Off To College: Important Papers

The following is one in a series of articles for students heading off to college. To help make your transition to school a smooth one, why not download your free copy of our College Moving Checklist today?

When heading off to college you’ll be bringing along plenty of clothing, bedding, personal effects, your favorite technology and a whole lot more. But you’ll also need to bring along important papers including documentation. What exactly should you bring? And, should you bring originals or copies?

Let’s take a look at some of the documentation you should bring with you when you head off to college this semester:

Driver’s License — Whether you will be driving to school or not, your driver’s license is one of the most important identification tools that you possess. Likely, you can pull your license out of your wallet in a moment’s notice, but is it getting ready to expire? Is the information on your license accurate? Check your vehicle registration and insurance information too before heading off to college in your ride.

Social Security Card — Your social security card should be kept with your important papers, but this group of papers doesn’t need to go to school with you. If your parents have a fireproof box with other family documentation, then keep your card in it. The Social Security Administration encourages you to know your nine-digit number, but they discourage people from carrying their cards with them.

Credit/Debit Cards — Credit and debit cards can come in handy and should be up to date and activated.  Does your student credit card offer a large enough credit line in the event you need to tap it for an emergency? Bring your checkbook with you to school too.

Medical Insurance Card — When an emergency hits, you’ll need to show some personal identification if you must go to the hospital or clinic. You’ll also need to show an updated medical insurance card if you have one.

School Registration, Financial Aid — Leave nothing for chance by bringing along a copy of your college acceptance letter and related financial aid information.  If you have already registered for classes, then bring that information with you too. Make sure that you save all related email messages too.

Student ID — New students will get their college identification card for the first time while returning students may need to get their cards updated for the fall semester.

Insurance Documentation — If you are renting an apartment this semester and you have taken out a basic renter’s insurance policy, then a copy of that paperwork should be brought with you.

Once in school, you’ll want to leave some of your important documents in a safe place, perhaps in a lockbox at your local bank or other secure location at school. Identity theft is a big problem which can happen if your paperwork isn’t in safekeeping.

Adv. – With the start of college imminent, do you have all of your finances in order? If not, you may need to secure a private student loan to help close the financing gap. Please visit SayStudent.com for review your private student loan options.

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