Money and Banking
United States currency is the U.S. Dollar (USD) and symbolized by a $.
Dollars are made of paper and are also known as bills, bucks and cash. They are printed in green and come in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins are produced in silver and copper, and there are 100 cents in one dollar. The penny (one cent) is the only copper-colored coin. The nickel (five cents) is larger than a penny. The dime (10 cents) is the smallest-sized coin, and the quarter (25 cents) is the largest. While uncommon, a one dollar gold coin is legal tender and might be given as change from the post office.
Banks
U.S. Bank has a branch on campus on the lower level of Busch Student Center. It offers full
banking services, including checking and savings accounts.
To open an account, you will need your passport, your local address and at least $25
USD in the form of a check or cash. It is recommended to open a checking account
soon after your arrival in the United States so that you get a debit card to use at
stores and ATMs. If you live off campus, you may want to order personal checks to
pay bills (such as cell phone and internet), although many bills are now payable online.
Although theft is not usually a problem on SLU's campus, storing large amounts of
cash in your residence hall or apartment is strongly discouraged.
Other popular full-service banks in the St. Louis area include Bank of America, Commerce
Bank and UMB.
Carrying Money
Do not carry or keep large sums of cash or valuables in your residence hall or apartment; deposit money into a bank account. Valuables such as jewelry or important documents can be stored in a safety deposit box at your bank. The federal government insures most U.S. banks (look for the term "FDIC"); therefore, your deposits are guaranteed.
When traveling, do not carry large amounts of cash with you. It’s a good idea to have a little bit of cash, and use your debit card to make purchases or withdraw small sums of money from an ATM.
Billiken Bucks
Your student ID serves as your identification card on campus. This card will get
you into the library, gym and computer labs, and allow you to borrow books and equipment.
You also can deposit money into a Billiken Bucks account, which operates much like
an ATM card. This card can be used to purchase food and other items on campus and
in nearby restaurants.
You can purchase Billiken Bucks through mySLU or in person at the Office of Parking and Card Services in DuBourg Hall, Room 33.