Scholarships have become a very popular sought-after resource for students and because of this, scammers are now using this route to scam students. Students applying for scholarships must be careful to avoid online scholarship scams from platforms or individuals portraying themselves to be representatives.
With the helpful tips we have provided, you will be able to spot scholarships that are not authentic, how they work, and how to quickly avoid them.
How to spot a scholarship scam
Application Fee/Money Upfront
Never! I repeat never pay an organisation an upfront fee which they may claim to be a scholarship application fee before receiving the scholarship. This organization or the individual might just rip you off and you will never see them again.
Loan fees
Loan fees! An organization that wants to give you a loan for your study will never require you to pay the loan fee before offering you a loan. Loans are meant to be repaid after graduation.
Scholarships that are guaranteed
There is nothing like guaranteed online scholarships. Avoid scholarship scams enticing applicants with a guaranteed spot. Scholarships are meant to be contested and final considerations will be done by the platform offering the scholarships. If you meet the requirements, then you’ll be offered the scholarship.
There is nothing like a guaranteed online scholarship. A legitimate provider of a scholarship will never guarantee you that you will win their scholarship. They might just tell you that you stand a chance if you meet their requirements.
How to protect yourself and avoid Scholarship Scams
It is said that prevention is better than cure. I have dedicated a certain amount of this content to expose some ways to spot scholarship scams, but it is also important to learn how to avoid them entirely. This section involves tips that would help you avoid online scholarship scams in its entirety.
Always ask yourself this question, is this Petty talk too good to be true?
When something starts sounding too good or too inviting, you must do a little more research. Real scholarship platforms won’t try to convince you with sweet talk to apply. They know what they have to offer and they just bring it to your notice and not patting you on the shoulder to apply.
Never pay money
Never pay any money to companies in the name of service fees, application fees or stuff like that. Legitimate platforms that are willing to offer scholarships have enough money and do not require applicants to pay any sort of token to process their scholarship.
Contact Them
If you are about to apply for a scholarship and the scholarship provider is requesting you to pay a certain amount of money to process your scholarship, it is important that you contact them and request their physical address. Make sure you confirm the address before you pay such a fee.
Legitimate scholarship platforms will be happy to provide you with their physical address but scammers will not!
Get Reference
Legitimate scholarship platforms are popular on the web. However, some upcoming scholarship platforms might not be that popular. But you must find something about them on the internet.
Use the scholarship name to search for them on the internet. You must find something about them if they are legitimate. Scholarship search engines will have information about them, and Google will also provide you with some information about that platform if they are legit.
Conclusion
Legitimate scholarship platforms will never ask you to pay anything to be offered their scholarship
And no legitimate platform will guarantee you that you’ll get their scholarship. Though they might advise you on how to stand a chance.
To avoid scholarship scams experts advise you use search for scholarships yourself, and not wait for scholarships to come to you. Because 60% of scholarships that come to you by themselves are not legit.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Avoid Scholarship Scams
What are common signs of a scholarship scam?
Avoid scholarships requesting for upfront fees. Legitimate scholarships will not request for any payment for application or processing. Be careful, scammers may pressure you to secure a scholarship opportunity that is not real. Never give your social security number, bank account details, or other valid data without verifying the source.
How can I verify if a scholarship is legitimate?
Do thorough research online to identify legitimate scholarships. Do a background check on the sponsor, check for reviews, reports of scams, and complaints. We recommend you rely on scholarship databases such as Fastweb, or Scholarships.com.
What should I do if I suspect a scam?
Contact organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) –or reach out to your local consumer protection agency. Don’t respond to calls, emails, or texts from sources you suspect of being fraudulent. Protect your social security number and other personal financial information.
What is the best website to find scholarships for international students?
The International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA) is a reputable platform for international students to find scholarship opportunities and grant information. Visit the official website of IEFA to see more legitimate scholarship opportunities.
How can I protect myself when searching for scholarships?
Avoid platforms requesting application fees, be careful of terms that suggest your data will be sold or shared, and always use official scholarship search engines and school resources.
We Also Recommend:
- 12 Scholarship Application Tips in 2024
- 10 Sure Ways to Get Scholarships for University/College in 2024
- Difference between fellowship and scholarship
- Merit-Based Scholarships for Domestic and International Students 2024
- 10 Fully funded Scholarships for International students 2024-2025
- 11 Students Studying Abroad Scholarships 2024
- Tips for students to be successful
0 comments
Hi there, I enjoy reading through your article post.
I like to write a little comment to support you.