<p>I have seen somewhere (most likely CC) suggestions about important papers that each student should have while away at college. Beyond some obvious things (e.g., drivers license, medical insurance card), I'm wondering whether it is necessary to have a social security card, birth certificate, or passport while on campus. If so, would photocopies be sufficient? Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Wow - excellent question! I wasn't wondering before, but now I sure am.</p>
<p>If student has work study or plans on getting any type of job, they will have to fulfill the IRCA requirements in order to work. Attached is an I-9 form</p>
<p>If your students has a passport it establishes both identity and eligibility to work</p>
<p>If your student takes their drivers license (establishes identity), they must also have either their ss card or birth certificate (eligibility to work)</p>
<p>They may also need it if they are establishing bank accounts away from home.</p>
<p>would it be wise to apply for a duplicate birth certificate and passport? that way, an original stays at home in the event something happens to the one at school...</p>
<p>Just get them a passport - it establishes birth, eligibility to work, citizenship, etc. It works at the bank, as well, along with the driver's license. And, if they plan on studying abroad, you won't be doing the last minute passport rush.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the permanent residents need to bring their green cards with them on campus?
List of what I need to bring: ID
Green Card
Social Security card
Passport of my country of origin ?
Any suggestions/corrections to the above list are welcome :)!</p>
<p>Your permant resident card establishes both identity and eligiblity to work so you should definitely bring it. Your social security card probably has a stipulation that it is only valid with your green card.</p>
<p>If you bring your foreign passport you need the following.</p>
<p>Unexpired foreign passport, with I-551 stamp or attached
Form I-94 indicating unexpiredemployment authorization</p>
<p>In addition, your green card is a government issued documentation that you may need if flying etc.</p>
<p>I put all important items in a pocket folder to keep in son's desk. That way he knew anything he really needed was more than likely in there.
Copies of his insurance card, RX card, meal plan, phone numbers for family (home, cell, work) family physician info etc...When he would receive important mail from his campus mailbox (regarding scholarships and work study), he would put them in the folder.</p>
<p>DS took his drivers license, a certified copy of his birth certificate, and his health insurance card with him to college. He did NOT take his ss card (he has that # memorized and usually the SS card cannot be used for identification purposes). He kept the health card, driver's license in his wallet. The birth certificate was kept in his dorm room in a "safe place". He needed it when he applied for a job. We did not send his passport...too hard to replace if it gets lost. It's much easier to get another copy of the birth certificate.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, sybbie719. I appreciate it :)
~SS</p>
<p>My mom's sending me with the same things as thumper mentioned, for the same reasons. Getting a certified copy of a birth certificate requires sending a form to whatever county you were born in, and in my case costs about $15. Easier than passport hassles.</p>
<p>SS card may be necessary if you get a job. When my D went to get a local job, they required her to show her driver's license and SS card. I also had a friend who had to overnight to her D her SS card, because she was about to start a campus job.</p>
<p>It's a little off topic, but the letter we parents received from our S's freshman advisor had this recommendation:</p>
<p>"I recommend that you purchase a large expandable file folder, the type with internal dividers and a device to secure it shut. Put all papers that you receive from XXX into this folder, and have your child bring it to XXX. Include materials such as correspondence, receipts/sales slips, schedules, AP Exam results, transcripts, and syllabi for transfer credit. When a bureaucratic problem arises, it can often be solved with the appropriate piece of paper, and it is best if that paper is at XXX. Encourage your child to keep everything until they graduate, so they can easily access the necessary documents whenever the need arises."</p>
<p>Hopefully most of it wouldn't be needed, but it makes sense. For example, my S should receive a fair amount of transfer credit for college work he did while in high school. If something came up, it would be better to have the documentation easy at hand rather than on his book shelf 1200 miles with my wife or me trying to find it by rifling through his mare's nest of class folders from the last 4 years.</p>
<p>I didn't send a birth certificate or passport with my D. I could always mail it if she needed it. But what I did do that was invaluable is that I made two notebooks up -- one for her and one for me. In that notebook were sections -- medical, residential, academic, etc. I made copies of everything. Prescriptions, medical forms, medical history, all contact phone numbers, all papers that came from the school, stuff related to travel, etc. That notebook was right above her desk and I had mine accessible. I can't tell you how many times I used that notebook to access info I needed and I know she did on her end too. Loose papers will get lost. Under the "what I did right" column of sending a kid to college is this idea.</p>
<p>Make sure they have their medical insurance card.</p>