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Graduation Etiquette
Wow, how time flies when you are having fun! The big event is almost here and it is time to start thinking about graduation events. One of those many tasks is sending out announcements. Graduation is a formal event and there is a proper etiquette to sending out announcements. Below you will find some pointers to help you when putting together your graduation announcements:
- Announcements should arrive two weeks prior to the event.
- Announcements are accompanied by two envelopes to ensure that your guest will receive a pristine envelope regardless how tattered the exterior envelope may become in transit.
- The outer (gummed flap) envelope is the mailing envelope and should be addressed in black ink. It should be formal, with no abbreviation except in the title.
- The return address label can be placed in the top left hand corner of the envelope or on the flap.
- The inner envelope should be addressed informally using the name that you use (Brent, Rob and Donna, Grandmother, Uncle John).
- Children's names should be included on the inner envelope only.
To construct an announcement, first place your name card in the announcement, and may also include a senior picture or a graduation party invitation. Insert the announcement in the inner envelope with the face forward. If you have envelope seals, seal the envelope otherwise just close the flap. Last, place the inner envelope face forward in the outer envelope and seal the envelope. Make sure you use enough postage or you will end up with returned announcements. It is a good idea to take a completed announcement to the post office and have it weighed for the correct amount of postage.
Remember graduation announcements are sent to family and friends to inform them of this important time in your life. Announcements are not a request for a gift, and should only be sent to people who have an interest in you. If you do receive a gift make sure you send a hand written thank you note as soon as possible and no latter than one month after graduation. Other thank you note tips:
- Every gift, whether received by mail or in person, should be acknowledged with a thank you note.
- E-mail is not appropriate.
- Mention the gift specifically and express appreciation.
- When you receive money, do not mention the amount. Do mention how you plan to spend it.
- Avoid making thank you notes look like form letters by adding a personal reference to each one.
It is time to start planning to leave home!!!
Many of you will soon be packing your bags and leaving home for the first time. Before you begin packing, it will be beneficial to clean up and organize your room at home. Taking inventory of what you have will make it easier when planning what to take with you to college. For many of you, when you leave home in August, this will be the last time you will actually live in your parents' home. Yes, you may come home for visits during holidays and summer, but you will not be staying for long.
It can be overwhelming to think about what to take with you to college but, if you start planning now, by the time you leave in August you should have a good idea of what it is going to take to live on your own. Also, carefully read the housing information that you receive from your school to find out if there are any restrictions and what items are provided. Contact your new roommate(s) to discuss who is going to bring what. This will help prevent duplicate items. Remember dorm rooms are not very spacious, and in order to get all the stuff you need in your room, you must be well organized. Click on the article archives to see an extensive list, but not everything, that you will need to get started living on your own.
Student Aid Report
If you recently filed your FAFSA form you should have already or will soon receive what is called a Student Aid Report (SAR). You need to verify the information on your SAR using your original FAFSA form and financial documentation. It is extremely important that you retain your original financial documentation along with your FAFSA and SAR. From time to time, the Department of Education will do an audit to make sure students are reporting correct information and that moneys are being awarded fairly. Using the same past financial documentation will prevent inconsistencies and the likelihood of being audited. You may also have to go through a verification process at the school you attend. This will require you to provide the supporting documentation for the information on your FAFSA.
When you filled out your FAFSA you were able to designate up to six schools to receive your SAR information. If you would like for additional schools to have your SAR information, you can do one of the following to get that to the school:
- Go to FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Select "Make Corrections to a Processed FAFSA" and add more schools by submitting a correction to your FAFSA information.
- Give your Social Security number and Data Release Number (DRN) to the school so they can obtain an electronic version of your SAR.
- Photocopy your SAR and mail it.
- Write the school code on the SAR and mail it back to the US Department of Education and they will send an electronic copy to the school.
- Photocopy your SAR and mail it.
If you have not received your SAR within four weeks after filling your FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-4-FED-AID (800-433-3243).
