Parent Resources
Parents and guardians play a vital role as allies in your child's education. Your involvement is key to their success. Discover how you can support their academic and personal growth with New Haven Promise.
Support Your Kindergarten-5th Grade Student
- Subscribe to the New Haven Promise newsletter and follow us on social media for news and valuable resources. See here.
- Help your student establish good attendance (no more than 18 absences per year).
- Foster a love for reading, writing, and math.
- Encourage your student to be a helper at home and in the community.
Support Your 6th-8th Grade Student
- Encourage your student to maintain a B average or above.
- Ensure consistent attendance throughout the school year.
- Get involved in your student’s community activities.
- Explore high school, college, and career options together.
- Make sure your student signs up for Promise by completing the Pledge Form in middle school. See Step One here.
Support Your 9th-12th Grade Student
- Stay living in New Haven and attending a New Haven public school throughout their high school career.
- Support your student in maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher (B average or above).
- Ensure good attendance and behavior (no more than 72 absences in high school).
- Make sure your student completes 40 hours of Promise-approved community service. See here.
- Ensure your student submits the New Haven Promise application between October 1st and December 23 of their senior year. See Step Two here.
- Ensure your student checks emails from New Haven Promise and understands their application status, community service status, etc.
- Attend FAFSA Connecticut college access workshops.
- Assist your student with the FAFSA application, including completing the parent section.
- Explore college options, the college application process, and career interests together.
- Help your student understand college costs and financial aid opportunities.
- Stay connected with other parents, educators, and community leaders.
New Haven Promise Info Card
(Click image to see larger version.)
Support Your Promise Scholar in College
- Understand that your adult Scholar is responsible for managing their own scholarship, and New Haven Promise cannot share their academic or financial information with parents.
- Ensure your Scholar returns the Acceptance and Release Form in the Promise award packet, completes the Promise MOU (rules and regulations document), and understands the scholarship timeline and renewal requirements.
- Make sure your Scholar checks emails from New Haven Promise regularly and keeps track of their Promise status.
- Ensure your Scholar contacts New Haven Promise with any questions.
- Encourage your Scholar to contact the college financial aid office to maximize their aid and offer financial assistance if you are able to.
- Support your Scholar in attending Promise events, such as the Scholar Celebration and the annual Internship, Job & Career Fair.
- Encourage your Scholar to maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher and get academic support at college if needed.
- Ensure your Scholar stays enrolled full-time or remains on track to graduate in a timely manner.
- Assist your Scholar with the FAFSA application every academic year, including completing the parent section.
- Help your Scholar explore career interests and utilize Promise as a resource for paid internships and career development opportunities.
- Help them take a long-term view on their career paths and focus on gaining career-relevant experience through Promise’s internship and career programs, rather than fixating on random gigs solely for money.
