<p>Are there any banks or ATMs on campus at Carnegie Mellon? If yes, what are they?</p>
<p>There is a general ATM that services most east coast banks, and a PNC bank next to it, in the UC. </p>
<p>There is also a PNC right down the street from CMU. :)</p>
<p>Are there 7-11s nearby the campus?</p>
<p>There is one down the street from Craig, closer to Pitt campus. It’s about a 12 minute walk from the school down Forbes Avenue. Their slushies are godly.</p>
<p>I would open a Virtual Wallet account with PNC or just a regular PNC Bank account. If you’re not used to managing a bank account a virtual wallet account is a great way to learn how to save and manage money.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info on the banks.</p>
<p>I have a bank of america card. Could i use it at the atm you guys are talking about? I realize there are fees for using a non-bank of america atm.</p>
<p>No, the nearest Bank of America ATM is really far away. That’s why most people use Citizen’s or PNC.</p>
<p>Yes, you can use your non-PNC card at this ATM but there are fees.</p>
<p>Keep in Mind, you get fees from your own bank and the bank who owns an ATM anytime you use an ATM that is not that of the bank for which you have an acct.</p>
<p>That’s pricey all around.</p>
<p>We discovered that PAYPAL is a FREE way to send money to our D’s PNC acct. Check the “living expense” box, and there’s no fee to send the money. With PNC, she gets one free wireless transfer per month.
PNC however has been excessive with fees for strange things…if we could avoid it we would NOT have signed S up with PNC…but theres’ no other choice for getting cash at an ATM free.</p>
<p>ONe way to get money out without paying fees is to get cashback at a 7-11 or grocery store when you make a purchase. As I remember, however, the Giant is a long way past the PItt campus or you have to go into Squirrel hill. </p>
<p>I am torn about the complication of our S opening another bank account with PNC. He asked my advice and I am just not sure.</p>
<p>I had a PNC account for years as a Pitt student. It was fine in Pittsburgh, but terrible for out of PA…few ATMs, high fees, etc. I am wondering whether he should just keep life simple wiht his current account and debit card and see how it goes. If he finds he is spending too much on fees well then he can get the PNC account later. ONe advantage of having the problem with the fees is that it makes you think hard about how desperate you are for cash and to try to minimize going to the ATM…the PNC account may lead to a quicker outflow of funds. Any more advice from current students or parents?</p>