Services

Once you arrive in Montreal, you may want to set up a local bank account near either the Downtown or Macdonald campus (see more information below). Most banks offer student accounts, but make sure to ask bank representatives about service fees, transaction quotas, free services (i.e. internet and phone banking), credit card options, and any other information you'll need to make the best decision about where to open your account. 

Near the Downtown campus

All of the banks listed below are within walking distance of McGill’s downtown campus. The Royal Bank has several ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) located on campus and the Scotia Bank has an ATM in the Students' Society's Shatner University Centre on McTavish Street (open during building operating hours).  To learn more about the various student bank plans, click on each bank’s link below.

Bank of Montreal
Bank of Nova Scotia
National Bank of Canada
Royal Bank
TD Bank
CIBC
Tangerine

Near the Macdonald Campus

The Bank of Montreal and the National Bank of Canada have branches located in the vicinity of the Macdonald Campus, and the Royal Bank has an ATM machine in Laird Hall, a residence on Macdonald campus.

For more information on banking options near the Macdonald campus, consult the list of branches below:

• CIBC
  An ATM is available on the campus of John Abbott College.
• National Bank
  An ATM is available near campus located at 33, Saint-Pierre, Ste-Anne-De-Bellevue
• Royal Bank
  An ATM is available directly on campus in the Department of Bioresource Engineering.

Before purchasing a cell phone, check out SSMU Marketplace, as students are often looking to sell their old cell phones or transfer their contracts. This can help you both find an inexpensive phone and avoid costly activation charges.

Cell phone companies such as Bell Mobility, Rogers, TELUS, Fido, Koodo and Virgin Mobile offer cell phone coverage across Montreal.

The Phone Booth is a store that offers phones and plans from different companies. They can advise you on the best plan to take according to your needs and usage.

Internet: you can try living without it (as a McGill student, you'll have free high-speed wifi on campus), but if you prefer to stay connected at home too, here are some local Internet providers you can turn to. Prices and availability of options may vary depending on where you live.

Bell
Cogeco
Rogers
Videotron
Bravo Telecom
Virgin

Living off-campus and thinking about insuring your valuables? Thanks to a plan negotiated by the McGill Alumni Association, McGill students benefit from preferential insurance rates offered by the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program. To learn more about student insurance premiums, contact them through their website or by phone at 1-877-536-7755.

McGill-affiliated childcare services

• McGill Childcare Centre
  This centre accepts children who are between 4 months and 5 years old. Parents must be full-time McGill students, staff members and/or faculty. Visit their website for more information.
• SSMU Daycare
  Operated by the Students' Society of McGill University, this centre cares for children between 18 months and 5 years old, and first priority is given to the children of undergraduate students. Children of graduate students, staff and faculty members may be accepted if the needs of undergraduate students have been met.
• Macdonald Campus Daycare
  This service accommodates the children of students enrolled in classes on the Macdonald Campus. For more information, call 514-505-3770.

Family Resources Coordinator