FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Pre-planning will insure you have adequate funds upon your arrival to Missouri State

You will need to have funds available for food and personal items during your travel to the United States. This amount varies for each student and is dependent upon several factors such as: length of trip and type of food available during trip (restaurants at airports, food served during flight, snacks brought from home, etc). Soon after your arrival on campus, you will need funds for payment of your residence hall charges or off-campus housing and course fees. You will also want some money for personal items. If you arrive during orientation week or earlier, you will need money for food, as this time period is not covered under your residence hall meal plan. If you arrive before the week of Orientation, you will also need to pay for temporary housing either on- or off-campus. Please remember that on-campus temporary housing is available for new students immediately prior to the fall (August) semester and summer (June) session. It is NOT available for students arriving for the spring (January) semester.

Please keep the following in mind when making financial arrangements during your trip to MSU:

1. Travel expenses – You should have approximately $500 available for immediate access. Traveler’s checks or credit cards are best. If you bring cash, do not bring more than $100-$200. Traveler’s checks and credit cards can be replaced. Of course, cash cannot. Cash should be in U.S. dollars; there are very few opportunities in Springfield to exchange international currency to U.S. dollars. 2. Major expenses on arrival (residence hall charges, course fees, books, insurance, etc.)- A. Credit cards accepted by the University are MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. B. International traveler’s checks in U.S. dollars are acceptable. C. Wiring from your bank to the University’s bank (at least two weeks in advance of departure). Note: see other side of this sheet for more information about wiring funds to Missouri State. D. Mailing a bank draft or cashier’s check (at least 60 days in advance of departure) made payable to: Missouri State University International Services 901 South National Springfield, Missouri 65897 Be sure to include student’s name and M number on bank draft or cashier’s check. 3. Personal expenses/other needs on arrival A. If you wire money ahead, you may have a refund of any cash remaining after payment of University fees. Money will only be available after you have spoken with the Financial Services Office regarding how you would like the funds to be disbursed. One day’s notice is required. B. If you mail a bank draft or check at least 60 days in advance, it should have cleared the banking system in time to give you a refund of any remaining cash with one day’s notice. C. Credit cards are a convenient way to handle these expenses. D. Traveler’s checks are also acceptable. NOTE: If you bring a draft or check with you, you will need to expect to wait 30 to 60 days for the funds to be available to you. This is the time it will take for the check to be cleared through the banking system. A refund of any remaining cash can be made to you only after your check or draft has cleared. (One day’s notice is required.) You must plan to pay for needed expenses (books, approximately $450; insurance approximately $500; and all personal items) for a minimum of 30 to 60 days if you bring a draft or check with you. WIRE TRANSFER INFORMATION

It is usually possible for you to wire funds from your bank to Missouri State’s bank. It can prevent possible loss of any funds you may carry with you. If wired in advance, your money will be in Missouri State’s bank account under your name waiting to pay for your class fees, medical insurance, campus housing and/or food plan as soon as you register for courses. The remaining amount will be available with at least 24 hours’ notice for you to use in meeting other expenses. Funds wired will be used to pay for university expenses first. You will not be able to collect the remaining funds until after you enroll or register for Missouri State courses.

If you choose to send or bring a personal bank check instead, the time you wait for your remaining funds will be as long as it takes the check to clear through the inter-country banking system. This could be up to 30 days or longer.

Special wire transfer instructions are below. NOTE: You must let us know by telephone, fax, or letter the exact day you will be wiring money to Missouri State and the exact amount being sent. The bank will need this information to process the funds for the University.

If wire transfer is not available through your bank, you will need to bring a cashier’s check or money order for at least $5,000. (The average cost for one semester’s fees, books, insurance and housing is $8096.) The deadline for paying all fees for each semester is one month prior to the end of the semester. Failure to meet this deadline will prevent registration for the next semester’s classes. It is important to plan ahead to insure that funds for further semesters arrive by the payment deadline. If you cannot register for a future semester due to a balance owed on your University financial account, you will be out of legal visa status with U.S. Immigration authorities. Advanced planning is very important to maintaining your status.

************************************************************************** PROCEDURES FOR WIRE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

The procedure for the wire transfer of funds varies greatly from country to country. Please contact your local bank regarding the information they will need to process a wire transfer.

PROCEDURES—WIRE SHOULD SAY:

TO: BancorpSouth ABA #084201278

FOR: Missouri State University Account #1119300679 Further reference include: Student name, M number, and level (English Language Institute, Undergraduate or Graduate student)

The branch name and address is: BancorpSouth 2910 West Jackson Street Tupelo, MS 38802

Call, Fax or E-mail Missouri State International Services the day before you wire and give the following information: 1) Amount wired, 2) Date wired, 3) Student’s name, 4) Student’s Missouri State University identification number, and 5) Level (English language Institute, Undergraduate or Graduate student).

Please note: Your funds will be processed by several different banks during the transfer to Missouri State. The banks may deduct a processing fee from your funds for the service provided.