Finances

Credit cards are widely used in the UK. 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 anyway!)

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 the UK! Check with your bank to make sure your card is activated for overseas use and that your PIN will work overseas.

In the British Isles, most people have credit cards where you can tap to pay. However, inserting your card (with a chip) into a card reader is possible. 

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

All students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. Tickets are an out-of-pocket expense.

When you book your flights, we strongly recommend you purchase your tickets directly from the airline rather than a third-party vendor (like Expedia or Travelocity). Why? 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. You should therefore purchase a flexible flight, researching many different airlines to see what they offer. 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 / from airports, in addition to expenses resulting from program suspension or termination, schedule changes, flight changes, emergency evacuation, or any other exigency. Such expenses are the sole responsibility of the student.

• All students will be charged Holy Cross home tuition and the standard room charge. (Financial aid covers these costs; in other words, aid "travels"). 
  
  

• Students will not be charged for a meal plan at their host institution unless they live in catered accommodations.

• All students will be billed a mandatory $225 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)

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.

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 are responsible for:

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

• Visas

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

• Public transit in and around London

• Meals if not on a meal plan 

• Books

• Personal expenses (including bedding)

• Laundry