Scholarship scams

Some scholarship companies have been scamming individuals that are in search of funded higher education.

ABSTRACT: Fraud scholarship companies have ripped off many people including locals. But, there are ways to stay safe in finding scholarships for the college of your dreams.


Fraud scholarship companies

• Companies that offer to find scholarships for a price are more likely trying to scam you.


• These companies have scammed an estimated 300,000 students with stolen amounts of over $10 million each year.


• They have lists of dozens to hundreds of scholarship opportunities and convincing fliers to fool education-seeking families and individuals.


• They promise to return the down payment, but they don't.


• After they get the money, they close up shop and continue to scam elsewhere with a new name.

Local Stories of those affected

Susan Carigg

• Susan dreamed of becoming a nurse, but only had a 3.34 GPA and was low on her money supply.
• She sent in a $799 check, but never heard from the company again

Al Giangelli

• Al worked at Burger King to save up money to go to college.
• He sent in a $999 check of his hard-earned money to a similar company, but also never hard from them again.

Actual Scholarship opportunities

• In order to be safe when searching for scholarships use free services


• Free services include: libraries, and college and high school counselors

FTC Warnings

• Never give companies your credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or social security number.
• Emptying bank accounts and adding charges to credit cards are common occurrences when fraud companies are given such personal information.

Key Quotes

• “They promised to help, said they help everyone, that there’s lots of money for everyone,” --Al Giangelli


• “If you have to pay money to get money it might be a scam. Be wary,” --FTC


• “We can almost always help really exceptional students, and sometimes the poor,” --Matt Adamopoulos
  

Additional information

The links provided will help to safely find a guide to higher learning

• http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public
• http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/22077
• http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/