How To Avoid A Scholarship Scam

Expert Advice provided by Scholarship Experts Article written by Alyson Shutts Meeks The best way to avoid being the victim of a scholarship scam is to remember the old adage: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If a scholarship search service promises you a scholarship, run the other way. If someone insists that for $5 or $30 or $50, he will guarantee you a scholarship, it is definitely a scam. Yes, there are lots of scholarship dollars available, but the truth is that no one can secure a scholarship for you but you. Only the prospective student can do the work of filling out forms, sending transcripts, and writing essays. A legitimate scholarship search service provides information that is current and accurate; it does not provide scholarships. A legitimate scholarship search service is an information source. Take Scholarship Experts for instance. They have invested the resources to explore and compile scholarship data from all over the map. A good scholarship search service has a team of research specialists that constantly updates award information. What good is 1998's award information to a 2001 high school graduate? When looking for a valid, trustworthy scholarship search company, verify that the information you are getting is current. Look for a service like Scholarship Experts that compiles their own database of awards and delivers up-to-date data. Remember, it costs money to operate a scholarship service. It is a simple fact that someone has to pay. Perhaps it is advertisers. Perhaps it is customers. Make sure you know who is paying for the service so you can adequately assess the quality of the product and monitor what happens with your personal, private information. If you, the customer, the consumer, are paying, then chances are good that the service is structured with your needs and goals uppermost. That is why a fee-based scholarship search service makes sense. The service exists to serve the customer, without whom there is no service. Consider another old adage: You can't get something for nothing....unless it isn't worth anything. For additional information about this topic, visit www.ScholarshipExperts.com. Copyright © 2000-2002 by ScholarshipExperts.com, All Rights Reserved. ScholarshipExperts.com is a registered trademark of Group 77, Inc.

Scholarship Scam or Valuable Service -- How Is One To Know?

Expert Advice provided by Scholarship Experts. Article by Alyson Shutts Meeks Let's be adult here and face this issue head on. Scam. It's an ugly word. But it's been in the press a lot lately. Every scholarship site and government site has a warning about fee-based scholarship services. "If you have to pay money to get money, it's probably a scam," they warn ominously. "Spend the time, not the money" is another one that really sounds good until you think of services you pay someone to perform because you don't have time. Think yard work. Filing taxes. Hair styling. House painting. Car repairs. Fast food. And the list goes on. You often have someone else do the job, whether it's preparing your will or washing your car, because that someone can do it better and faster than you can do it yourself. In other words, you turn to someone with expertise, and you get results with minimal time invested. That's what scholarship search services claim to be: EXPERT at what they do. And what we at ScholarshipExperts.com do is provide an extraordinarily current and extensive scholarship search service. Why? In one word, empathy. That's right -- empathy. We know how it feels to be a high school student who wants that college education but is looking at a cost of thousands of dollars. We attended universities on scholarship, and it was great! In fact, ScholarshipExperts.com really began in 1997 when one enterprising college student (who had received ample scholarship dollars) noticed some of his buddies struggling to buy textbooks. They were simply under-financed for their college experience. He grew determined to start a free scholarship search service on the Internet, and others who shared his conviction joined in, including former educators and a college advisor. But alas! We realized that nothing is free, not even a scholarship search service. Someone has to pay, whether advertisers or investors or customers. So we decided that people who care most about the service were the best folks to help pay for it. That was the genesis of ScholarshipExperts.com, the only scholarship service worth paying for. We're not trying to scam you. Why should we? We are a legitimate business operated by professionals who know what we're doing. One article on scams claimed that fee-based scholarship services were often "home-based businesses run by individuals who know nothing about financial aid and who do not compile their own database." Frankly, we think home-based businesses are great, but we are not one. We have a real office and pay real rent. We were in the academic and financial aid environment when today's high school students were in pre-school. We compile our own database of awards -- just ask our team of research specialists who do it. In short, we work hard just like you; we're moms and dads, friends and family members just like you. We believe that we can provide an exceptional service at an exceptional price without becoming con artists in the process. We know how you feel about the prospect of funding a college education, and we're here to help. That's it, pure and simple. Experience has taught us that obtaining scholarship information can be a daunting process. Even if a student is sure that he or she can qualify for an athletic scholarship, for example, where do you start? Call the major universities on the phone? Check out some web sites? Ask around? This is where we come in. We're pros; we know how you feel; we think we can be your primary resource for finding scholarship dollars. So check out other services if you must, but we think you will return to ScholarshipExperts.com. We're the experts in this domain, and we're worth paying for. For additional information about this topic, visit www.ScholarshipExperts.com. Copyright © 2000-2002 by ScholarshipExperts.com, All Rights Reserved. ScholarshipExperts.com is a registered trademark of Group 77, Inc.

Winning the Scholarship Award

Expert Advice provided by Scholarship Experts. Searching for and finding scholarships is only the first half of the process. You still need to apply for each scholarship you are trying to win. Applying for scholarships can be time consuming and takes dedication and motivation. But the thousands of dollars you could receive makes the effort worthwhile. Below are some hints to help you apply for and win scholarships. Be proactive. No one is going to track you down to give you a scholarship; you need to do the legwork yourself. So when you find awards with eligibility criteria that you can meet, contact the provider and request a scholarship application packet. Whether you have to request the application via email, phone or by sending in a self-addressed stamped envelope, do it. There's just no other way to get the ball rolling than to be proactive and assertive in requesting information for yourself. Be timely. Almost all scholarship providers set deadlines, and you MUST adhere to them. Make sure you have all materials submitted before the deadline. If the scholarship deadline is approaching and you have not yet even received the application packet that you requested four weeks earlier, follow-up with the provider and request the application packet again. You do not want to miss a deadline, as most scholarship providers do not consider late applicants. Be organized. Good organizational skills can really pay off - literally! Keep your applications ordered by deadline date and give yourself plenty of time to complete them and send them in well before the due date. Keep letters of recommendation and transcripts on hand so you don't have to obtain new ones every time they are required for an application. Make copies of your completed applications before sending them in, and file them in folders labeled with the deadline date and the mailing address and phone number of the scholarship provider. Call before the deadline to see if your scholarship application was received. If it got lost in the mail, (the postal service is not perfect!) you still have an extra copy you can send in. Be persistent. The scholarship search process doesn't just happen overnight. You must be diligent about looking for new scholarships to apply for. Plan to spend several hours each month reviewing the scholarship programs with deadlines approaching, preparing application packets, and getting the applications in the mail on time. And then the cycle should begin again - finding scholarships, sending away for application information, and applying in an organized, timely manner. Be positive. Finally, believe in yourself and in your chances of winning a scholarship. Hard work and time spent on the scholarship process will pay off eventually. Keep your chin up and think about how great the reward will be if you can land even one of the scholarships you're trying for! After all, your education depends on it! For additional information about this topic, visit www.ScholarshipExperts.com. Copyright © 2000-2002 by ScholarshipExperts.com, All Rights Reserved. ScholarshipExperts.com is a registered trademark of Group 77, Inc.

Finding Scholarships on the Internet

Expert Advice provided by Scholarship Experts. Okay, so you are ready to tackle that daunting task of finding scholarships to pay for college. And you want to use the Internet to expedite the search process. But there are so many scholarship search services out there - which ones should you use? How do you know what qualities and features to look for in a scholarship search service? Should you use a fee-based service or a free one? And how do you avoid getting scammed while looking for awards? Use the following guide to determine what to look for and to assist you in finding the service that will best fit your scholarship search needs. Profile Matches Are Key First and foremost, find a scholarship search service that has sophisticated matching technology. A good scholarship search service will match the personal information you provide to them with scholarships that you are eligible to apply for. This will minimize the time you spend browsing through lists of awards, and will give you more time to actually work on the application process itself. Beware of simple keyword search services or services that only ask a few questions about your background. Many such services will return hundreds of scholarships for you to wade through, wasting valuable time that you simply don't have. Look for services with easy-to-use, thorough profile pages that generate results closely matched to your profile. Up-to-Date Scholarship Information Secondly, find a scholarship search service that provides accurate and up-to-date scholarship information. Reading requirements for scholarship programs from two years ago will not help you at all; in fact, using outdated information will simply slow your progress in actually securing scholarship funding for college. Remember, you need to find a service that offers scholarship information for the current academic year. Don't waste your time on websites with out-dated contact lists, broken application links, and discontinued programs. The Privacy Policy Do not become part of a spamming list! When you fill out a profile with a scholarship search service, the service collects and stores your very personal information; such collecting of profile information is necessary for accurate scholarship matching. Make sure you read the privacy policy for any service you use so you know what happens to that personal information once you enter it into the website. Some websites actually make money by selling your information to third parties that want to advertise to you. Be very careful about giving out your personal information to companies without credible, clearly stated privacy policies - the last thing you need is an email inbox full of spam and a mailbox full of unwanted solicitations. An Easy Process Make sure the service is set up to save you time. If you take the time to fill out the profile, make sure the information is saved so you don't have to start from scratch each time you want to look for more scholarships. Also, make sure there is a way to edit and update your profile, in case you change your major or improve your test scores or change your mind about the college or university you want to attend. Search services with such customer-oriented features will save you time and frustration in the search process, and that's what you should be aiming for - saving time, avoiding scams, and finding money to pay for college! For additional information about this topic, visit www.ScholarshipExperts.com. Copyright © 2000-2002 by ScholarshipExperts.com, All Rights Reserved. ScholarshipExperts.com is a registered trademark of Group 77, Inc.

Timeline for Getting Ready to Go to College

Expert Advice provided by Scholarship Experts. So you're planning to go to college once you finish high school, right? But are you really ready? Planning for college is a two-year process. And unless a rich uncle is going to write that $30,000 check for you, it is going to involve acquiring and submitting financial aid forms, scholarship applications, and grant applications. But don't despair. By following the suggestions below, and by carefully monitoring the process, you should be buying college textbooks before you know it. Keep in mind, however, that this is a process; it isn't like taking one test and getting an A. It requires diligence, double-checking, and follow-up. When you are a high school JUNIOR: Take the SAT and/or ACT...this is a must. Keep your grades up! Remember that colleges look at your entire high school academic record when making admissions decisions: what you do in 9th through 11th grade is just as important as what you do as a high school senior. Consider college options. Decide what is important to you: Location? Curriculum? Size? Diversity? Athletics? Social life? Keep an eye on your local papers and community bulletin boards for college nights and open houses; talking to representatives at college fairs is a great way to find out about the colleges you are considering. Research your scholarship and grant options. Utilize the best customized scholarship search service available on the Internet, ScholarshipExperts.com. You just can't mimic their resources yourself; they will save you time and headaches, and help you avoid scams. Send away for scholarship information and applications with early deadlines. It's never too soon to do so since some scholarship and grant applications need to be received in the fall of your senior year. Make an effort to be involved in your community or in extra-curricular activities at school. Join a club, do a service project, sign up for a committee at your church. Admissions officers and scholarship providers will want to see evidence of your leadership and commitment to service when they review your applications next year. In the FALL of your SENIOR year: Select the colleges that interest you most, as soon as you enter your high school homeroom. Don't delay. Send away for information and applications; be sure to check out web sites for information you can obtain online. Sign up to re-take the SAT or ACT. Buy a study guide or sign up for a test prep course to take before the actual test date. Believe it or not, you CAN improve your test scores by taking them a second time, and better scores could affect your ability to get scholarships! If possible, visit any colleges you can. Find out when there are prospective student activities or if you can sign up to "shadow" an existing college freshman. In September (and then once each month thereafter), search for scholarship opportunities using the premiere online service, ScholarshipExperts.com. Take time to fill out the entire profile on the site, making sure to ask your parents about their work experiences and association/union memberships for optimal results. Pay attention to early admission deadlines. By October or November, submit applications for early decision programs. Attend a financial aid presentation. These are offered at schools, libraries, and college campuses. Narrow your list of intended colleges, and make sure you have all the financial aid forms required by each school. Required documents may not be the same at each school, so pay close attention to what each requires. Obtain a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). This should be available in January, and it is very important. Call 1-800-4-fed-aid; the online address is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA form can also be obtained from high schools, colleges, and local libraries. Complete and submit the FAFSA immediately (it can be submitted anytime after January 1st in your senior year). Make a copy for yourself. Parents should compile income tax information and complete taxes early. In the SPRING of your SENIOR year: Verify that you have submitted all of your financial aid forms. The FAFSA must be filled out and sent in between January 1 and March 15 -- get it in early and file it correctly to avoid delays in funding decisions. Be sure to send in your scholarship applications on time; several scholarships have spring deadlines. Check back regularly with ScholarshipExperts.com to find even more awards during the spring and summer months; you should update your profile each month to generate new, customized award lists. Verify that you have received your Student Aid Report (SAR); it should arrive about 4 weeks after you have submitted your FAFSA. Compare financial aid packages when you receive admissions notifications. Look for the best rather than the most. Finalize your choice and notify the college. Sign and return financial aid forms to the university you plan to attend. Send your final transcript and student loan application. Notify the schools whose enrollment offers you decline. Now celebrate! You are about to enter one of the most amazing times of your life, and one that will change you forever. Make the most of your college experience, and remember to study. It is important to maintain your GPA so that you can maintain your scholarships throughout your college career. For additional information about this topic, visit www.ScholarshipExperts.com. Copyright © 2000-2002 by ScholarshipExperts.com, All Rights Reserved. ScholarshipExperts.com is a registered trademark of Group 77, Inc.

Scholarship Basics -- What You Should Know About Free Money for College

Expert Advice provided by Scholarship Experts. To some students and parents, the word "scholarship" is just another one of those confusing college terms: student loans, FAFSA, tuition and fees, EFC, grants, and work study. Little do they realize that knowing more about the scholarship process could save them thousands of dollars when trying to cover the cost of their education. What are scholarships? Scholarships come in a variety of forms, but are generally considered to be "free money" for college. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid to the scholarship provider. Some scholarships are awarded directly to the student in the form of a check, while other scholarships are written out to the student's college or university. Several different types of providers issue scholarships: clubs and organizations, charitable foundations, businesses, schools, universities, government agencies, and others. Who can get scholarships? It is a common misconception that scholarships are only for straight-A students. In reality, there are all types of scholarships for all types of students, including those with less than perfect academic records. Some scholarships are for athletes; others are for students planning to study in particular fields; and others for community service. Some scholarship providers just want to reward students for living in a certain city or state! Students also mistakenly believe that only college-bound high school seniors can apply for awards. Scholarships are available for all levels of college study, from freshman undergrads to graduate and PhD students. How do students find scholarships? Finding scholarships can be a very time-consuming process, but not if students use a reputable and accurate scholarship search service on the Internet. There are several online resources for finding scholarships for college. Students can also ask their high school guidance counselors about any local or state awards that they qualify for. Students should contact the financial aid office at the college or university they plan to attend to learn if they qualify for any awards provided by the school. When should students look for scholarships? Scholarship application deadlines vary greatly. There are thousands of scholarship programs with spring and summer deadlines, and thousands more with fall and winter deadlines. The key is to never stop searching for new scholarship leads, even after beginning the freshman year in college. A good rule of thumb is to continue searching for scholarships for the duration of the college career. For additional information about this topic, visit http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1939294-9999974. Copyright © 2000-2002 by ScholarshipExperts.com, All Rights Reserved. ScholarshipExperts.com is a registered trademark of Group 77, Inc.