Family Engagement: A Key to College Retention

How Family Engagement Boosts College Student Retention

Student retention has always been a priority, but with evolving higher education challenges and declining enrollment, its importance is greater than ever. Institutions now recognize the critical role families play in student success. Research shows that when parents are actively engaged, students are more likely to persist and graduate. Strengthening family involvement not only enhances academic outcomes but also fosters a supportive environment, ultimately improving retention rates and ensuring long-term institutional success.

Family Engagement and Student Retention: Key Insights from a 2025 Study

A 2025 CampusESP study of 11,442 first-year students across 10 universities found that students with engaged parents had 5.7% higher retention rates on average, with some institutions seeing increases from 1.4% to 20.9%.

The reason? Informed families become better advisors. Nearly 50% of students talk to their parents daily, and 99% connect weekly. With students seeking guidance from home, families need accessible resources to support them.

Katy Lowe-Schneider, Associate Provost for Student Outcomes at Hanover College, highlighted this challenge:

“At Hanover, we realized one major barrier to student success was how difficult we made it for parents to access essential information to support their students.”

The solution? A centralized information hub and streamlined access to FERPA-protected student data, empowering families to play an active role in student success.

How Family Engagement Boosts Retention for Underrepresented Students”

Family engagement plays a crucial role in boosting student retention, particularly among Black, Hispanic, and Pell-eligible students. A 2025 CampusESP study analyzing 11,442 first-year students across ten universities found that Black and Hispanic students experienced a 6.3% increase in retention, compared to 1.8% for White students. Additionally, Pell-eligible students saw a 6.1% retention gain when their families were actively engaged in their academic journey.

The reason? Families act as key support systems. Nearly 50% of students talk with their parents daily, and 99% connect weekly. For first-generation and low-income students, families often provide the guidance they need to navigate college life. When parents are kept informed about student progress, deadlines, and financial obligations, they can help prevent barriers like missed tuition payments or registration holds.

Maria Gonzales, Director of Parent/Family Engagement at Roane State Community College, emphasizes the importance of keeping families in the loop:

“By reminding families about holds or bills, they can play a direct role in helping students stay enrolled and continue their education.”

A centralized information hub and accessible FERPA-protected student data empower families to support their students effectively. By making it easier for families to engage, institutions can significantly improve retention rates and student success.

Secure and Positive Student Information Sharing: Balancing Privacy and Support

Protecting student privacy while ensuring family support is crucial. 61% of parents admit to having their student’s college IDs and passwords, highlighting the need for secure, structured access to FERPA-protected information.

With parent-initiated digital permission waivers, institutions can provide families with secure, scalable access while allowing students to control which records are shared. This ensures privacy while enabling families to support their students effectively.

Dr. John Jones, Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, clarifies FERPA’s true purpose:

“FERPA is not a weapon, a sword, or a shield. It’s a process that protects student information while ensuring the right people have access when needed.”

By offering families timely, relevant information, institutions can build a supportive network that empowers students to stay on track, overcome challenges, and succeed in their academic journey.

Bridging the Gap: Empowering Families to Support Student Success”

“It bridges the gap between students and their support systems, providing easy access to critical information,” said Ashlee Pollard, Ed.D., Director of Student Solutions & Momentum Center at the University of West Georgia. “By creating opportunities for families to engage in their student’s success, we ensure they can support students at every step of their academic journey.”

This approach fosters a collaborative environment, enhancing student retention and overall success by keeping families informed and actively involved in their student’s education.