To avoid expensive roaming fees, it is a good idea to purchase a U.S. based cell-phone plan upon arrival in the U.S. You have three choices for cell phone plans:

1. Using an unlocked cell phone from home and purchasing a new SIM card in the U.S.
2. Buying a new phone and setting up a pre-paid plan to pay as you go
3. Buying a new cell phone and setting up a contract plan to pay monthly

Option 1: Using an unlocked cell phone from home and purchasing a new SIM card
If you have an unlocked phone, campusSIMS is a great option for purchasing a new SIM card. The International Services Office has a supply of campusSIMS cards that you can pick up once you arrive and set up your plan via a downloaded app or online.

Option 2: Buying a new phone and setting up a pre-paid plan to pay as you go
A pre-paid plan is a more expensive option in terms of overall value but can be good if you are in the U.S. for a limited time or do not expect to use your phone much. You purchase the phone, which is usually rather expensive (at least $50-60 for the simplest models), then purchase minutes as you go. It does not require a contract.

Option 3: Buying a new cell phone and setting up a contract plan to pay monthly
Contract phones require that you buy a phone from a specific company. You must also sign an agreement for a one or two-year plan. This will mean that once every month you will receive a bill for the use of the service. Contract plans generally require either a Social Security number or a credit check, which most international students cannot provide. T-Mobile is one carrier that does not require a contract, nor deposits or a credit check to set up a contract, which makes it a great option for international students.

Local Cell Phone Providers:

There are several cell phone providers located near the University of New Haven campus. Shop around, compare rates and services, and consider the plans before you decide on a provider: 

• T-Mobile– 577 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT
• AT&T– 91 Boston Post Rd., Orange, CT
• Sprint– 125 Boston Post Rd., Orange, CT

• Verizon Wireless– 16 Boston Post Rd. Bull Hill Plaza Center, Orange, CT

Questions to consider when choosing a cell phone plan:

• Are pre-paid plans available and is this a good option for you?
• What are the rates for calls, text messages, data transfers, etc.?  Keep in mind cell phones in the U.S. charge for both incoming and outgoing calls and texts. There is usually an additional fee if you want to include wireless internet on your phone plan.
• Is a deposit required to sign a contract? Will it be returned in full at the end of your contract?
• If you have to terminate a contract early, will you be charged a penalty or lose your deposit?
• Are you able to use your own phone or required to purchase a new phone? If you plan to use your own phone, be sure to obtain the code needed to “unlock” your phone for use abroad.

Opening a bank account in the United States will be much easier to manage your finances and cheaper than withdrawing money from a foreign bank account. You can also pay your bills online and use credit cards without large international banking fees.

There are two types of bank accounts in the U.S.:

• Checking Account – Great for day-to-day expenses. A checking account lets you make numerous withdrawals and unlimited deposits. You can use your checking account for living expenses, daily transactions, and paying bills. Many banks will offer online and mobile banking, so you can manage your money 24 hours a day.
• Savings Account – Perfect if you want to save money. A savings account requires a minimum deposit and provides a modest interest rate of return. Savings accounts are generally for money you don’t intend to use for daily expenses. A savings account is also likely to have a limited number of free transfers/transactions.

How to choose a bank:

Every bank in the US offers different services to students. Make sure you read the account information carefully so you’re fully aware of what service fees they charge. Most students at the University of New Haven find it convenient to link their bank account electronically through their automatic teller machine (ATM) debit card. Usually banks will not charge extra fees when you are using your bank’s ATM. When you use an ATM in a store or at other banks, you may be charged an extra transaction fee. Online account management and bill pay is standard, so make sure you understand how to set up this important service.

Local bank options: 

• Bank of America– 420 Campbell Ave., West Haven
• TD Bank– 636 Campbell Ave., West Haven
• Wells Fargo– 597 Campbell Ave., West Haven

Documents you will need: 

• Your Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• I-94 Form (Obtained at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94)
• Your University of New Haven student ID card
• Full-time enrollment letter from the ISO requested from MyCharger.  Please allow 5 business days for the ISO to process your request.

Questions to considering when choosing a bank: 

• What’s the minimum balance required on the account?
• Are there extra fees if the balance goes below the minimum?
• What are the monthly service fees?
• Are there transaction limits?
• Does the bank offer online and mobile banking?
• Are there international transaction fees?

Important things to know when using your bank account:

• You may be asked for your Social Security Number (SSN). F-1 students are not eligible for a SSN unless they have been offered an on-campus job or are in a period of work authorization. A SSN is not required to open a bank account, but it is required for a U.S. credit card.
• If you wish to deposit money into your account, you can take cash to the bank, mail a check to the bank, use a mobile app or an authorized ATM. Never mail cash to your bank.
• Be sure to have adequate funds in your account when you write checks or use a debit card. Spending more money than you have available can be very expensive. There may be overdraft fees charged by both the bank and the vendor.
• You should watch your monthly online statement carefully to see that all transactions are parallel to your deposits and withdrawals.
• Never sign a personal check before you are ready to use it and never give someone a check with just your signature on it.
• It is very unsafe to carry large amounts of cash at any time or to keep large sums of money in your apartment.

West Haven and the surrounding region of greater New Haven has many attractions to explore in your free time. Review the following links for lists of local attractions:

• CT Visit- http://www.ctvisit.com/new_haven
• Visit New Haven- https://www.visitnewhaven.com/ 
• City of West Haven- https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/ 
• Info New Haven- https://www.infonewhaven.com/ 

West Haven is in the great state of Connecticut which has many places to explore throughout your time at University of New Haven. We hope you make the most of your time outside of the classroom.

Local Accommodations and Hotels:

• Local Hotels (pdf)
• Hotels.com

Local Spiritual Resource Guide:

• Local Places of Worship