With a new semester on the horizon, any New York family sending a student to college, whether living on campus or commuting from home, can benefit from a college legal checklist. While students choose classes and pack their dorm necessities, parents should help their children prepare the paperwork that allows them to step in during a medical or financial emergency. Handle these documents now so your student can dive into campus life and you can breathe a little easier back home.
1. Health Care Proxy and HIPAA Release
At 18, medical information becomes private. A New York Health Care Proxy lets your student name someone to make medical decisions if they cannot speak. A HIPAA release allows doctors to share updates with you.
2. Durable Power of Attorney
A New York statutory Power of Attorney lets your child appoint an agent, often a parent, to handle banking, taxes, or housing paperwork. It is invaluable if the student is away and faces a temporary incapacity.
3. FERPA Release
Colleges protect grades and disciplinary records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Parents should learn as much as possible about the specific FERPA policy of their child’s college. Many schools offer an online FERPA release, allowing parents to receive academic or billing information. While there are many exceptions to FERPA, it’s a good idea to discuss this with your child and, if they agree, have them sign a FERPA Release.
4. Emergency Contact and Medical History Card
Phones get lost and passwords forgotten. Your child should create a list of emergency contacts, allergies, prescriptions, and insurance details. They should consider keeping it with their ID, in case they are unable to access their phones in an emergency.
5. Renter’s or Dorm-Room Insurance
Check whether your homeowner’s policy covers personal property in a dorm. If coverage is limited, consider adding a rider or buying a student renter’s policy to protect laptops and other items.
6. Digital Access Plan
Store a short list of your child’s critical passwords, phone passcodes, cloud storage information, and banking app details in a secure manager or sealed envelope at home. If a phone is locked in an emergency, you can still reach contacts or verify transactions.
7. Basic Estate-Planning Conversation
No college student wants to have a comprehensive estate planning discussion. Still, a brief conversation about emergency decision-makers, tuition payments, and social media wishes can spare the family confusion later.
8. Copies for School and Home
Once these documents are created, provide the student with a digital cloud folder containing PDFs of each document. Keep originals and an extra thumb drive at home. These measures should provide easier access to any needed items in the event of an emergency.
Sending a child to college is both exciting and nerve-racking. Completing this college legal checklist now lets your student dive into campus life while you enjoy peace of mind at home.
