Watch out for Scholarship Scammers

Every year, without exception, sophisticated swindlers promising to help families qualify for extra financial aid instead swindle them out of large sums of money.

If you’d guess that such scammers bilk families out of $100 million a year or more, you would be correct.

They do it by preying on families worried about the cost of college; families who know little or nothing about scholarships and financial aid; families who are often easy targets.

The first contact between the scammers and their potential victims is a letter offering expert advice and assistance.

The letter often looks like it comes from a top college or university. Thats not an accident. The font, the grade of paper, and the logo are chosen by the scammers to give the letter an “academic look. Its junk mail alright, and its far more malicious than most, but thats not what it looks like. As a result, instead of throwing the letter away, many families open it. Thats mistake number one.

The letters generally start by appealing to fearby talking about the high cost of college.

Once they have stated the problem…paying for college…they assure you they can provide the solution. They may offer to “teach you the secrets of financial aid”, “locate millions of dollars in unused scholarships”, or otherwise help you take advantage of their special expertise.

The letters are not always the same, but one element is. They invite you to come to a hotel function room or other reasonably large venue to learn more about financial aid and scholarships, at no cost. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? If you think so, think again.

The gathering, whatever it is called, is a well rehearsed sales pitch. The gist…you need money, we can help you get it. And, nowhere do you get the one piece of information you need most…everything of value these people can offer you is available elsewhere, for free.

The initial presentation is followed by an individual meeting with a high pressure salesperson who uses a well-formulated approach…like those of the very worst car salespersons…developed to collect up to $2,000 and a signed contract from families before they have had too much time to think about it.

Don’t be the victim of financial aid con men (and women). There are lots of good websites offering free scholarship searches and financial aid advice. And, high school counselors and college financial aid counselors will gladly give you advice and answer your questions. There is no need to turn elsewhere.