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Power of Attorney

Get a Power of Attorney. A power of attorney means that you grant someone the ability to make financial and other descions for you while you are abroad. It is very important as we know students who have had a lot of difficulties dealing with their banks and have also lost their financial aid because they didn’t have someone to fill out their forms while they were gone.

A Power of Attorney is something that should be taken very seriously. It should only be issued for the dates you will be gone and should end upon your return. Consult your university’s legal services for more information.

From the University of Minnesota’s Website:

“Many students who are studying, working, or traveling abroad appoint a trusted person to take care of their personal, business, and financial affairs while they are out of the country. The Learning Abroad Center recommends that all students, especially financial aid students, arrange for a Power of Attorney. Some instances when a Power of Attorney may be necessary are:

    • Completing financial aid paperwork
    • Handling issues related to deposit of financial aid checks
    • Processing banking transactions, including checks made payable to you and the University of Minnesota
    • Processing insurance transactions
What are the steps to assigning a Power of Attorney? Granting a Power of Attorney is a legal process that involves the drafting of a document which assigns to another person the power to act as your legal representative (Attorney in Fact) in specific situations. There are two ways to go about assigning Power of Attorney.

  1. The first is to make an appointment with an attorney or other type of legal service to draft a Power of Attorney document. This may require a fee which will cover advice on the legal implications of assigning Power of Attorney, the drafting of a Power of Attorney document, and the notarizing of that document. If you are a University of Minnesota Twin Cities student, the University Student Legal Services (USLS) usually does not charge. If you are a student from another college, check with your home institution to find out if you have legal services available to you.
  2. The second approach does not require a lawyer’s assistance and involves purchasing a generic Power of Attorney form from an office supply store, filling it out yourself, and then having your signature(s) notarized. Since granting Power of Attorney is a legal process with serious implications, the Learning Abroad Center strongly recommends that you seek legal advice before drafting a Power of Attorney document.

Note: If someone is currently taking care of your financial paperwork, this does not mean they have Power of Attorney. It may only be granted by completing the legal document with a notarized signature. Who should I ask to be my Attorney in Fact? You should select a person you consider trustworthy to make decisions in your best interests and sign on your behalf. Most students select a parent, long-term significant other, or long-term friend. A casual acquaintance is not recommended. Staff in study abroad offices should not be asked to act on your behalf as it may be considered a conflict of interest. What type of Power of Attorney form do I need? There are several types of Power of Attorney forms. Students usually only need to complete the statutory short form, as you will most likely limit the powers granted and the duration.”