We recommend you open a US bank account upon arrival to Berkeley. BMO Bank is the official bank of UCB with an on-campus branch located in the MLK Student Union and various ATMs located throughout campus.
If you choose NOT to use BMO, there are several options around campus.
Once you set-up your US bank account, it would be a good idea to activate Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) if you have not done so yet. To set-up EFT, go to calcentral.berkeley.edu -> Financial Resources -> Manage Accounts.
When you arrive on campus you must provide us with your contact and an emergency contact information. Please logon to CalCentral to update all contact details. Campus will use this information to mail checks and the diploma upon graduation.
Important:
- Contact information must be updated each time you move or change your phone. International Students on an F-1 or J-1 are required to report and maintain a local U.S. address with the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of arrival and within 10 days of any address change.
- Your emergency contact should be someone who is a relative. Do NOT use a boy/girlfriend, roommate, or classmate as an emergency contact.
The Cal 1 Card serves as your official university identification. In addition, you are provided with an AC Transit Class Pass, which allows you free access to all AC Transit bus routes and other public transportation, such as BART. Please note that you will not be able to obtain the AC Transit Class Pass Clipper Card if you have not paid your tuition fee.
You will receive your Cal 1 Card during orientation week.
You will need to set-up a phone while in the US. The major cell phone providers are:
- Verizon Wireless
- AT&T Mobility
- T-Mobile US
- Sprint Corporation
Once you have a phone, please remember to set-up your voicemail! It is extremely important for you to set up your voicemail box immediately. If your voicemail box is not set up, callers (including potential employers) will not be able to leave messages when you miss their calls!
Call your own voicemail and follow the prompts to set up or update your message – keep it brief and professional.
Not sure how to access your voicemail settings? Search “how to set up voicemail” and the model of your phone or refer to your instruction manual.