How to Watch Out for Scholarship Scams

If you're overeager to get some "easy" money for college expenses, you may find yourself losing some of your own.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access
• Postage Stamps
• Envelopes
• Computers

1. Beware of guarantees that you will receive money.

2. Steer clear of scholarships that ask you to send in money for information or application fees.

3. Avoid scholarships that say everyone is eligible. Scholarships are given for a specific talent, not just because you applied for them.

4. Be wary of scholarship programs that claim they'll apply for you. Only you can complete the application form and necessary paperwork.

5. Stay away from scholarships that request financial information or identification numbers other than a Social Security number.

6. Make sure a scholarship application offers contact information such as a phone number and return address. Make sure the organization has a business listing.

7. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Many times, scholarships with impressive-sounding names or misleading titles such as "fund" and "foundation" are not legitimate.

8. Ignore scholarship offers by phone. Legitimate offers come through the mail.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your school counselor or adviser, or with your college financial aid office, for legitimate scholarships that are available to you.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Thinking about getting your degree? Find financial aid from top online colleges and find the perfect program that meets your needs.

[halohailer]

on 4/29/2009 Avoid www.scholarship-listings.comIt's not a good site

[Jason1986]

on 8/3/2008 I found out there are some good free scholarships that you can apply for at http://www.scholarship-listings.com

I applied for all of them yesterday, and I'm hoping I get one! (:

Anyone regardless of age, what you are studying, or what school you go to can qualify. They range from $10k to $50k. I think it's worth checking out!

[luv2laugh]

on 6/5/2008 GREAT article!! I def. recommend applying for local scholarships through your school counselor, you know they are legitimate and typically only a small amount of people are eligible to apply (the graduating seniors for your year in your city) and very few of them do apply, so you have a good chance. :)

I wrote an article about how to write winning scholarship applications. I think it is related to this article if anyone wants to check it out. http://www.ehow.com/how_2202993_write-winning-scholarship-applications.html

on 11/22/2005 Avoid scholarships that ask for a fee to apply to their cause.