $200 max. for academic year, $175 for semester only. The reimbursement is for cultural and group activities that get you involved with your host community. As stated elsewhere, eligible fees for reimbursement include:

• Fees for joining a club/society/sports team on campus

• Fees for participating in a local cultural event or organization (upon approval from the SA Office).

• Note: Gym fees are NOT eligible for reimbursement. Personal travel within and beyond Rome is NOT eligible for reimbursement. Gym fees and personal travel therefore come from your own pocket.

To get reimbursed for your student activity, fill out the student ACH form found on the Study Abroad application portal, sa.holycross.edu. Upload the ACH form and receipts and email them to Tammi Valeri at tvaleri@holycross.edu.