Money/Personal Expenses:

Please be sure to arrive in Northwest Arkansas with enough cash in US Dollars to pay for your personal expenses for several days, until you can establish a bank account. There is NO currency exchange service at our regional airport, so you may wish to exchange currency before leaving home or at your point of entry to the United States, if time allows. Another option is to bring Traveler’s Checks and/or credit cards such as VISA or MasterCard. These are widely accepted.

Getting Money from Home to Fayetteville

            There are a number of ways to arrange for the transfer of money for your tuition and living expenses. You can have money wired from your bank to a Fayetteville bank, or you may bring a bank check or cashier’s check to be deposited in an account in Fayetteville. Please visit http://www.uark.edu/ipo/arrival/finance.html for more information about money transfers.

Tuition and Fees

They may be paid by traveler’s checks, credit card, or bank check paid to the University of Arkansas.

The Following are Examples of Prices in Fayetteville, AR

Hotels/Motels

Inexpensive- $35-$50 Mid-Range- $50-$85 Expensive $90-$125

Make sure to ask about the total price. Often room rates are given without taxes. Taxes may run as high as 20%.

Rental Properties

Close to campus apartments 1 or 2 bedroom $300-$600 per month

Small 2 bedroom house $550-$700 per month 3 bedroom house $700 and up per month

Food/Meals

Restaurant Meals                  Fast Food Restaurants (No waiter service)

Breakfast $4-$7                       Breakfast $2-$4

Lunch $5-$10                          Lunch $3-$6

Dinner $7-$20              Dinner $3-$6

Groceries

Vegetables & Fruits $1-$3 per lb                      Bottled water $1.00 per liter

Meat $2-$5 per pound                                     Loaf of bread $2-$3

Canned vegetables $.75 cents per can   Cigarettes $3-$4 per pack

Magazines $3-$5                                              Newspapers $.50

Soda Pop $.75-$1.25 per bottle or 12 ounce can

Spices $3-$6 (spices are not often available in bulk quantities)

Clothing/Miscellaneous (These reflect average prices at popular stores)

Shirts & sweaters $15-$50                   Alarm clocks $5-$10

Pants/jeans $20-$60                             Laundry soap $3-$6 (40 loads)

Bed sheets $20-30                               Shampoo $1-$12 per bottle

Bath Towels $6-10 per towel  19” TV $200

A few tips:

Dental care is very expensive in the U.S. and is not covered by the student health insurance. Filling a cavity can cost around $200. Removal of molar teeth and root canals can cost $1000 and up. Consider visiting your dentist prior to your departure.

Shoes: Good leather shoes are expensive ($50-$200) in the U.S. Bring shoes from home if they are reasonably priced Electronic devices are comparatively inexpensive in the U.S. Computers, TV’s, VCR’s, and stereos can be purchased new or used at a reasonable price.