Los Angeles is a lively and vibrant city, with a lot to offer in terms of opportunity, ambition and lifestyle. However, the standard of living is relatively high, which can be quite tough on a student’s budget.
Most often, the estimates that are cited on the I-20 on #8 or DS-2019 on #5 are sufficient to cover expenses. But students often hope that they will be able to survive on less, in the hopes of obtaining an on-campus job or a graduate assistantship. Most on-campus jobs pay an hourly salary that may be sufficient to cover only some of the living expenses, but they are not a guaranteed source of income.
Financial aid and scholarships for international students are extremely limited and it is important to understand that personal/family funds will be the main resource for most students. A graduate assistantship will cover some of a graduate student’s tuition and living expenses, and even that varies from department to department. Moreover, even if students have received an assistantship or scholarship, they are not likely to be paid until the end of the first month, and the first month is when they’re likely to incur most of the expenses.
Setting up a Bank Account
Below are banking options on or near campus. The two banks most frequently used by USC students are the USC Credit Union and Bank of America. Both banks have branch locations near USC, Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) on campus, and have extensive experience working with international students.
No matter which bank students choose, it is important to research each banking institution to see which one best fits their financial needs.
USC Credit Union
King Hall, 2nd Floor OR
3720 S. Flower St., 1st Floor
www.usccreditunion.org
Caters to USC students, families, and alumni
Bank of America
985 W. Jefferson Blvd. (University Village)
www.bankofamerica.com
One of the largest U.S. banking companies
CHASE Bank
725 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
www.chase.com
Wells Fargo
141 W. Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007
www.wellsfargo.com