Here are some telltale signs you should watch out for when you decide to apply for free money for college:
► There aren’t any promises or guarantees. Try to treat them with the fair amount of skepticism that these claims deserve. No one can completely guarantee an outcome. MAKE SURE YOU DON’T PAY FOR ANYTHING!
► Try to stay away from scholarships that will ask you to send in money in order for you to receive an application package and/or related information. Rather, try to opt for scholarships which are legitimate, that you can verify and rely on, in order to provide everything you might require as well as support for any questions that you might have.
► Promises that everyone 'qualifies' are also to be treated with skepticism. Whether based on need or merit, scholarships are typically awarded for a specific reason, circumstance, motivation, achievement, specific talent, and not only because you have applied for them!
► Try to watch out for parties that say that they will apply for you. Some of the information that you will need to provide will put you at risk for identity theft or fraud. Try to be extremely careful with whom you choose to provide your information to. It is best that ONLY YOU fill out your application form and all the paperwork which is necessary.
► Try to lookout for any type of scholarship which offers an application process that requests financial information or identification numbers other than a mere Social Security number. It isn’t only completely unnecessary, but it will also put you at an increased risk for some of the fraudulent scams and unscrupulous criminal activities that have taken hold of our company! Try to guard your access, data and information from all these practices and potential abuses.
► Logistic and contact information, like a phone number and return address and even a business listing you can trace and find easily is normally a good sign that they are legitimate and reliable.
► Two other obvious signs are offers that come in verbally or by phone – scholarships usually DO NOT proceed in this manner! They are more likely confirmed in and through the mail, in writing. Also, try to check with the better business bureau and other recipients of this award (if applicable), in order to ensure that it is above board and protect your best interests and also your college education, which is the gateway to your CAREER and FUTURE!
More on how to improve your college scholarship application essay with College Scholarship Personal Section
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