There are hundreds, if not thousands, of legitimate websites where you can find comprehensive information about scholarships and financial aid. However, there are websites and organizations that are scams and will take your money and run! Here’s what to look for…
- Organizations or websites that charge a fee to apply for a scholarship
- Financial aid seminars that are a high pressure sales pitch and require you to purchase a product or service before beginning
- Scholarships that are on a first come, first served basis
- Sites that claim to have special influence or an “in” to a scholarship sponsor
- Organizations that do not have a listed phone number, or the address is a mail drop (not to be confused with a P.O. Box)
- Sites that guarantee you will find or receive a scholarship
- Scholarships that are not solicited (e.g. direct mail, spam, etc.)
- Organizations that promise someone will do the work for you
- Sites that request an up-front fee
- Scholarships that ask you to respond in a week, or will refund your money
- Organizations that require you to purchase a product or service before you can access their website or database
- Scholarships that indicate everyone is eligible to apply
- Sites that request personal information up front (e.g. social security number, driver’s license, checking account, etc.)
- Organizations that claim they will notify you of your status by phone
When is a scholarship guarantee fraudulent?
- When the organizations guarantee you will win a scholarship
- When the guarantees are loaded with too many conditions and restrictions
- When requirements are not detailed in writing or up-front
- When guarantees are deceptive or misleading
- When the company does not honor the guarantee
- When guarantees give an expectation of success or the impression that there’s no risk
If you find a scholarship website or come in contact with a scholarship organization that does not appear to be legitimate, you can report them to the following organizations…
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