When a student heads off to college, they’re not just gaining independence — they’re also taking on new responsibilities.

From managing healthcare to handling finances, having access to the right documents is crucial. But between dorm rooms, campus moves, and digital distractions, it’s easy for things to get lost.

This article outlines the essential documents students need for life in college — and how a secure platform like Trustworthy can help both students and parents stay prepared.

Q: What documents should every college student have when starting school?

A: At a minimum, students should have access to these essentials:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport).

• Health insurance card and vaccination records.

• Student ID card and college acceptance letter.

• Bank account and debit card information.

• Emergency contact list.

• Medical power of attorney (if parents may need to step in).

• FERPA release form (if parents want access to academic records).

• Social Security card or number (for jobs, financial aid, or taxes).

• Housing contract or lease (for dorm or apartment).

• Class schedule and course registration.

Q: Where should these documents be stored?

A: Physical copies can get lost in a dorm or during travel. Digital storage is safer and more accessible.

Trustworthy is a secure digital vault, where you can upload, organize, and share documents with exactly the right level of access. Whether your student needs to pull up an insurance card at urgent care or you need to resend a lease agreement, the document is just a few clicks away.

Q: Why are medical and legal documents especially important at 18?

A: Once a student turns 18, parents no longer have automatic rights to access their medical or academic records due to HIPAA and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) rules.

That’s why it’s essential to prepare a medical power of attorney and consider signing a FERPA release. These can be securely stored and shared in Trustworthy, so they’re always available in an emergency.

Q: How can Trustworthy help students manage financial documents?

A: Students juggling tuition, financial aid, and part-time jobs need organized access to bank account details, FAFSA submissions (federal student aid), and tax documents.

With Trustworthy, they (or their parents) can store and label each item clearly — and even set reminders for things like scholarship renewals or rent payments.

Q: Can students and parents both access the account?

A: Yes. Trustworthy's Family Operating System® lets you set custom access levels, so you can decide who sees what.

A student might share their insurance card and emergency contacts with a parent but keep private items (like a résumé or some financial accounts) for themselves. It’s collaboration without overstepping.

Q: What about things like passwords and student logins?

A: While a dedicated password manager is helpful, Trustworthy also lets you securely store and categorize critical login details — whether it’s for student portals, health insurance accounts, or tuition billing systems.

If a student forgets a password while traveling, they can retrieve it from their Trustworthy app instantly.

Q: Is this also a good time to start teaching digital organization?

A: Absolutely. College is a major life shift — and a great opportunity to help students build good habits around document management and digital security.

With Trustworthy, students learn how to stay organized, protect sensitive information, and make smart decisions about who can access what.

Q: What happens if a phone or laptop is lost or stolen?

A: If your documents are stored locally, they could be gone for good.

But with Trustworthy, everything is encrypted, tokenized, and backed up, with secure logins and optional biometric access. Students can log in from another device and still access everything they need.

Q: What if I’m the parent and I just want peace of mind?

A: Trustworthy was built for exactly this kind of situation.

You can help your student get organized, stay connected to key documents, and make sure you both have what you need in case of a medical issue, travel problem, or financial question. And you can do it without hovering or digging through their backpack.