Boosting Parent Involvement: Strategies for TRIO Education Advisors

Without parental involvement, the chances of TRIO students succeeding drops drastically. Add parental effort and their prospects improve.

A study by the Journal of Student Success and Retention showed that students with highly involved parents experienced higher levels of educational gains and satisfaction.?

And it makes sense. Higher education can be an overwhelming experience for many, especially low-income and first-generation students. They need all the support they can get, especially from their parents.

But many well-meaning parents don’t know how to help because they have never navigated the system. This is where you, as an education advisor, play a key role.

You already do an amazing job bridging that gap through parents’ workshops and providing helpful resources, but these 5 cost-effective strategies can further help boost parental engagement:

1. Parent Learning Pods

Sometimes the best way to learn is together. Virtual parent learning pods can bring TRIO families together to share experiences and learn the ins and outs of the college and financial aid process.?

You can host these groups on free platforms like Google Meet or Slack , offering expert Q&A sessions that help parents feel supported without the hassle of attending in-person meetings.

Best time to implement: Junior year to give parents ample time to navigate the college application and financial aid processes.?

2. Personalized Parent Portals

For parents unfamiliar with the college application process, parent portals like California State University's Beach Family Portal will make a difference. By simplifying it for TRIO families, you’re giving parents a direct line of communication, updates on academics and campus events, information about financial aid and deadlines—all the resources to stay informed and actively support their child’s education.

Consider leveraging pre-built portals or tech-savvy interns from local colleges to help modify existing school platforms.

Best time to implement: During the student’s freshman year or pre-college summer program, so that parents can familiarize themselves with the tool before their child’s college journey begins.

3. AI-Powered Parent Support

Parents often need answers. Instead of keeping them until business hours, an AI-powered assistant can offer instant, accurate answers on college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid. With platforms like Botpress , you can set up this tool without stretching your budget.

Best time to implement: Junior year or during pre-college summer programs when parents are looking into college admissions and financial aid.?

4. Augmented Reality Campus Tours

Many families, especially those from low-income or rural areas, don’t have the time or resources to visit college campuses. You can collaborate with colleges or use budget-friendly platforms like Blippar , to offer Augmented reality (AR) tours.?

This allows parents to explore campuses on their smartphones, learn about facilities, and ask questions, empowering them to support their child’s college choice.

Best time to implement: Junior or senior year during the college search and decision phase.

5. Parent-Student Challenge Programs

What if applying for college and financial aid could be more fun and less stressful? With tools like Google Forms, you can create gamified activities where parents and students collaborate and learn together.?

For example, one week could focus on scholarship searches, where both parties compete to find the most opportunities using resources like Imagine Scholarships , a platform with over 10,000 scholarships. These challenges will not only make the process fun but also ensure that both parents and students are fully engaged.?

Best time to implement: The summer before junior year, when students begin focusing on college applications and financial aid.

Parent engagement isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential. When parents are actively involved, students gain confidence, achieve more, and feel supported every step of the way.?

As an education advisor, you're their best bet. Continue finding ways to empower their parents because when they succeed, your students do too.?