Minimum amount of money needed when you arrive at the airport

[thekidd]

I am going to South Carolina in the fall and was wondering what the minimum amount of money you think I should have when I arrive at the airport.

I have a teaching assistantship so after a while I sure ill be fine but its just the first few days I am worried about.

I am from Africa. And considering how expensive the air ticket is going to be, every penny counts.

[thekidd]

Do you think $500 can do? I don't intend to live lavishly till I become rich..lol

[Russophile]

Are you planning on living on campus? If you plan on living on campus, all you really need to worry about before you get your stipend is getting around, but if you need to find a place off campus, you are going need more than $500.

[thekidd]

Are you planning on living on campus? If you plan on living on campus, all you really need to worry about before you get your stipend is getting around, but if you need to find a place off campus, you are going need more than $500.

I havent yet got any information about the housing. But from what I have read, it seems that staying on campus is more expensive than off-campus. Not very sure though.

Roughly how much does a grad student spend per month minus utility bills?

[fuzzylogician]

Monthly bills aside (I don't know anything about the area you'll be going to; you should check out the page for your school in the city guide forum, you might find a lot of the information you're looking for there) - if you're planning on renting an apartment off campus, you will have a lot of one-time expenses in the beginning of the year. You'll need to buy furniture (+rent a truck to move it in or pay movers), you'll need to stock up on food, cleaning supplies, pots and pans, you might need to buy books, pay something extra for dental/other insurance, etc. You might also have to pay deposits for the apartment (e.g. 1-2 months rent) and for things like telephone and internet, since you don't have a credit history. That will depend on the specific deals you'll find, but be prepared to have an fairly large amount of money to put as down-payments. Then depending on the weather, you might need to buy a new wardrobe (it depends on what you'll come with and the conditions in your area - again, I don't really know). I'd estimate that I spent at least $2,000 my first month on all of the above (that's for: deposits, basic furninure, some food+other supplies, books, some winter clothes, dental insurance--leaving things like more clothes, more non-essential furniture, internet, more supplies for the next month or two). Starting a life in a place far from home is very expensive.

[Postbib Yeshuist]

It will be hard to fix an amount that you'll need upon arriving. I would suggest that you come with $100-150 in cash max (in case you get robbed, for example) and then carry a credit card. The card will cover you much more in the event of an emergency, and you can restrict your spending with a card just as easily with cash if you watch your receipts. I attended College of Charleston (in SC) back in the early 90's for undergrad and on-campus was most certainly cheaper than off, though it was undergrad housing, so much less physical space "per dollar." If you intend to live off-campus, you will more than likely need first & last moth's rent, and then utility deposits, etc. On-campus housing has the benefit of just going on your tuition bill.

I strongly recommend that you call your institution in advance and see what their arrangements will be.