Personal banking, finances and stipends

How to estimate a monthly cost of living?
Students need to have sufficient funds to cover essential needs such as housing, food and some instructional costs. Your actual expenses will vary depending on your individual needs and spending habits. For a general estimate see the cost of living section of the CEU website.

Students should budget additionally for travel, recreation, mobile phone and other.

I receive Full or Partial CEU Fellowship. When and how do I receive my benefits?
You will receive benefits according to the type of your accommodation (CEU Residence center, or rented flat). For details on benefits, please visit the Stipend and Finance FAQ or consult your individual acceptance package and Enrollment Confirmation Form. In case you receive CEU stipend, the CEU Budget and Finance Office will transfer the money to your Hungarian bank account in HUF. At the beginning of the academic year, the Budget and Finance Office organizes an orientation session concerning your banking. You will be offered two alternatives:

1. to open a local currency account at any bank in Budapest on your own
2. to use the bank contracted by CEU to offer services to CEU students (CIB Bank)

If you choose the second option, a representative of the bank will come to the orientation session with the necessary documents and help you fill them in. The account will be opened and you will receive your bank (debit) card within two or three weeks. The CIB Representatives have to open hundreds of accounts this time, that is why this process takes weeks.

I am a recipient of Partial CEU Tuition Waiver. Where and how do I pay my fees?
Your tuition payments are administered by the CEU Budget and Finance Office. Please review the methods of payment accepted by CEU http://www.ceu.hu/admissions/tuitionandfees/payment. Payments in cash are made at the CEU Cash Desk, located in Nador u. 15, 1st floor. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 m., and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. every weekday. Closed between 12:00 m. and 1:00 p.m., and after 3:00 p.m. You can pay on-line,  in cash, by personal checks or you can start a wire transfer. Fees may be paid in EUR, HUF or USD at an exchange rate determined by the Budget and Finance Office based on daily rates published by MNB.

See also the Frequently Asked Questions for stipend, Finance Office and banking.