Channels & control

WhatsApp Templates

WhatsApp only lets you send a free-form message within 24 hours of a student’s last message. To reach them after that, you use a template — a message format Meta has reviewed and approved in advance.

When you need a template

Following up with a student who went quiet more than a day ago
Telling someone their application was received or their offer is in
Reminding a student about a deadline or a document

Within the 24-hour window, none of this needs a template — you just type normally.

The screen

Pick the WhatsApp number you are managing templates for at the top. Below you see your templates and their review status, plus a set of ready-made templates for study abroad you can use as a starting point.

Creating a template

Name it
A lowercase identifier like application_received.
Choose a category
Utility — an update on something the student started (an application, an offer). Marketing — promotions and offers.
Pick a language
The language the message body is written in.
Write the body
Use {{1}}, {{2}} and so on for the parts that change per student — for example Hi {{1}}, we received your application for {{2}}. Provide a sample value for each.
Add buttons (optional)
Quick-reply buttons, a link, or a call button.
Submit for review
Meta reviews it — usually within a few minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours.

Review status

Pending: Submitted, waiting on Meta.
Approved: Ready to use.
Rejected: Meta declined it — usually wording that reads as spam or a category mismatch. Adjust and resubmit.

Keep templates honest and specific

Templates tied to something the student actually did (“your application”, “your offer”) are approved quickly and rarely trigger complaints. Generic blasts are more likely to be rejected or to hurt your number’s health.