Life pro tip- to those issuing debit or credit cards to their kiddos. Make sure you set up text or email alerts for these cards (either on your phone, your child’s phone, or both). Every time the card is used a text is sent immediately with the amount and location used. Each card issuer has different alert programs, but they all have one.
My son’s CC was compromised and the alerts to his phone really saved us. His card was not stolen, but the mag strip info was transferred to a fake card. We closed the card immediately and a new one was issued.
Definitely recommend a mattress pad! Although be warned, some schools don’t allow foam mattress pads due to fire hazards, so check with the school first. There are some really nice cotton ones out there too.
If your kids are in an undergrad business school, they might need some business clothing too. In some classes, students may have to dress business casual to give presentations in class.
My daughter is attending far from home and she picked up a cool trick from the girl she’s rooming with next year. That family is also from far away, and while her older sister went to this same college they always had a small storage locker in town to keep “stuff” like off-season outerwear, boots, furniture over the summer, etc. When she comes home this spring it’ll only be clothes and the rest is staying behind. In fact as parents we received a coupon in the mail from a storage facility out there (though I’m not sure it’s the one they used.)
My D will major in the sciences at UICU this fall. I want to prepare her for the academic rigor of the sciences and calculus on the college level. Not sure if that’s a class, self-study, tutoring or what. For my oldest (graduating Spelman on time next month) we spent a few thousand sending her to Landmark in Vermont for a few weeks of prep due to her ADD. However, she still struggled freshman year with the gen ed courses. Anyone else thinking about the same issues/concerns of what to do with them over the pre-freshman summer???
Ran the Dad (I can’t tag you because of the spaces in your user name, I think). I’m wondering how common this is. Anyone else ever do this? I’m thinking that if she was admitted to UICU as a science major then she is prepared already. She’s probably not different from any other freshman. I do think you can point her to all the resources available on campus for extra help. Make sure she has a list before she goes.
Ran the Dad (I also don’t know how to tag you because of the spaces). I have a different concern, but along the same lines. My DS17 is graduating from a very small school (total HS students is about ~100) but has chosen a huge state flagship. He decided to attend a summer session that the college has for incoming frosh. It won’t be as crowded and while the courses are abbreviated there are only 2 of them. We figured that this was a good way to acclimate to the MUCH larger school in a low pressure manner.
Those summer programs are good. Helps with the transition to college and they move in before the big crowd. It allows them time to get used to the campus and get to know their way around so that when the semester starts they hit the ground running. Those summer classes help with the foundation skills necessary to get a head start with first semester classes.
ClassicRockerDad - and others really have some great tips.
There are some highlights that I thought were particularly good -
a) Health insurance - is your policy accepted by local networks and determining if it acceptable at the student health center.
b) Tuition insurance - before buying it be sure to know what the refund policy is of the school. With my first 2 kids - neither school provided refunds after day 15. I found a policy for around 135 for 10,000 of coverage and thought it was a good deal vs. losing the money.
c) Campus Safety / Crime - I reviewed the Clery Act data with my first two students. Mostly as a way to discuss everything from theft, to sexual assault. With my son and daugther it was a good framework to discuss what our plan would be in the case something bad happens - theft of property or assault of them. I wanted them to know I have their backs.
d) Living On Campus - I was surprised that more parents didn’t discuss the value of renters insurance. For about $12 a month, I bought a plan during the leasing process of the school. It seemed like the best protection I could get that would replace stolen or damaged student property.
@STEM2017, I bought my D15 an insurance policy through a company suggested by the school that covered her in the dorms. It covered all of her electronics specifically, and paid us for her bike that was taken, although she did need to file a police report. I was satisfied with the coverage and it was pretty easy. (Speaking of which, I better remember when it’s time for her renewal!)
Check with your insurance company in terms of renters insurance. My carrier told me my son’s belongings would be covered up to 10% of our policy while he was at school. Liability coverage same. However, once they move off campus, many apartment/house owners want to see renters insurance in the kid’s name which is about $10/month.
If all goes to plan my daughter will be going as an international student to the USA in 2018. My question is, if there is a separate checklist for incoming international freshman?
Sorry if this has been covered somewhere upthread…don’t college freshmen receive numerous credit card solicitations once arriving at campus? Back in the day this was the only way to get a credit card and start building credit in the student’s own name without a full time job. And there was no need for a parent cosigner.
Well, not exactly a check list…but make sure your daughter know these:
CANNOT work off campus without authorization or exigent circumstance(i.e. Home country current drop). For example, you can go internship/Co-op realted to your major but you cannot work in restaurant.
CANNOT work on campus more than 20 hours/week.
MUST STAY in full time student all the time when the school is session. A student can’t just take a semester off like US nationals. It will affect your daughter’s status.
The three above are the most important to stay in US legally.
Always update the local address. If not, this will incur 500$ fine. Idk why this is so expensive but 500$ is worth a monthly rent.
Always keep old I-20s, old passports. Every legal documetns that shows your legal residence in USA must be with her. Make photocopies of them and save them in google drive!
@Sam-I-Am for student credit cards, check Nerdwallet. They have good recommendations specifically for students. I have been nagging D17 about applying for one. Since she is going to be 2,000 miles away, I feel it’s essential in case she has an emergency. I have also suggested she set up a free CreditKarma account and start monitoring her credit score and credit history. I just read a news story about identity thieves who use the SSN’s of children. Since no-one thinks to check kids’ credit, it goes unnoticed until the kids turn 18 and apply for their first credit card or car loan or whatever. I’m hoping this didn’t happen to D17 but if it did, the sooner we know about it, the sooner we can go about correcting it. And in this age of rampant identity theft, I just think it’s a good idea for D17 to start learning about how to establish and monitor credit.
We got D15 a Capital One student Visa. It has no annual fee, does not charge a foreign transaction fee if they go abroad (which is why we got D the card), and gives cash back for your purchases (1%) and on-time payments (1/2%). It was super easy to apply for online and it has been really easy to set it up for automatic online payments.
Make sure you book a room in advance for Move In Day. I didn’t book a hotel room last year in time for my daughters move in day and couldn’t get a room! The rooms fill up fast so get one while you can. Here’s the website I used this year to book one for this year. https://www.alltherooms.com/HS
I’m a student going to UC Davis in a couple months; I’d like to say thank you to everyone here for all of your tips! Even though I’m not a parent, this forum has helped me think of things I’d never even heard of (like the HIPAA form).
I would suggest to parents that you use Dorm Room Movers. Look back through my posts for info on them. Storage areas are great. But unlike the move in for freshman, there will be no one around to help with move out and then move in sophomore year. DRM will come pick up your items, store them for the summer and bring them back to your new room in the fall. They take anything. You pay by the box, or item. They have a price list. I have used them each year since my D has been there. I may actually have them do some of the shipping of items after she graduates in May. I have been really spoiled with them.