Legitimate scholarship and financial aid programs do not require an upfront fee. Do not pay for anything more than the cost of postage to mail your application. Remember, real scholarships are about giving you money, not taking funds from you.
If you are considering a service from a financial planner, be sure to get references of current or past customers. Call and speak to their clients and ask about the service and their results. Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no active complaints.
There is no such thing as a guaranteed scholarship in exchange for a fee. Legitimate scholarships are based on merit or need, not your willingness to pay a registration fee. The same is true for services. Results can never be guaranteed and anyone who makes those kinds of promises is probably a scammer.
In general, the major telltale sign that you are about to be taken by a dubious scammer is that you are asked to pay a significant amount of money. Never part with your money, particularly if you are seeking scholarship funds. Scholarships are meant to pay you money, not the other way around.
If you discover that you have been the victim of one of these scams, don't be embarrassed. This happens to thousands of parents and students every year. Report your experience to the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov to help prevent it from happening to others. Also, be sure to write us about it in care of SuperCollege, 3286 Oak Court, Belmont, CA 94002. We maintain lists of dishonest and worthless programs and would like to know if you encounter any new ones.
The old adage of consumer protection applies to scholarships and financial aid: "If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Gen and Kelly Tanabe
Founders of SuperCollege and authors of 13 books on college planning.
By: Gen & Kelly Tanabe
The goal of The Ultimate Scholarship Book is simple: To help you find free money. Inside you'll find the most up-to-date and comprehensive listing of more than 1.5 million awards. An easy-to-use index makes finding the right scholarships ridiculously quick. And it wouldn't be the Ultimate book without a section of little known insider tips and strategies that show you how to actually win the scholarships you find!
By: Gen & Kelly Tanabe
Need money for college? Stressed over how to pay the next tuition bill? Searching for a way to get a degree without going broke? Whether you need a full-tuition scholarship or a little extra cash to make ends meet, 1001 Ways to Pay for College provides students and parents with the answers.