Parent Email Templates

Subject: Preparing for College, Complete the FAFSA!

Dear [insert high school name] Senior Parents,

Welcome back to another school year! We hope you and your families had a wonderful summer filled with rest and rejuvenation. As we embark on the new academic year, we are excited about the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead for your high school seniors.

One of the key steps in ensuring a smooth transition to post-high school life is preparing for the next chapter, be it college or a career. To assist your students in this journey, we want to emphasize the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

The FAFSA is a crucial tool that helps determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. By completing the FAFSA, your student gains valuable insights into the financial support available to them, making their post-high school goals more achievable.

To kickstart this process, we will be hosting a FAFSA information session on [date and time]. This session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the FAFSA application process, address common questions and concerns, and equip your family with the resources needed to navigate this important step. Should you have any immediate questions or concerns, our guidance counselor, [Counselor's Name], is available at [Counselor's Email] or [Counselor's Phone Number].

We are excited about supporting your high school senior on their journey beyond high school and helping them achieve their post-secondary goals. Here's to a successful and rewarding academic year!

Best regards,

[Name]

Subject: Need Help Applying for College or Financial Aid? Ready, Set, FAFSA!

Dear [insert high school name] Senior Parents,

It is College Knowledge Month in Minnesota! This month, our focus is on providing dedicated support to ensure 100% of our seniors have the opportunity to apply for college and financial aid this year, regardless of whether they are certain about their plans after graduation.

To assist your senior and your families in this process, The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and others have organized a series of one hour long, virtual events on Tuesdays in October called Ready, Set, FAFSA! Register here!

Session #1: Apply to College Tuesday, October 1, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.

Session #2: Understand Financial Aid Tuesday, October 8, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.

Session #3: Create Your FSA ID Tuesday, October 15, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.

Session #4: Scholarship Search Tuesday, October 22, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.

These sessions will cover tips on applying to college, general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students, and other ways to pay for college. If you or your senior are not able to attend these sessions, you can also find the recordings here.

We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that all our seniors have the resources and support they need to pursue their post-high school goals.

Best regards,

[Name]

Subject: Need Help Applying for College or Financial Aid? Ready, Set, FAFSA!

Dear [insert high school name] Senior Parents,

As we step into November, it's a crucial time to ensure your senior is progressing in the college application process and financial aid readiness. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is set to launch on December 1st! This is a fantastic opportunity for your student to access financial aid and make their college dreams more affordable and attainable.

If your senior hasn't already, now is the perfect time to have them complete their college application and create an FSA ID. This ID grants access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), providing valuable insights into available financial aid options like the Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant, and the new North Star Promise which can significantly reduce or even eliminate the cost of tuition at a Minnesota college or university for many students.

To further assist seniors and their families in navigating the financial aid process, [School Name] is hosting a [FSA ID/FAFSA Completion] Night on [date] at [time].

Knowledgeable staff will be available to guide you through the process and address any questions you may have. For immediate questions or concerns, feel free to contact [Counselor's Name] at [Counselor's Email] or [Counselor's Phone Number].

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we support our seniors on their journey beyond high school. We look forward to seeing you at [FSA ID/FAFSA Completion] Night in November!

Best regards,

[Name]

Dear [insert high school name] Senior Parents,

Happy December! We are thrilled to inform you that the new simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year is now available! This is a pivotal opportunity for your high school senior to take a significant step toward making their college education more affordable. You can find a link to the FAFSA here.

To ensure that seniors and their families have all the support they need in completing the FAFSA, [School Name] is hosting a FAFSA/DREAM Act Completion Night on [Date] from [Time] at [Location]. This event is designed to guide families through the application process, answer any questions, and ensure that no senior misses out on a single dollar of the financial aid they qualify for. Attending this FAFSA Completion Night is crucial for those who are planning on attending college.

If you or your student have any preliminary questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our [Counselor/Contact Person] at [Contact Email/Phone Number]. We want to make sure 100% of our seniors complete the FAFSA so they know what postsecondary options are available to them and we need your help to do that.

Warm regards,

[Name]

Dear [insert high school name] Senior Parents,

Your student’s high school career is only months from ending. The last four years have surely been challenging and rewarding as your student has progressed academically and personally toward graduation day. Hopefully your student’s post-graduation plans will provide exciting new experiences and opportunities.

With the stresses of the college application process behind you, you and your student are most likely in the midst of playing the waiting game. You’re waiting to hear back from schools, waiting to hear back from scholarships or recruiters and possibly trying to figure out how to afford it all. We understand that navigating the college financial aid process can be overwhelming, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

[School Name] is hosting a FAFSA Completion Night on [Date] from [Time] at [Location]. This event is designed to guide families through the application process, answer any questions, and ensure that no senior misses out on a single dollar of the financial aid they qualify for. You can find the FAFSA here.

We hope to see you and your senior there. In the meantime, if you or your senior have any questions about college, financial aid, or if they are still trying to figure out what to do after graduation, feel free to contact [Counselor's Name] at [Counselor's Email] or [Counselor's Phone Number]. 

Warm regards,

[Name]