Scholarship & Financial Aid Information

Scholarship Safety

The Student Guide to Scholarship Application Safety

Quick Overview:

Scholarships are gifts of money from various institutions that are to be used for educations.

Unfortunately, scholarship scams exist and further reading could be read in the article, The Student Guide to Scholarship Application Safety (above).  Below are the 7 most common (Be skeptical if these present themselves to you):

• 1. "The Scholarship Sweepstakes"

  2. Scholarship Application Fee-Don't pay for a scholarship...ever

  3. Scholarship Matching Services and Websites

  4. The "Payment Due" Scholarship

  5. Scholarship Seminars

  6. Financial Aid Filing Service

  7. Financial Aid Taxes Due 

Tell-Tale Signs of a Scholarship Scam (If you see or hear these or a variation of these don't apply):

• "The Scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."

• "You can't get this information anywhere else."

• "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."

• "We'll do all the work. You just pay a processing fee."

• "The scholarship will cost some money."

• "You've been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship"

• "You're a finalist."-even though you've never entered that contest.

Other Warning Signs:

• • No evidence that the sponsor exists

  • The scholarship has an entry fee

  • Judging requirements are not clearly defined

Last tips in applying for scholarships:

• • Make sure its a "secure" site

  • If you have an uneasy or unsure feeling...don't apply

    • Or call a contact...if you can't find one, don't apply