Dealing with $$$$ at USC

<p>Any current USC students with suggestions for dealing with money, particularly for out=of-state students? For example, pros & cons of debit card vs. checking account? Out-of-state account vs. on campus account (what banks/savings institutions are on campus)? USC discretionary account vs. credit card? Any other great tips on handling money for incoming freshmen?</p>

<p>I recommend getting an account with Bank of America. They have ATM's near commons as well as a branch across the street from campus. And as you know, there's BofA's pretty much everywhere.</p>

<p>The BofA account takes care of my checking account and debit card, since the account comes with both. I have it linked directly to my BofA savings account, so anything that I write a check for or pay with my debit card comes from my account.</p>

<p>I do have a student credit card, but I hardly use it. It's mainly for emergencies or purchases that my parents pay for because the bill goes to my home and they pay it.</p>

<p>You probably won't need a credit card, but a debit card and checking account is a must. USC has its own credit union, but I have no experience with them. I also encourage you to add a balance to your USC discretionary account because it makes purchases really easy.</p>

<p>Thanks for your thoughts. Actually, from what I've read on the Trojans taking Qs thread, it sounds like the USC Credit Union might work out better for us. Our HI credit union cooperates with them & there are no longer any BofA branches in HI.</p>

<p>It does sound like the USCard with discreesh has a lot to recommend it, with some possible tax benefits, shorter lines, & being able to cancel it if it's lost (but you can generally do that with any card). It would also have your photo, so hopefully that would minimize fraud & theft anyway.</p>

<p>Anyone with experience with USC Credit Union? What kind of accounts did you set up? How conveniently located are their ATMs at USC? Their branches?</p>

<p>^ The credit union currently has one branch located on the 2nd floor of King Hall, which is the short bldg wedged between Flour and Webb Towers. They have ATMs located on the 1st floor of King and at Commons (both outside and inside). All ATMs are accessible 24/7, while the branch is only open M-F from 9am(?)-5pm. As for accounts, the one I have is one they don't advertise; it's just a simple free checking account with savings account. They will send a packet of info over the summer which includes a form to open an account. You can just fill out the form, return it, and at orientation, you can pick up your membership packet.</p>

<p>Is BofA better than Wells Fargo or WaMu?? I read WaMu's Free Checking with no minimum balance or fees which sounds pretty good to me. Anybody got WaMu?</p>

<p>What is WaMu? Sounds like another bank/institution we don't have in HI.</p>

<p>Redski--with your checking account, do you have a debit card & ATM card? Just trying to figure all of this out. When I was in college in the 70s, I had an ATM card. My hubby isn't fond of them, so we haven't had any since & are rather "out of the loop." [My kids pay for everything in cash; hubby & I just use charge cards & checks (cash when absolutely necessary).] Was there a reason you didn't want the "Trojan Family Account" instead of what you chose? Thanks again!</p>

<p>^Yup, they give everyone a free MasterCard ATM and Checking card. Has a nice sketch of VKC on it too!</p>

<p>lol, I don't blame you; my dad hates ATM cards too and actually cut his!</p>

<p>WaMu is Washington Mutual Bank. They are mostly on the west coast but also in some southern states but not everywhere. Here's the site:
<a href="http://www.wamu.com/personal/default.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.wamu.com/personal/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I just wondered what's the best bank to deal with in Cali...Wells Fargo, BofA, or WaMu?</p>

<p>BofA is across the street from campus, the other two have branches in LA, but not anywhere near campus, AFAIK.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/explorela/banking.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/explorela/banking.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>there seems to be atms from bofa, citibank, wamu, and wells fargo all within a reasonable close distance to campus...</p>

<p>yeah, I mainly chose BofA because besides USC Credit Union, BofA is the only other ATM at Commons. I didn't have to worry about fees because my parents hold a BofA account, so it's very easy to get money (although that could be a bad thing if you're not careful!)</p>