$3.75 billion in free college money goes unclaimed every year

Dear Da Vinci Families,

Here’s a number that stops parents in their tracks: $3.75 billion in free college aid goes unclaimed every year.

Not because families don’t need it.
Not because they didn’t save.
But because 40% of eligible students never file the FAFSA, often assume they won’t qualify.

Even families earning over $ 100,000 frequently qualify for aid. But they never find out because they skip the application entirely. Meanwhile, 76% of students say financial aid is the #1 factor in choosing which college to attend. Research shows that just $5,000 in additional aid is enough to prompt nearly half of students to switch schools.

That’s not chump change. But most families leave it on the table. Not because they lack intelligence. Not because they’re lazy. But because they lack a strategy. Most families treat college planning like an emergency, scrambling when acceptance letters arrive, reacting to financial aid offers they don’t understand, and hoping it all works out.

But what if you could approach your family’s financial future the way a CFO approaches a business plan? Strategic. Proactive. In control.

Introducing: The Da Vinci Family CFO Training Series

I invite you to a FREE, 6-workshop series designed to help you shift from financial stress to financial clarity. Whether you have a kindergartner or a senior, this series will provide you with the frameworks, tools, and confidence to make smarter decisions about retirement, college savings, investing, and long-term wealth.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Workshop 1 (Feb 5): Money Story & CFO Mindset: Identify limiting beliefs and adopt a strategic decision-making framework
Workshop 2 (Feb 26): Retirement Planning Essentials: Secure your oxygen mask first (401k, IRA, Roth strategies)
Workshop 3 (March 19): 529 Mastery: Maximize tax advantages and avoid costly mistakes
Workshop 4 (April 16): Balancing Priorities: Navigate competing goals with the CFO Decision Filter
Workshop 5 (May 7): Investment Fundamentals: Demystify investing and match strategies to your timeline
Workshop 6 (May 21): Personal Financial Roadmap: Create your customized action plan

Why This Series?

This isn’t theory. This isn’t a sales pitch. This is practical, actionable training you can use immediately.

You’ll walk away with:

A clear financial roadmap tailored to your family
Confidence to make smarter money decisions
Community with other Da Vinci families on the same journey
Peace of mind that you’re setting your kids up for success

Workshop Details:

Dates: Every 3 weeks, Thursdays from Feb-May 2026
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: Da Vinci Schools Campus/3rd floor, room 3203 (in-person)
Cost: FREE

Seats are limited.

This series is designed for any Da Vinci parent who wants to take control of their family’s financial future, whether you’re just starting to save or already investing. You don’t need to attend all 6 workshops (though I recommend it for maximum impact). Each one builds on the last, but you can join where it makes sense for your family.

I’ve worked with over 1000 families on college planning, FAFSA strategy, and financial literacy. I’ve seen firsthand how the right information at the right time can save families tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars.

My goal? Help 1 million families think like CFOs, starting with ours here at Da Vinci.

Let’s do this together.

See you on February 5th.

Christopher Jackson
College & Career Readiness Teacher, Da Vinci Communications
Founder, FinLit Garden
cjackson@davincischools.org
cjackson@finlitgarden.co