More good ideas…thank you! @JesusWept - good luck to your son.
First on the bank. There is no HBSC or Barclays in our state so am trying to learn if we can have an account in a different state.
On Friday we tried wiring the deposit (15% for his program - yikes) via the Western Union Oxford link. Our bank (US Bank) would not allow it to go through because of a policy limiting wires from their bank to $7000 per transaction. (Terror risk related) They told my H he could take the $8000 cash to a less than desirable part of town to the main Western Union location. He opted to not take that walk and therefore skip the Oxford wire transfer link. So setting up an account with a UK bank is at the top of our list.
Phone - I am due for an upgrade on my iPhone and am wondering if I can give him my iPhone 5 and have the sim card removed. Sounds cheaper than getting him a smart phone. Since he sill only be there for a one year, he wants to keep put his current number “on hold” with AT&T.
Over winter break, he and I are going to Oxford to get a feel of the place and to narrow down which college he wants to apply to. I am looking forward to this mother / son adventure.