Avoid Scholarship Scams

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are unscrupulous companies that guarantee or promise scholarships, grants or fantastic financial aid packages. Many use high pressure sales pitches at seminars where students are required to pay immediately or risk losing out on the "opportunity."

Avoid Scholarship Scams

The FTC cautions students to look and listen for these tell-tale lines:

  • "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."
  • "The scholarship will cost some money."
  • "You've been selected" by a "national foundation" to receive a scholarship - or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

The FindTuition website is "Built on Trust" and doesn't guarantee that any student will be awarded a scholarship. Scholarship awards are granted based on the eligibility requirements established by each individual scholarship sponsor. FindTuition offers one of the largest FREE scholarship searches on the internet. By using technology and superior search engines we can match scholarships with students. But it is the student's job to win the award.

Some rules you should always follow to avoid scholarship scams:

Knowing these warning signs can keep you from being a scholarship scam victim.

  1. Charges: There should be no fees or financial information needed to search or apply for scholarships. There are plenty of free scholarships out there two being: FindTuition.com and CareersandColleges.com
  2. We Do All the Work: Sorry, but it is up to you to work for those scholarships.
  3. No Contact Information: Scholarship offers should always provide contact information. If they seem hesitant to or avoid providing additional information this is a sign that the scholarship may be a scam.
  4. Unsolicited awards: You will not automatically be pre-approved for any scholarship. Again, you need to go out and look for them, they will not look for you.
  5. Guaranteed Awards: There is no way to ensure that you will win a scholarship. You just have to fill out all the information, be honest, and hope for the best. There are millions of scholarships for all sorts of interests and qualifications available.

Some other useful links:

The Federal Trade Commission on Scholarship Scams (http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams)

The Department of Education on Scholarship Scams (http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/misused/sscams.html)

The National Association for College Admission Counseling's Information on Scholarship Scams (http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/ForStudents/ScholarshipScams/)

The University of UCLA's Scholarship Scam Information (http://www.college.ucla.edu/up/src/scams/scam.htm)