For most parents, sending a child off to college is an exciting milestone — and a little nerve-wracking. After 18 years of preparing them for life, you want to be sure they have the tools, knowledge, and support they need for their first year away from home.
In my work with families, I often suggest a few important steps to take before move-in day. They range from teaching basic life skills to making sure legal, insurance, and financial matters are in order. Here are three areas every parent should address before their student heads to campus.
1. Get Key Legal Documents in Place
Once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic access to their medical or financial records — even if you’re paying the bills. To avoid surprises in an emergency, consider putting these documents in place before they leave for school:
- HIPAA Release Form – Allows healthcare providers to share your child’s medical information with you.
- Healthcare Proxy (Medical Power of Attorney) – Names someone to make medical decisions if your child can’t.
- Financial Power of Attorney – Gives a trusted person authority to handle financial matters on the student’s behalf.
- Living Will (Advance Directive) – States their wishes for end-of-life care, in case of serious illness or injury.
You can work with an attorney or use affordable online resources like Mama Bear Legal Forms or Trust & Will to prepare these. Which documents you need will depend on your family’s situation, but having these main documents in place can make all the difference when time is of the essence.
2. Review Insurance Coverage
College can change your family’s insurance needs — and assumptions — so it’s worth doing a quick, thorough review before your child leaves.
Homeowners or Renters Insurance
When your child heads to college, check your homeowners policy to see how their belongings and liability are covered. Most policies extend coverage to a full-time student under age 24, but off-premises coverage is often capped at about 10% of your personal property limit. For example, $100,000 of coverage at home might mean only $10,000 for items at school. High-value electronics, musical instruments, or other pricey gear may need a separate rider or policy.
If your student lives off-campus, their belongings likely aren’t covered — in that case, a renters policy is worth considering. Liability and sometimes medical payments coverage can also extend to them, but terms vary by insurer. And note: coverage could change if they drop below full-time status, so it’s important to confirm details with your provider.
Auto Insurance
If your student is heading to school without a car, you have a few ways to save while still keeping them covered for the occasional “Mom, can I borrow the keys?” visit. Many insurers offer a distant student discount — often 15–30% off — if the student is 75–100 miles from home with no car on campus. This keeps them covered when they visit and preserves continuous coverage, which can mean lower premiums later.
If they truly won’t drive at all, you could remove them from the policy — but remember they won’t be covered during breaks unless you add them back. A middle-ground option is to keep them as an occasional driver and assign them to your least expensive vehicle. Also, ask about a good student discount (usually a B average or higher) for extra savings. If they are taking a car to college, contact your agent to ensure proper coverage in its new location — in some cases, this requires a separate policy in that state.
Health Insurance
Before your student leaves, confirm their health insurance coverage. Many can stay on a parent’s plan until age 26, but check with your provider to make sure they’ll be covered where they’ll live — especially if it’s out of state. If coverage is limited, consider other options: many colleges offer student health plans with competitive rates and convenient on-campus services, or you can shop private plans for young adults. The goal is simple — make sure your student has continuous, adequate coverage so a health hiccup doesn’t become a financial headache.
3. Set a College Budget & Build Credit Wisely
Heading to college is the perfect time to have an open conversation about money.
- Create a Spending Plan – Sit down together and decide how much they can spend each month on essentials and extras. Setting expectations early helps avoid “surprise” credit card bills later.
- Choose the Right Bank Account – A student checking account with a bank or credit union near campus can save on ATM fees. If the school has a partner bank, even better.
- Consider a Starter Credit Card – Opening a student credit card can help them build a credit history — something landlords, employers, and lenders will look at after graduation. Just be sure to review good credit habits: spending within limits, paying on time, and keeping balances low.
- Add Them as an Authorized User. Another option is to add your child as an authorized user to your credit card. This can be a helpful safety net in case of emergencies, ensuring they have access to funds when needed. It also has an added benefit: helping your child establish a credit history — especially if they don’t yet have a card of their own. Once they’re added (or once they turn 18, depending on the card issuer), your account’s entire history will be reflected on their credit reports. It’s important to check with the issuer how they handle credit history reporting. Some issuers don’t report activity for users younger than 18. For example, American Express may withhold reporting until the authorized user reaches 18, while others like Discover or Barclays do report earlier. As long as you use the account responsibly — keeping balances low and paying on time — this positive history can help them start their adult life with a strong credit foundation. Over time, this can make it easier for them to rent an apartment, get a car loan, or even qualify for lower insurance rates after graduation.
The Bottom Line
These steps may feel like extra work during an already busy summer, but they can prevent bigger headaches down the road. As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Taking time to get the paperwork, insurance, and money matters squared away now means your new college student can focus on what matters most — learning, growing, and thriving in this exciting new chapter.
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