Welcome Parents and Families

Here, you will find helpful resources to help you and your student navigate the college journey at Lake Forest.

I have a question — who should I contact?

First, review the FAQs listed on this page. If you still have a question, please contact the appropriate email address below.

Admissions: admissions@lakeforest.edu
Student Billing and Payment: studentaccounts@lakeforest.edu
Financial Aid: finaid@lakeforest.edu
Internships and Careers: careers@lakeforest.edu
Other Questions: parents@lakeforest.edu

Academic Calendar Admitted Students New Student Orientation

Parents

Are you a member of the Lake Forest College Parent and Family Facebook page? Join other parents as they share information and tips for parenting Foresters. Request membership here.

Parent and Family Facebook page

Collective Impact

Last fiscal year, nearly one in seven current parents made a gift to the Forester Fund. Parents continue stepping forward in greater numbers each year, showing how deeply families believe in the Forester experience. Track the donor progress for your student's class year—collectively, we can exceed last year's totals and show the strength of the Forester Family.

Class of 2026 Parents

18 Donors

Class of 2027 Parents

19 Donors

Class of 2028 parents

19 Donors

Class of 2029 parents

31 Donors

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents

How can my student travel to and from Chicago O'Hare Airport?

Ubers and Lyfts are available to take individually or with a friend and can be scheduled in advance.
American Taxi and Windy City Limousine travel from Lake Forest to O'Hare and are available to book ahead of time.
Pay a fellow student who has a car for a ride to the airport.

For additional information about transportation, click here.

How can I send my student a gift on campus?

For those with a sweet tooth: We have several delicious bakeries near campus to order from if your student has a sweet tooth: Blissful Brownies, Hungry Monkey, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and even our own Lake Forest Dining Hall.
Send them flowers: Lake Forest Flowers, Konradt's Florist and Flowers by Laura Lou are great options for sending your student a beautiful bouquet.
Gifts can be addressed to:
First Name Last Name
Lake Forest College
Mohr Student Center - Mailing Services
555 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045

For more information about Mailing Services, click here.

How can my students receive groceries on campus?

Jewel Osco, Mariano's, Walmart, Target, and Instacart are available for grocery delivery. When delivering directly to a dorm, include detailed delivery instructions. Students may have to meet the delivery driver at the front door.
For the most reliable delivery service, have groceries sent to your student via Mailing Services. Groceries should be addressed to your student as follows:
First Name Last Name
Lake Forest College
Mohr Student Center - Mailing Services
555 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Once delivered, your student can pick up their groceries from Mailing Services in Mohr Student Center, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please remind your student to pick up their items promptly after they receive the delivery notification.

How can I support my student during their studies?

Be supportive: Send them encouraging text messages, be vocal about your support, and remind them they are capable of anything they set their mind to.
Remind them to maintain healthy habits: It may be hard for them to not pull all-nighters or remember to eat full meals, but sleep and nutrition are more important than ever when stressed.

What resources are available to enhance my student's safety?

The SafeForester app is available for students and parents to download. The app is designed to enhance campus security, emergency communication, and individual protection. Please note: Because parents will register with a non-Lake Forest College email address, the app's full functionality will not be available.
SafeForester features an emergency call button, safety timer (virtual escort), anonymous tip report, campus alerts and notifications, and quick access to resources.

For more information about SafeForester and other apps for students, click here.

Save the Date: 2026 Forester Day is Thursday, February 26

Forester Day is the College's annual day of giving and a celebration of everyone who is part of our community.

On Forester Day, hundreds of Foresters—alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends around the world—come together to celebrate the Forester Family and give back to Lake Forest College. Stay tuned for information on how you can get involved.

Save the Dates: 2026 Homecoming and Family Weekend

Mark your calendars for two annual celebrations at the College next fall! We can't wait to welcome you to the Forest to make memories with your student.

2026 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend: Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3
2026 Family Weekend: Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25

Everything parents need to know about their college student's first year

It's natural to feel concerned about how your child will adjust to college life an dhow you can best support them. We put together a guide to help you navigate your college student's first year with confidence. There are many ways parents can support their students from afar, from academic resources and understanding what your child's college offers to mental health support and encouraging independence.

Learn More

Parent Portal

The Parent Portal at Lake Forest College gives families online access to a student’s information so they are kept informed of their activities at the College. In order to gain access, your student must grant you access.

Parent Portal