BEI is a programme of the Department for Employment and Learning NI and is delivered by the British Council, which will cover the following student expenses: 

•  Term-time accommodation in college dorms, a full meal plan and books
• All travel costs for the student are covered to and from the US (one return flight per year – additional travel back home during holidays must be covered by student)

Student Contribution -
What the student who is accepted onto the BEI Programme must pay: 

1. Insurance - approx £300 
2. VISA and SEVIS fees - approx £115 in total
3. Enough spending money to cover all subsistence expenses during college/university breaks.  Keep in mind - SAVE, SAVE, SAVE! 

As a rough guide, most students bring around £2,000 with them as extra spending money.  You will probably need extra money for:

• days you won't be on Campus.  During American holidays such as Thanksgiving, the dorms will be closed on Campus so you are responsible for arranging your accommodation and meals during that time.  You may be invited to an American's home or BEI students may get together to organise a trip.
• any socialising/sporting activities you wish to do during the normal week
• any extra travelling you undertake: flights, accommodation and sightseeing costs.
• miscellaneous costs like bedding, change for laundry or your morning Starbucks coffee before class.

Managing your money

There are different ways to carry your money with you when in America.

• You may already have a UK credit card, but be aware that the cost of an ATM transaction on your home credit card can be anything up to $6 a go.
• Instead of bringing travellers’ cheques, previous students have put their money into an international ‘pay-as-you-go’ card, which is loaded with money before you go. For example, Mastercard offers a prepaid ‘cashplus’ card.
• Others have set up bank accounts there and obtained a US credit card through that. This is a popular option as when you book online, some American websites will forbid you to purchase something unless you have a US billing address.
• Unfortunately students who are on BEI are not eligible to take out a student loan for that year from the Student Loans Company. So we suggest you take out your second year loan and put it in a savings account until you depart or alternatively don’t spend all your of your second year’s installments