Please contact me should you need any assistance, it is never too early or late to start planning your child's future.
Your middle school student is learning every day, exploring new activities, and building friendships. Middle school students are curious—about the world around them and what their future holds. They are also becoming unique individuals and developing their own likes and interests. As parents, you can support their learning and prepare for the future by getting them ready for higher education and the workforce.
Here are some things you can do to support your child’s schooling and future.
Encourage your child to take challenging classes. Create a distraction-free study space and encourage good study habits.
Talk to your child about how their interests may relate to a job, and what kind of school or training they would need to have for that job.
Share information about how you manage money including budgeting for monthly expenses and paying for big-ticket items.
Play Claim Your Future (link on their page), a game that encourages kids to explore education after high school, future careers, and money management, with your child.
Invest in your child's future
Start a college fund or savings account and make regular contributions.
Encourage family and friends to contribute to the college fund when gift-giving.
Talk to your child about how your family will pay for higher education. You can research and compare college costs using the Net Price Calculator. It will give you a good idea of what a school will cost YOUR child to attend.
Adapted from FAME Education, (2021). Finance Authority of Maine. https://www.fame-education.com/middle-school-education-tips/
HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS
Now is the time to make important decisions with your child. Although they have their own skillset, values, abilities, and interests they still need you to guide them to make the best choices for their future.
Encourage your child to take challenging classes.
Create a distraction-free study space and encourage good study habits.
Take advantage of extended learning opportunities offered through school, clubs, or community groups as a cost-effective way of enriching education.
Help your student think about their interests and consider how those interests may relate to a career.
Explore options available at a career & technical school. Career & technical education centers provide technical skills with hands-on training.
Play Claim Your Future(link on their page), a game that encourages students to explore education after high school, future careers, and money management, with your student.
Visit colleges, universities, or trade schools with your student.
Talk to your child about what your family can afford for higher education.
File the FAFSA as soon after October 1 in senior year as possible.
Encourage family and friends to give the gift of education by making contributions to your student’s college fund.
Adapted from FAME Education, (2021). Finance Authority of Maine. https://www.fame-education.com/high-school-education-tips/