3 signs a scholarship opportunity may be a scam

The Internet has made it easier than ever to find information about different scholarship opportunities. Unfortunately, while a Web search may help you find more money for school, it also increases your chances of falling victim to a scam.

Hundreds of people are affected by scams and problems related to scholarships and educational grants every year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The best way to avoid these scams is to learn how to identify them quickly. Here are some warning signs to look for when applying for scholarships.

Asking for money upfront

If you're required to give money before you receive money, then it's probably a scam. However, there are legitimate services that offer to help you find scholarships for a fee.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are some companies that lawfully require a fee to gain access to a list of scholarships, create a curated list of award opportunities, or compare a student's profile with a database of scholarships.

The difference between these companies and a scam is that a scam will guarantee you'll receive money in exchange for a fee. And that "guarantee" probably comes with stipulations that make it nearly impossible for you to get your money back. Legitimate companies don't guarantee you will win anything. It may not make financial sense to use a fee-based service when you can find most of the information you need for free with an online scholarship search tool that helps you customize your scholarship search.

Using high-pressure sales tactics

One example is a free seminar promising to provide information about specific scholarships and financial aid. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these seminars are usually long sales pitches to get students to sign up for a fee-based consulting service. At the end of the seminar, presenters use high-pressure tactics to urge participants to purchase whatever they are offering by warning that spots are limited or the offer will soon expire.

You should also be wary if someone offers exclusive access to a particular scholarship. This is another sales tactic because any scholarship information you need to know is readily available for free.

Asking for your Social Security number

Scholarship applications may ask for a lot of information depending on the type of award, but typically scholarship applications will not request your Social Security number (SSN).

When completing your application, you’ll usually be asked to provide the following information: your full name, age or grade level, contact information, and other typical elements of a scholarship application. Those elements may vary depending on the type of scholarship, but they generally include essays, letters of recommendation, test scores, and extracurricular activities. 

In some instances, a scholarship provider may request a Form W-2 as proof of income if you are applying for a scholarship specifically for low-income students. If required, blacking out your SSN is recommended.

Bottom line: Protect your SSN. There’s no reason to provide it on a scholarship application.

What if you're still unsure?

While there are companies out there who are trying to take advantage of students looking for scholarships, they are pretty easy to spot once you understand how they operate. If any of these red flags pop up, know that you're better off walking away.

If you have any further questions about a scholarship opportunity, contact your school's financial aid office. The more informed you are, the less likely you are to fall victim to fraudulent scholarships.