7 Documents Every Parent Should Have Before Their Student Leaves for College

When most parents think about preparing their student for college, they focus on things like move-in day, class schedules, meal plans, and how they're going to pay for everything.

What many parents don't realize is that once a student turns 18, important legal changes take place.

Even if you're paying the tuition bill, covering health insurance, and helping your student navigate college life, there are situations where you may not be able to access information or make decisions on your student's behalf without the proper documents in place.

Most families never think about this until they face an emergency.

Here are seven documents worth considering before your student leaves for college.

1. Medical Power of Attorney

If your student is injured or hospitalized, this document allows someone they trust to make medical decisions if they are unable to do so themselves.

Without it, medical providers may be limited in what information they can share.

2. HIPAA Authorization

Once your student turns 18, healthcare providers are generally restricted from sharing medical information with parents.

A HIPAA authorization gives your student the ability to authorize healthcare providers to communicate with you about their care.

3. Durable Power of Attorney

This document allows someone to handle certain financial or legal matters on behalf of the student if necessary.

This can be especially helpful during emergencies or unexpected situations.

4. FERPA Release Form

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects student education records.

Without a FERPA release, colleges may be limited in what information they can discuss with parents, including academic records and financial account information.

Each college handles FERPA forms differently, so be sure to check with your student's institution.

5. Emergency Contact Information

This may seem obvious, but many students leave for college without a well-organized list of important contacts.

Make sure your student has easy access to:

• Parents' phone numbers

• Emergency contacts

• Health insurance information

• Medical providers

• Prescription information

6. Health Insurance Information

Students should understand:

• What insurance they have

• How to access care while at school

• Which providers are in-network

• What to do in an emergency

A simple conversation now can prevent confusion later.

7. Digital Access Plan

Many important accounts are now digital.

Families should discuss:

• Password management

• Emergency access procedures

• Important online accounts

• Financial account information

This doesn't mean sharing every password. It means having a plan if something unexpected happens.

Don't Wait for an Emergency

Many families never need to use these documents.

That's exactly why it's easy to put them off.

But if a medical emergency, accident, or unexpected situation occurs, having the proper paperwork in place can save valuable time and reduce stress during an already difficult situation.

If you're looking for an easy way to create many of these college-related legal documents, I recommend Mama Bear Legal Forms. Their forms are specifically designed to help families prepare for situations that often arise once a student turns 18.

As parents, we spend years helping our students prepare academically and financially for college. Taking a few minutes to prepare legally is one more way to help protect them as they begin this next chapter.