Scholarship Opportunities for the Graduating Class of 2010 |
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Seniors seeking scholarship information, including the scholarships, grants, and awards available from the McKeesport High School Alumni and Friends Association, are offered a special service from the Guidance Office. Mr. Stash, Volunteer Coordinator of the Scholarship Program, provides individual sessions with each student applicant, selecting and discussing the scholarships in regard to career goals, college of choice, and special family and personal situations. In prior years, scholarship information was deposited in a scholarship drawer or depository through which the students could root and research, often applying for scholarships for which they were not eligible or missing ones for which they were qualified. "This one-on-one meeting allows me to tailor the scholarship applications to each student's specific need," Mr. Stash noted, "And in five or ten minutes, the student is off with a wealth of source material. We have a remarkable amount of information which I have solicited and cajoled from various sites, including career profiles and occupation guides." He added that at peak guidance times as scheduling, grade reporting, and college application rushes, students may be asked to return later in the day or the following day to avail themselves of this information. |
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Most scholarships have gone the Internet route and are readily accessible via these important sites: |
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A scammer:
States you've won an award for which you didn't apply.
Does not supply valid contact information.
Guarantees you will win an award.
Requires personal financial information (such as credit card numbers or checking account numbers) to "verify" or "hold" a scholarship.
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A legitimate scholarship service:
Sends information about awards when you request it.
Makes contact information available upon request.
Does not guarantee you will win an award.
Should not direct you to a fee-based provider because they know that financial aid information is readily available for free.
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QUICK SCAM WARNINGS:
A fee.
A "money back" guarantee.
Requests for your credit.
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Popular (But False!) Claims |
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"For a small fee, we'll give you a list of scholarships."
Never spend money on a fee-based matching service. |
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"$6.6 billion in scholarships went unclaimed last year."
Statements about unclaimed awards are misleading. They generally refer to tuition reimbursements that aren't available to the public. Scholarships are competitive and are awarded. |
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"You are guaranteed a minimum of $1,00 in awards."
A service can't guarantee any scholarships because they have no control over the scholarship judge's decisions. |
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"We have a 96% success rate."
These false success rates indicate the percentage of students they've successfully matched with the database, NOT the number of students who actually receive money. |
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"We'll need a bank account/credit card number to verify your information."
Your bank account and credit card information is confidential. A legitimate scholarship provider won't ask for this information. |
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"We will do all the work for you."
To win a legitimate scholarship, you must submit your own applications, write your own essays and solicit your own letters of recommendation. There is no way to avoid doing the work. |
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Creative Scams: What to Watch For -- |
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Some companies find innovative ways to take your money. Know what to look for when trying to tell friend from foe. |
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FINANCIAL AID FEES: Worth the Price?
Paying a fee to help you apply for financial aid may be an unnecessary expense. Here's why: |
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Claim #1: "We'll help you complete complicated forms."
A. Information about the FAFSA and other forms is available for free from your guidance counselor, your library, and the Department of education: TOLL-FREE help line: 800-4-FED-AID (800-433-3243).
B. You still have to fill out the same basic information for a fee-based service that you would for the FAFSA; how else would they get your information? |
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Claim #2: "We'll find different ways to report your assets and obtain more aid."
While these services can be legitimate, remember that colleges can request additional documentation about your finances. Also, not reporting tax information accurately is against the law (punishable up to a $20,000 fine, prison or both). |
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NOTE: While financial aid services may provide useful information, know your options before deciding to use these services. Financial aid shouldn't cost you, especially when free resources are available. |
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A New Kind of Scam: Financial Aid Seminars - A seminar may or may not be legitimate. What are the warning signs? |
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While the presentation might be free, the services aren't: you may be pressured to give them a check, checking account number or a credit card to sign up for the service.
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You are told that the program can adjust your income and/or assets to make it seem like you earn less money, thereby qualifying for more aid. Such practices are often illegal. |
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You are asked for a credit card number to "hold" the scholarships for you.
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The service tells you that they can only answer specific questions after you have paid the fee. |
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The service tells you anything that conflicts with what a financial aid office tells you.
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What if you suspect a scam? |
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1. Save all forms you receive from the suspect company. Keep copies of written details about the offer and any correspondence, e-mails or other paperwork. Make sure all materials are dated.
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2. Take notes during any seminar or phone conversations. Record the date, time, phone number and the person's name with whom you spoke. Also include a detailed account of your conversation.
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