What's Legit and What's Not?
Ask yourself these questions when trying to decide.
A legitimate scholarship sponser or service:
A scholarship scammer: |
| · Sends information about awards when you request it. |
· Will offer and award for which you did not apply. |
| · Makes contact information available upon request it. |
· Does not release the company's contact information. |
| · Does not guarantee you will win an award. |
· Guarntees you win an award. |
| · Knows that financial aid information is free and readily available in financial aid offices, libraries and on the Internet. |
· Requires personal financial information (such as credit card numbers or checking account numbers) to "verify" or "hold" a scholarship. |
Phony Claims You Might Hear
"For a small fee, we'll give you a comprehensive list of schorarships for which you're eligible."
Never spend money on a fee-based matching service. The biggest and best award databases are available for free on the Internet, including FastWeb.
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Financial Aid Advisors: Friend of Foe?
While most advisors want to help, a few look to take advantage of unsuspecting students. Here are some tips to make sure you get a qualified professional: |
"6.6 billion in scholarahip money went unclaimed last year."
Statements about unclaimed awards are misleading, generally referring to tuition reimbursements that aren't available to the public anyway. In general, scholarships are competitive and most awards do get dispersed. |
Talk to your guidance counselor's office.They may be able to tll you they've had trouble with any consultant in particular.
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"You are guaranteed a minimum of $1,000 in awards."
A servuce can't guarntee what you'll recieve because they have no control over the decisions of the scholarship judges.
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Consider the advisor's qulifications.Try to find a consultant who has worked in a university financial aid office or is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
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"We hve a 96% sucess rate"
These false sucess rates indicate the percentage of students they've successfully matched with the database, NOT the number of students who actuall recieve money.
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Neveruse a consultant who encourages you to do somethin unethical , such as lying about yor assets.If you falsify financial aid forms, you can end up paying a big fine - or in jail.
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