There is so much unknown coming into college, and if you're Type A like me, you want to make sure you have all of your ducks in a row. I get it! My goal is to help you feel more prepared for college and adult life by ensuring you have all of the correct legal documents as a college student so you can live worry free.
Hey, y'all! My name is Isabella, and I’m a Pre-Law college student learning how to navigate adulthood right alongside you! Today I will tell you about the 7 Most Important Legal Documents That Every College Student Should Have.
*The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. I am not a licensed attorney. If you need legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.*
navigating legal documents
Leaving for college and having to take control of your legal documents, medical records, health, social security, and more can be very overwhelming and uncharted territory.
But it is necessary! Now is the time to learn these things, and it is often hard to know exactly what to do, so if you are able, then sit down with your parents and go through this list to ensure you have all of these documents and know what they do.
the legal documents every college student needs
- HIPAA release forms
- Insurance cards (Health, dental, vision, etc.)
- Personal documents (IDs or Passport)
- Medical records
- Social security card
- Power of attorney
- Living will
HIPAA release forms
The purpose of the HIPAA release forms is to allow a designated, competent adult to access your medical records and talk to your healthcare providers.
Whether your designated person is your parents, guardian, or other relative, it must be a competent adult. This does not allow them to make decisions on your behalf, only to have access to this information.
The HIPAA forms apply only to healthcare. This makes it different from a POA, as discussed later.
insurance
Talk to your parents and make sure you have health insurance of some kind. Then, ensure you have a physical card from that company that you can bring to school.
You will need the physical card for any new doctor visits you make.
Also, ask your parents if you have any additional insurance, such as dental insurance, vision insurance, etc. If you do, also ensure you have a physical card for those.
personal documents
Personal documents such as a driver's license or a photo ID like a passport. Ensure you have your driver's license.
Additionally, you may choose not to bring your passport to college, but I recommend doing so if you plan on traveling or think you need it.
medical records
Some schools will require you to submit immunization records and emergency contacts before your first semester of college.
It is crucial to have your vaccination records, allergy details, emergency contact information, list of medications, and doctor's contact information readily available on your phone or computer.
Social security card
You will not need your social security card regularly. However, you will need it if you apply for a job while in school. This is because you will need to fill out tax information. Additional scenarios include opening a bank account, applying for FAFSA, and some internships that might require it.
You could leave this at home if you know you will not need it through the upcoming school year. It is totally up to you.
durable Power of attorney (POA)
This document allows any competent adult you designate to make decisions on your behalf.
Whether that is your parents, guardian, or other relative it needs to be a competent adult who you are authorizing to make decisions for you in emergencies, finances, healthcare, legal decisions, handle taxes on your behalf, and more.
However, your POA cannot override your wishes while you are competent.
You need a Durable POA, specifically, which ensures that the powers given to your designated adult will remain in effect even if you become incapacitated. This is so they can continue making decisions on your behalf in emergencies.
Living will
I'm sure you have heard of a will, but a living will is a little different. A living will is a legal document that outlines your medical treatment preferences in case you become incapacitated.
If you don't want the person you designated as your POA to be responsible for those medical decisions, then this is how you can lay out your preferences ahead of time for emergency scenarios.
I truly hope this post helped you feel more informed and prepared to tackle college and adult life! Try your best not to be overwhelmed because it takes time to learn how to handle importatn things like legal documents or medical records. You got it! If this post helped you I bet you would like 15 Most Important Questions To Ask Before Signing A Lease.
With Love,
Isabella XO
