Contact your bank and credit card companies about your semester abroad. Give them the exact dates and countries you plan to visit. If they do not know that you are traveling internationally, they may freeze your card for fear of fraudulent charges.

• ATMs are widely accessible but cash withdrawal fees vary.

• Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted but other cards maybe not as much (Such as American Express and Discover cards).

• Be aware of international transaction fees. These can add up quickly. Contact your bank to learn more about the fees.

• Plan to use cash more in Rome than you do here in the States. 

• It is a good idea to keep cash on you at all times for purchases, taxi's and other services. 

• When you go out and about for the day or evening only bring what you need: enough cash and either your debit or credit card. 

• Do not carry large amounts of cash with you.

• Make sure you know the correct PIN #’s for your credit and debit cards. Signing for a transaction is uncommon in most parts of the world. 

• Routinely watch the exchange rate of U.S. dollar (USD) to the Euro.

• We recommend not using exchange Kiosks. They charge high conversion fees and commission. 

• Make a copy of the front and back of your credit and debit cards in case they are lost or stolen.

• Have a backup credit/debit card that you keep in your room for emergencies. It is important to have a credit card as well as a debit card, for emergency purposes. If your debit card is lost or stolen, you need to have access to money while your debit card is being replaced and sent to you.

• Plan to bring about $200 in local currency cash with you so you do not have to worry about money for the first few days. You may need to order the currency in advance from a bank so plan accordingly.

• Plan to use cash for small everyday purchases such as coffee, water and snacks.

You will find that there are many things you will want to do and see while in Italy so its important to create a budget for yourself to ensure that you will be able to do everything that you want. 

Research the cost of daily living expenses in Rome. How much does it cost to get a pizza? What about a glass of wine? Or a Taxi ride? 

Be aware of exchange rates when budgeting. These rates fluctuate on a daily basis.

Students who have returned from their semester in Rome have suggested that students plan $4,000-5,000 for average spenders for a semester. This does not include rail passes or plane tickets. If you plan to travel often, or spend a great deal, then the amount may be more like $5,500 -$7,000. 

• The totals above include consideration for about $800-1000 for a week-long vacation (in addition to air or train fare). 

• Plan on approx. $300-500 per weekend of travel outside of Rome, not including travel expenses. London and Paris can be double this amount, whereas Prague and Budapest are cheaper. Hostels are cheaper than hotel rooms.

• You will need an extra $350 cash for books (or slightly more)

If you make a list of all the things you want to see and do while abroad, you can research average costs and base a budget on that. Be realistic about how much you plan to eat out, shop and travel as these are the expenses that add up quickly.

Things you may need to budget for:

• • Food: The Rome program has a meal plan that covers 16 meals a week. You need to account for five meals on the weekends. There are not Kitchen facilities, so you should plan to eat out for your additional meals. 

  • Public transportation: You are provided with a monthly transport pass, this works on the metro and buses around Rome. Please account on transportation to the airport when you arrive, depart, and travel on the weekends. 

  • Personal travel: Study abroad comes with the wonderful opportunity to travel and see the world, but this can come with a hefty price tag. Prioritize your travels and research ways to stay on budget. There are great budget airlines and hostels for students. Also, museums and attractions sometimes have student discounts. Take advantage! 

  • Entertainment/going out: We all like to have a good time and know that enjoying the local culture is a wonderful part of studying abroad. Just keep in mind that if you are out every night, your bank account will shrink very quickly. Also, you may want to find more local restaurants and bars. That is where you will meet local people and the prices won't be jacked up for the tourists.

Sample of Rome Expenses to take into account when budgeting for your semester: 

• Drinks (water, wine, beer, etc): between 800 and 1200 euros for the semester.

• Restaurant meal: 15-30 euro.

• Public transportation: tickets for buses, trams, and subway.

• Laundry: 3 euro per load

• Small electrical appliances (e.g. hair dryer, kettle) between 20-100 Euros total.

• Textbooks/school supplies: 350 euros.

• Newspapers/magazines: between 2 and 5 euros.

• Movies up to 15 euros per visit.

• Theater ticket 40 euros or up.

• Concert ticket 40 euros or up.

• Club cover charge if they charge, they charge 30 euros. Most of the clubs in Rome don’t charge.

• Taxi home at night up to 15 euros cash. www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/rome

Tip: a very useful app to get a taxi in Rome is FREENOW.

• Toiletries at pharmacy 10-15 euros.

• Weekend travel: 300-600 euros depending on whether it’s in Italy or outside (per weekend) and for the week break, approx. 1000 euros.

• Average fare from Rome to other cities in Europe: 100 euros.

• 35 euros is a minimum for one night in a hotel in Italy. Keep also in mind that many cities have tourist city taxes when staying overnight.

• Museums: usually less than 10 euros, occasionally it can go up to 20 euros (Galleria degli Uffizi, Rajks Museum in Amsterdam etc.)

Helpful Tip: To get an idea of the cost of living in Rome, please visit the website:  www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/rome

Trinity Students: 

• If you receive Financial Aid please contact them directly with questions on your aid package and studying away. 

• You will need to complete the Financial Aid Study Away Agreement Form before you depart.

• Financial Aid Website

Visiting Students:

• There is no Trinity sponsored financial aid available for visiting students but you should consult with your home campus financial aid office for information relevant to your situation.

• If you expect financial aid from your home institution to be sent to Trinity to pay some or all of your bill, notify the Student Financial Aid Office, Trinity College, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT 06106 in writing that this will be the case (please send this along with the financial responsibility agreement form). Include a copy of your financial aid award letter from your home school for the semester. If you or your parents wish to use a payment plan, you must contact the Student Financial Aid Office at Trinity at (860) 297-2046 to make appropriate arrangements with that Office.

Notice of Voluntary Withdrawal 

Notice of voluntary withdrawal from a Trinity College study away program must be made by the traveler, in writing, and sent electronically, to the respective study away advisor in the Trinity College Office of Study Away (OSA). The date of withdrawal will be determined by the date on which the OSA receives notice. 

Refunds 

• Refunds can only be made to the person whose name appears on the student account; payments cannot be transferred to another account. 

• In order to qualify for refunds in accordance with Trinity College’s standard cancellation policy, the students account must be up to date. 

• Students who withdraw from their study away program (voluntarily or per college requirement) after confirming their participation on the program will forfeit the $500 deposit (visiting students) and any other expenses incurred by the program on their behalf.  This amount will be charged to the student’s account. 

• Students who are required by Trinity College to withdraw from the program for disciplinary reasons after the start date will not receive any refund. 

• Room, meal and excursion charges may be partially refundable depending on the program and when official withdrawal occurs. 

• International insurance is refundable for remaining days left of the program after official withdrawal occurs. 

Refund Schedule 

If official withdrawal occurs after classes begin, the following schedule reflects the amount of tuition and fees that will be refunded: 

First and Second Week 80% 

Third Week 60% 

Fourth Week 40% 

Fifth Week 20% 

After Fifth Week 0% 

Wherever possible, the Trinity College Study Away Withdrawal and Refund Policy reflects the college’s refund policy on campus (https://www.trincoll.edu/student-accounts/policies/tuition-refund-policy/ ). 

The Office of Student Accounts can be reached at 860-297-2027. They can answer any questions about billing.

View the current Rome Campus Fees.

Trinity Students:

Trinity students will be billed by Trinity on the same schedule and in the same manner.

Visiting Students:

• Visiting students must complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement form (downloadable in the post-acceptance section of your online application), which should be sent directly to the Office of Student Accounts at Trinity College, 300 Summit St., Hartford, CT 06106. Please do not send the form to the Office of Study Away.

• Please check your home school regarding billing agreements. Some schools now pay the deposit and/or tuition directly. Please be aware that Trinity cannot bill schools and families separately. For example, if your school pays only the tuition portion ($10), and and you are responsible for Room & Board ($5), both will receive a bill for the full amount ($15), and must submit only the amount you owe.

• Date of Billing: Students will be billed the entire program fee, less the nonrefundable $500 deposit if applicable (unless the deposit has been waived for financial aid reasons) in July (for fall semester) and November (for Spring semester). Bills will be due in August for fall term and December or early January for spring term. All payments must be received and cleared before you arrive at the start of the program.

• Visiting Students will be billed by the Trinity College Student Accounts Office a one-time $25.00 transcript fee that will entitle students to unlimited transcript production services.