Scholarships

• "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."  
  No matter how qualified you may be for a scholarship, no one can guarantee it to you.
  
  
• "You can't get this information anywhere else." 
  Nonsense! There are many free scholarship resources - not just online, but also at your local library or any college career services center, as well.
  
  
• "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."  
  You would never have to give a credit card or bank account number to have a scholarship "held" for you. 
  
  
• "We'll do all the work." 
  No one can "do all the work" for you. Only you can fill out applications for scholarships and grants in your name.
  
  
• "The scholarship will cost some money."  
  Free money shouldn't cost you a penny. Period.
  
  
• "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.  
  Before getting too excited, do some basic fact-checking into whether or not the foundation or program is legitimate.

FinAid also recommends that students be on the alert for "scholarships with an application fee, scholarship matching services who guarantee success, advance-fee loan scams and sales pitches disguised as financial aid 'seminars.'"