What Parents Must Do Before Their Kid Starts College: 15 Critical Steps from FERPA to Renters Insurance
Upon reaching the age of 18, a college student’s education records, medical information, and financial decisions are no longer automatically accessible to their parents. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students gain authority over their academic records, while the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) limits access to medical data. It is advisable for families to have students complete FERPA consent and HIPAA release forms, as well as establish a health care proxy and durable power of attorney. Additionally, students must file the FAFSA each year, choose health insurance, and think about renters insurance for their dorm items. They should verify meningitis vaccine requirements, gain access to the tuition portal, and register for emergency alerts. Understanding the college's medical amnesty policy and handling voter registration and roommate disputes independently is also crucial.
Key facts
- FERPA transfers control of education records to the student at age 18, even if parents pay tuition.
- A HIPAA authorization form allows parents to access medical information in emergencies.
- A health care proxy and durable power of attorney are required for medical and financial decisions on behalf of an adult child.
- The FAFSA must be filed every academic year, not just once, to maintain eligibility for federal aid.
- Meningitis vaccine requirements vary; a MenACWY booster is needed if the first dose was given before age 16.
- Students can stay on a parent's health insurance until age 26, but network coverage near campus must be verified.
- Homeowner's insurance often covers only a fraction of a dependent's dorm belongings; renters insurance is recommended.
- Adding a student as an authorized user on a credit card helps build credit history, with the primary cardholder responsible for payments.
Entities
Institutions
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Affordable Care Act
Locations
- United States
Sources
- Quartz —