Scholarship Guide: How to tell if it’s a scam…

If you’re concerned that the scholarship that you found is a scam, go through this list.

No Provider Contact?

Always check to see if the scholarship website or paper application lists the provider’s contact information. There should be a physical address, email and phone number available, just in case students have questions about the program or required documentation. If the email bounces or you cannot reach an actual person by telephone, the program may be a scam.

Application Fees?

In most cases, free money should be free. Period.  Some literary competitions may require a small fee, but these programs usually involve large manuscripts and the fees are used to pay for experts in the field to review and select winners. Whenever a provider requires a fee, ask what the fee covers. If the provider cannot give a reasonable explanation for the expense, don’t apply. Another red flag is any provider that requires a credit card to process the application.

Fishy Website?

Most scholarship programs are hosted on the provider’s website or through a scholarship management system. Be wary of any program that includes outdated information or resides on a website that has typos. Websites that direct students to various broken links or are overrun with advertisements are another indication that the scholarship may be bogus. Legitimate programs will include current information on eligibility, rules, deadline dates and have a link to the application (online or paper). 

No Past Winners?

If a scholarship has been offered for more than one year, the provider should include information on past recipients, or have an address (or email) listed where students can inquire about previous winners. Legitimate providers are always happy to share this information and promote past winners. Students should also inquire about the selection process, such as how winners will be chosen and when they will be notified. If a provider is unwilling to give this information, don’t apply.

Guaranteed Scholarship?

Any scholarship or college counseling service that guarantees students will win an award is not legitimate. The only ‘guaranteed’ scholarships available are offered when colleges give awards to students who meet specific criteria. These types of scholarships are typically merit-based (grades / test scores) or need-based (income). Scholarships take time and effort, and if you are willing to do the work, you’ll typically have the best results.