Authentication Merge Fields – Finalsite Enrollment

Overview

Merge fields, also known as tokens, can be used to pull dynamic information from contacts in Finalsite Enrollment into various parts of the system. To learn more about the various uses for merge fields, click here.

Authentication codes and links are used to link a student's record/checklist to a Parent Portal Account. By using authentication merge fields, you can easily send communications to parents/guardians, letting them know how to authenticate and log into their accounts to access their student's checklist.

How-To: Use Authentication Merge Fields

Merge fields can be added to a template through the Merge Field Picker or by typing/copying them directly into the template's body. Learn more in our 'How to Pull in Dynamic Information' section here.

Below are some of the key authentication-related merge fields available to you:

Verification Link

Pulls in the unique authentication link for the recipient, so that they can click to link their Parent Portal Account to the associated student. This token will render a clickable link once sent. Please note that this token uses recipient instead of contact since the verification link is for the parent/guardian and not the student.

Category: Recipient
Merge Field: {{recipient.verification_link}}
Example: http://demo.schooladminonline.com/portal/authenticate/cd7y1y1

Please note: this merge token should not be hyperlinked. It should always be inserted using the merge token picker tool rather than copying/pasting it. Hyperlinking the token could cause it to malfunction.

Authentication Code

Pulls in the unique authentication code for the recipient, so they can copy and paste it into the Parent Portal (after clicking 'Enter authentication code') to link their Parent Portal Account to the associated student. Please note that this token uses recipient instead of contact since the authentication code is for the parent/guardian and not the student.

Category: Recipient
Merge Field: {{recipient.authentication_code}}
Example: cd7y1y1

Parent Portal URL

This populates the direct link to your school's Parent Portal login page. This token will render a clickable link once sent.

Category: School
Merge Field: {{school.parent_portal_url}}
Example: https://demo.schooladminonline.com/portal

Portal Email

Pulls in the authenticated portal email for the recipient, if one exists. This token is useful for emailing parents/guardians - you can display the email address they used to create their account, in case they forget or if it's different from their contact email. Please note that this token uses recipient instead of contact since the portal email refers to the parent/guardian and not the student.

Category: Recipient
Merge Field: {{recipient.portal_email}}
Example: shelly.miller@gmail.com

Parent 1 Name

Pulls in the name of the person listed as Parent 1 for the selected contact. This is useful if you want to email consultants, but include the parent's name. Example: The authentication code for {{contact.parent1.name}} is {{contact.parent1.authentication_code}}. Please note that this token is not available in the merge token picker - you must enter it manually.

Category: N/A - Manual Entry
Merge Field: {{contact.parent1.name}}
Example: Shelly Miller

Parent 2 Name

Pulls in the name of the person listed as Parent 2 for the selected contact. This is useful if you want to email consultants, but include the parent's name. Example: The authentication code for {{contact.parent2.name}} is {{contact.parent2.authentication_code}}. Please note that this token is not available in the merge token picker - you must enter it manually.

Category: N/A - Manual Entry
Merge Field: {{contact.parent2.name}}
Example: Mitchell Miller

Parent 1 Authentication Code

Pulls in the authentication code for the person listed as Parent 1 for the selected contact. This is useful if you want to email consultants, but include the parent's authentication code. Example: The authentication code for {{contact.parent1.name}} is {{contact.parent1.authentication_code}}. Please note that this token is not available in the merge token picker - you must enter it manually.

Category: N/A - Manual Entry
Merge Field: {{contact.parent1.authentication_code}}
Example: cd7y1y1

Parent 2 Authentication Code

Pulls in the authentication code for the person listed as Parent 2 for the selected contact. This is useful if you want to email consultants, but include the parent's authentication code. Example: The authentication code for {{contact.parent2.name}} is {{contact.parent2.authentication_code}}. Please note that this token is not available in the merge token picker - you must enter it manually.

Category: N/A - Manual Entry
Merge Field: {{contact.parent2.authentication_code}}
Example: 2cf4f010

Examples for Communication Templates

As mentioned above, the authentication merge fields are useful for crafting communications (e.g. emails) to your applying or enrolling families, so that you can instruct them how to successfully navigate and log in to the Parent Portal.

Parent Portal Access/Login Information

Your Parent Portal Account Login Email: {%if recipient.portal_email != blank%}{{recipient.portal_email}}

- If this email address is incorrect or if you would like to change it: Please contact us directly so we can update it for you.

- If you forgot your login password: Click on the “Forgot your password?” link on the Parent Portal Login Page and enter the email address above to receive a password reset email.

{%else%}Not yet created - please go here and create an account.{%endif%}

This example uses a logic statement (in Liquid) to output different text depending on whether the recipient already authenticated their Parent Portal Account or not.

If the recipient's account is authenticated (i.e. their Portal Email is not blank), they will see the bullet points starting with "If this email address is incorrect..." and "If you forgot your login password..."

If the recipient's account is not authenticated (i.e. their Portal Email is blank), they will see the message "Not yet created - please go here and create an account."

Use the {{school.parent_portal_url}} token as the URL for the words "go here" to provide an easy way for the recipient to click through to your school's Parent Portal.

Authentication Email to Consultant

Dear {{recipient.first_name}},

Below, you will find the information to authenticate the Parent Portal Account(s) for the parent/guardian(s) of {{contact.first_name}}.

Parent/Guardian 1
Name: {{contact.parent1.name}}
Authentication Code: {{contact.parent1.authentication_code}}

{%if contact.parent2.name != blank%}
Parent/Guardian 2
Name: {{contact.parent2.name}}
Authentication Code: {{contact.parent2.authentication_code}}
{%endif%}

Select Consultants from the recipient options when sending this email.

This message addresses the Consultant by first name. The token {{contact.first_name}} will pull in the first name of the associated student.
The name and authentication code for Parent/Guardian 1 will be pulled in first.
If there is a Parent/Guardian 2 (i.e. if the name field for Parent2 is not blank), their name and authentication code will be pulled in after that.

General Link to Parent Portal

The Parent Portal is where you can access any pending checklist items for {{school.long_name}} - click here to go there now.

Use the {{school.parent_portal_url}} token as the URL for the words "click here" or "Parent Portal" to provide an easy way for the recipient to click through to your school's Parent Portal.

Additional Resources