Beware of False Claims

“For a small fee, we’ll give you a list of scholarships.”

• Never spend money on a fee-based matching service. The biggest and best award databases are free online.

“We’ll help you complete complicated forms.”

• Information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other forms is available for free from your guidance counselor, your library and the U.S. Department of Education. You still have to fill out the same basic information for a fee-based service that you would directly for the FAFSA.

• Your school financial aid administrator can help.

• For general financial aid or FAFSA-related questions, call 800-4-FED-AID (800-433-3243).

“You are guaranteed a minimum of $1000 in awards.”

• A service can’t guarantee any scholarships because they have no control over the scholarship judges’ decisions.

“We have a 96% success rate.”

• These false success rates indicate the percentage of students they’ve successfully matched with the database, NOT the number of students who actually receive money.

“We’ll need a bank account and pin or credit card number to verify your information.”

• A legitimate scholarship provider won’t ask for bank account, credit card or Social Security information.

“We will do all the work for you.”

• To win a legitimate scholarship, you must submit your own applications, write your own essays and solicit your own letters of recommendation.