The Counselor's
Office
Scholarship Scams
During a student's senior year they will received a great deal of mail both legitimate and not so legitimate from so called "scholarship matching services." Here are a few warning signs that you may be being "scammed."
> a fee is charged for their service
> you are guaranteed that you will win an award
> you are offered for an award that you did not apply for
> they request credit card or bank account information to "verify" or "hold"
a scholarship for a student
> they do not give out their company's contact information upon initial
contact
> every child in your child's senior class receives the same mailing
The following website can provide you with further information about schoalrship scams -- www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship
When in doubt about the legitimacy of a scholarship service contact your high school counselor.
Here is a quick list of Financial Aid Resources on the Web
www.fastweb.com .................................... ACT's Fastweb Scholarship Search
www.fafsa.ed.gov ............................ Free Application for Federal Student Aid
www.pellgrantsonline.ed.gov ..................... Pell grant information
www.ed.gov/DirectLoan ........................... Direct Loans
www.ed.gov/inits/hope ................................ Hope/Lifetime Learning Credit
www.americorps.org .................................. AmeriCorps
www.jobcorps.org ...................................... JobCorps
www.cityyear.org ....................................... City Year
www.ed.gov/Programs/easistate.html ............. Resources by State
www.finaid.org ........................................... Fin Aid
www.ed.gov/offices/ope ............................... Office of Postsecondary Education
www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide ..... Student Guide to Federal Aid
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