Young woman walking up college stairs

7 Important Documents Your Senior Needs Before College

Written By Dawn Smith

With college decisions made, it’s time for you and your newly minted adult to collect the documents needed to start college. You probably already realize that official paperwork changes after they turn 18, and your parental authority only goes so far. Although your student might not need every document outlined below, they’re worth discussing, especially in emergencies. Gathering these documents isn’t a quick process, so plan months ahead to be ready for school.

1. GI Bill Transfer and Certificate of Eligibility

You’ve probably transferred GI Bill benefits to your child at this point in senior year. It’s a good idea to confirm the transfer so you can move on to obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility and send it to the school your child enrolls in. None of the payment processes can start until the school verifies that your student has benefits.

The student starts the application process and needs their own VA.gov account unless they’re under 18 and haven’t graduated from high school, in which case the sponsor applies. These resources provide more details.

2. Driver’s License, Military ID or Passport

You’ll want to ensure that at least one of these documents doesn’t expire while your child is at school. Updating them before they leave avoids a lot of hassle, especially if they attend school out of state. An updated military ID also makes accessing TRICARE services much easier.

My husband was recently notified through his .mil email that our dependent IDs expire in 90 days. We were offered the opportunity to renew online, which was so exciting — no coordinated trip to the ID office needed! We’re supposed to have new IDs in the mail in 30 days or less. Military OneSource has great resources to help you get or renew an ID card for you or someone in your family.

3. Social Security Card and Birth Certificate

Make copies of these documents to send with your freshman to school (unless your school requires originals). It’s difficult to replace these if they get lost, so storing originals at their permanent address is a smart choice. Remind them to keep these copies safe at school; identity theft is a common problem.

4. Medical and Immunization Records

If you’re like me, you already dread rounding up all your student’s pertinent medical documents. Chances are high that their college wants a copy of their immunization records. Having medical records and prescriptions readily available is helpful if your student has ongoing medical circumstances.

5. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Waiver

You might recognize FERPA from the Common App during the application process. You’ll need a FERPA waiver if you want access to academic records like grades and disciplinary records, even if you pay the tuition. The school should have a copy of FERPA to sign; it’s likely part of the enrollment process.

6. HIPAA Release Form

Have a conversation with your child about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It restricts health care providers from sharing patient information without their knowledge or consent, so parents can’t see medical care records. You might already be familiar with this working with TRICARE.

The HIPAA release is used in case of emergency so parents can authorize care and handle claims. Your state has HIPAA forms, but your student might also need one for their out-of-state school. If your child’s college doesn’t provide access to these forms, your local JAG office should point you in the right direction.

No one wants to imagine the worst-case scenario, but you may also want to discuss power of attorney to legally help your child manage financial affairs if they are incapacitated. Additionally, an advance directive addresses life-extending medical treatment options.

7. Insurance for Property at School

Laptops and tablets are just the start of costly items housed in dorms and apartments. If your homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover your child’s belongings at school, you may want to consider a separate renter’s policy. Many schools offer inexpensive policies to the student body. This option may also be shown during enrollment.

Time flies fast during senior year, so don’t leave these documents for the last minute. If everything is ready, you will feel better about leaving after move-in day.

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of education and employment resources and tools tailored to your needs.

Children in a museum

Spring Break Fun: Military Family Edition

Written By Tanecia Favors

Duty stations can be hit or miss, but whether you are planning a trip away or staying local for spring break, military families know how to make the most of every situation. I want to share the value of taking advantage of “local” entertainment and planning a few staycations.

When my family was stationed in Virginia, Washington, DC, was a day trip away. We spent many days exploring the state and visiting nearby areas. I like to think that we became long-term tourists in the places we called home, thanks to military orders. If we are lucky enough to have a week off during spring break, that makes it even better! Grab your pen, paper or phone, and let’s plan a week of family fun together.

First things first, I want you to dust off that duty station bucket list. Take a moment to review it and look for something you haven’t done yet, or perhaps something you think your family would want to do again. For my family, that would probably consist of a few touristy adventures and day trips exploring spots in the city or nearby areas. Maybe you could visit a museum, a park or catch brunch at a favorite restaurant you’ve been meaning to try. You could also head to that water park that is finally open for the season or let the kids pick what y’all do for the day. My teenager would 100% plan a day of sleeping in, brunch and hitting up arcades with his friends. Meanwhile, my 5-year-old would likely either be up before the sun, ready to head to a toy store or a children’s museum. My 3-year-old, of course, would love to go to the park. Luckily, being stationed in San Diego, there is no shortage of parks that fit the bill.

Museum

Don’t forget to visit your local MWR for discounted attraction tickets and to see if there are any events that are being held on the base that are family friendly. You might even stumble upon the base’s outdoor and party rental shop, which could help you check off that visit to a national park you’ve been meaning to explore. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go camping and roast marshmallows under a sky lit by stars so bright you feel like you could touch them? Hopefully, I have your planning wheels spinning, and you’ll spend your days making core memories. Until next time, y’all!

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of recreation and travel resources tailored to your needs.

Children posing in front of pumpkins at commissary

How To Find Healthy, Affordable Food as a Military Family

Written By Lizann Lightfoot

As the spouse of an enlisted Marine raising five children in high-cost-of-living Southern California, I quickly learned that groceries were going to be a major part of our household budget. On our first night checking into housing at Camp Pendleton, I went off base into Orange County to pick up ingredients for a simple pasta dinner with salad and garlic bread. When our ten items rang up over $100, I nearly cried. I later learned that I had made the rookie mistake of going to “the nice grocery store,” an expensive local chain known for organic produce and high-quality meat.

Over the next few years, I had to get creative to feed my growing family. Sure, I wanted to provide healthy meals and good nutrition. I also wanted to have money left in our account each time my husband got paid! It can be challenging to balance your food budget, but with some planning, it is possible to feed your family well without breaking the bank. Here are some strategies that have worked for my family and can help you maintain a healthy food budget.

  1. Shopping at the commissary. The motto of the commissary is, “It’s worth the trip!” If you live off base, going to the commissary might feel inconvenient, but the extra mileage is worth it to save on your weekly grocery bill. At our second duty station, when we lived in town, I often alternated between the national chain grocery store and the base commissary, filling a similar shopping cart at each location. The same food that cost me $100 per week at the commissary cost $20 more at the national chain — a 20% increase! This can lead to significant savings over time. While most military families know you must shop at a variety of stores to maximize all deals and coupons, commissaries do offer discounts on a range of items, from fresh produce to pantry staples. Make it a habit to do your primary grocery shopping at the commissary, taking advantage of special promotions.
  2. Buying in bulk. Another clear way to save money is by purchasing items in bulk from wholesale clubs. With locations nationwide, you can usually find one wherever you PCS. Memberships to these clubs can be a worthwhile investment, especially for non-perishable items, household goods, cleaning supplies and frequently used ingredients. Buying in bulk reduces your cost per item and ensures you won’t run out of essentials. This approach is particularly helpful for large families, like mine. We go once a month to stock up, then freeze or store what we can’t use immediately. Just make sure you have storage space in your tiny on-base quarters!
  3. Applying for WIC benefits. Many enlisted families are eligible for this government assistance program, especially if you are pregnant or have multiple children under 5 years old. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides vouchers for purchasing nutritious foods. This is not a military program, but you can often learn more at the base family center. If you qualify for WIC, you can use your vouchers at grocery stores or farmers markets, allowing you to buy healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and beans. These vouchers really helped us maximize nutrition on a budget!
  4. Planning ahead. No matter where you choose to shop, you can keep your grocery budget under control with meal planning. Before heading to the grocery store, I usually plan my meals for the week and create a shopping list based on those ingredients. I plan around proteins and veggies, so we get good variety. Sticking to the list helps me avoid impulse purchases so I only buy what I need. To really stretch your budget, look for store coupons or discounts on specific items and plan your menu around those.
  5. Being creative with free food. Sometimes, local charities or churches offer free food on base. While these donations are well-intentioned, they don’t always include healthy options. Try to supplement with nutritious items from your own shopping. For example, if you receive canned vegetables, consider using them in soups or stews with fresh ingredients to boost their nutritional value. Canned tuna can be added to salads or whole grain rolls for a healthy meal. Canned beans can be added to ground beef to make tacos go further.

Kitchen counter with food

Ultimately, feeding your family healthy, nutritious food on a budget requires an intentional effort. Use available resources, plan ahead and be open to new ideas.

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month, take the time to look at your food budget and explore new ways to provide your family with wholesome, affordable meals. Remember, you are not alone in this journey — many military families face similar challenges. Together, we can support each other in making healthy choices affordable for all.

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of health and wellness resources and tools tailored to your needs.

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