Every day I read about more and more scholarship scams aimed at bilking families out of their hard earned money. College savings have been beaten down, families are facing unemployment, wage cuts and other financial issues. The recent trouble in the economy has caused many families to desperately seek money for college.
Families who are scrambling to find funding for the rapidly rising cost of tuition are good targets for scammers looking to make a quick buck. Today I would like to discuss ways families can tell if there is a good scholarship opportunity or scam waiting to take money from families.
I know you have heard this a thousand times but if it seems too good to be true it probably is! Avoid anything that is promissory. NOBODY can guarantee you a scholarship or more financial aid. The only people who have control over this are the colleges, government and/or outside organizations granting the scholarship.
Some scholarship scammers have gotten wise so they claim to be the organization with the scholarship. However, they want you to come up with some cash first. You SHOULD NOT PAY for scholarships or searches! Legitimate organizations granting scholarships are not looking for money. Do not waste your money paying fees for scholarship consideration. The only exception to this is some contest for art and writing may require a minimal entry fee. You should rarely if ever have to pay a fee. If you do have to pay a fee it should be minimal under 10 bucks!
Avoid any seminars that promise more financial aid or use hard sales tactics. Many fake seminars lure unsuspecting families in and then pounce on them. They make a family feel that if they don’t act right away they will lose the opportunity forever.
I have designed the scholarship surfer so families have a place to start finding legitimate scholarships.