Resources & Events

The class of 2021 was admitted to 218 colleges and enrolled at 84 colleges and universities in 27 states, three countries, and Washington, DC. Included are Ivy League universities; NESCAC colleges and universities; large research universities; military academies; institutes of math, science & technology; colleges of art, design, and music; and liberal arts colleges.

Beginning with freshmen, class deans and advisors assist students in creating a four-year plan; students are encouraged to engage in coursework that challenges and readies them for the rigors of life after Tabor. Sophomores hear from college counselors during class meetings, and alongside their parents, they learn about components of the Tabor college process at Winter Family Weekend during a series of presentations made by counselors, college representatives, and a financial aid expert. Sophomores are also assigned college counselors during the spring. A program for junior parents takes place during Fall Family Weekend, including a college admission panel, a presentation on financial aid, and the opportunity to meet their child’s counselor.  The option for students to take diagnostic tests allows juniors to understand which is the better option -- ACT or SAT test prep.

From the start, parents are considered integral and important to the process. Whether a parent is hands-off and laid back or more interested in having a hand in decision-making, Tabor’s college counselors are eager to partner in a way that works for each family.

• A college counselor is assigned to each student at the end of their sophomore year.  

• Tabor is a test site for both the SAT and the ACT, eliminating the need to head off-campus. Diagnostic tests and test preparation classes are offered at no additional cost as part of a partnership with Method Test Prep. 

• College Mini Fairs are held on campus twice during the fall.

• Essay writing workshops and guidance from college representatives, English teachers, and college counselors are provided during junior spring and senior fall.  

• Mock interviews with college admissions representatives take place at Tabor during junior spring.  

• Cutting-edge programming during Fall and Winter Family Weekends keeps Tabor families up-to-date on college news and trends.

• Consistent access to college admissions representatives (via mini fairs and other visits to Tabor’s campus), programs during family weekends, and Tabor-specific programming represent the Tabor community’s excellent relationships with both American and international colleges and universities.

• Signed copies of the student’s and parents’ 2019 federal tax returns with all schedules and W2s. NOTE: If parents are divorced, a signed copy of the noncustodial parent’s 2019 federal tax return with all schedules and W2s is also necessary.
• For parents who are business owners, a copy of the most recent partnership or corporate tax return.

• Although the FAFSA cannot be filed until after October 1, it must be filed by the college’s deadline date.  Check the school’s financial aid web page for important filing deadlines; the Early Decision deadline is earlier than the Regular Decision deadline.  
• The FAFSA is used by all colleges to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your eligibility for federal and state aid, including subsidized student loans.  Most colleges also use the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for institutional aid.
• The FAFSA must be filed for every year the student is in school. Submit your FAFSA online. A FAFSA requires a signature from both a parent and the student applicant. There is no fee involved in filing the FAFSA and all families are encouraged to apply regardless of their family circumstances.  

Some private independent colleges require you to file a CSS Profile application--using your College Board username and password--or an institutional financial aid form to determine your eligibility for their own sources of financial aid. The CSS Profile can be completed as early as October (our colleagues at Smart Track recommend filing no earlier than October 10) and is available here. Make sure you understand if you need to file any additional forms and that you submit them by the school’s specified deadline.

Millions of dollars are available each year. Start your search online by visiting any of the scholarship websites included in Naviance; this includes local opportunities. Simply click the “Colleges” link and “Scholarships and Money” will appear at the bottom of the list. Use scholarship search tools to search for national scholarships (see below). Scholarships are a great way to help pay college tuition, books and living expenses and can reduce the amount you need to borrow. You should always maximize the amount of free money you use to pay for college before borrowing. Keep in mind that national scholarships are much more competitive and oftentimes much harder to attain than local scholarships. Even though the awarded amounts on national scholarships may be higher, you have a better chance of getting a scholarship from a local business or organization.

• After filing the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Correct any mistakes by logging into your student aid account. Also, add additional colleges where you would like your information to be sent.  
• The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) information on your SAR will be sent to the financial aid office at the colleges that you indicated on your FAFSA form. Each college then takes that amount and subtracts the EFC from their total cost of attendance. That figure is your family’s demonstrated financial need for that particular college. Financial need will be different for each college you apply to because each college’s total cost of education is different.

• Each college’s financial aid office then determines what aid it has available to help meet your demonstrated financial need. Schools will aim to meet as much of your need as possible, but not all schools can afford to meet 100% of your financial need. The financial aid office will put together a financial aid package or award letter for you. The aid may come in the form of grants, work-study, scholarships, and student loans.
• When your financial aid package arrives, read it over carefully. Decide if you want to accept any of or the entire award. Pay attention to the instructions the college gives you. You may have to complete additional paperwork to fully accept the award. Accepting your award by the college’s specified deadline will safeguard it. However, if the award does not fully meet your financial needs or if your needs have changed due to illness, unemployment or for some other reason, you can try appealing the award. You must include documentation that supports your request. Many colleges will take a second look at your package if asked.
• If you receive multiple financial aid packages, take note of which expenses are included in each college’s total cost of attendance when you compare. Also, pay attention to what kind of aid each school is offering your family. One college might meet a higher percentage of your need but may do so with a great proportion of loans. Some colleges with higher stickers prices may cost your family less in the long run due to a better net price.
• Your financial aid package may or may not cover your total financial need. If financial need is not entirely met, this unmet need is called a “gap.” This means that resources must be found in order to meet the full cost of education. In many cases, this may mean additional parent and/or student loans.

A college may include federal student loans on your award letter. If these loans are not listed on your award letter, you may still be eligible to borrow. To accept your federal loan awards, you will need to complete a Master Promissory Note.

www.cappex.com:  Scholarship database

www.fastweb.com:  Online resources to finding scholarships

Quick College Cost Estimator:  This calculator guides students through all the relevant questions toward their own, personalized, and clear estimated college cost.