Many high school and college students are highly motivated to search for scholarships, which is a good thing. Scholarship scams, however, are not. So before you dive into the scholarship search process, be sure you are aware of scholarship scams and how to avoid them.
When you think about scholarship scams, two types should come to mind. The first is scholarship programs that are fraudulent, meaning there are no scholarship awards being given out and students don't actually receive any funds. The second is less-than-reputable scholarship search services that take advantage of students while they are searching for scholarships. With both types of scams, there are certain warning signs that you should be aware of that indicate that the scholarship program or search service may not be what it appears to be.
Suspicious Scholarships
To avoid applying for scholarship programs that are scams, there are some red flags you should be looking for:
Application fees - While there are a few legitimate scholarship programs that do require students to submit a small processing or application fee, most require no payment to apply. If you learn of a scholarship with a fee and you are concerned, contact the scholarship "provider" (i.e., the organization, company, or individual that is offering the scholarship) to find out exactly why there is a fee to apply and what happens with the "fees" collected from applicants.
Hard-to-reach scholarship provider - How easy is it to contact the scholarship provider? If you call and the phone is disconnected, or if you email and your email is bounced back, there is a good chance that no one is handling scholarship requests. A legitimate scholarship provider will give applicants access to a valid email address or phone number.
No recent winners - If you cannot find anything about prior winners, contact the scholarship provider to try to find some proof that previous scholarships were awarded. If it's a new scholarship program, be sure to find out the specifics of how and when the recipients will be chosen; well-managed scholarship programs should provide answers to your questions about the award winners and selection process.
Website Woes - Another possible warning sign of a questionable scholarship program is the quality (or lack thereof) of the scholarship provider's website. Does the website work? Is the scholarship information updated? Not all scholarship providers have enough time on their hands to make sure the website is in pristine condition, but websites should (at a minimum) list the current details about the scholarship.
Search Services of Which to Steer Clear
There are many scholarship search services out there to help students find scholarships; unfortunately, some may be more harmful to students than you know. Watch out for the services that claim to have or offer things that are just not possible:
"Secret" Scholarships - Services that promise to find scholarships for you that you can't find anywhere else are usually not legitimate. Scholarship search services have access to the same information students have access to, so don't let them fool you into thinking they have the inside track.
Guaranteed Scholarships - If any service insists that it can guarantee you a scholarship, run the other way. 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 student can complete the application process.
Also, be aware of the quality of the service you are using. Protect yourself by avoiding scholarship search services that:
Inundate you with pop-ups - Don't use a scholarship search service if you spend more time closing pop-up windows than you do actually looking at your scholarship information.
Are overly "commercial" - If you are on the website to find scholarship information, you should not be interrupted time after time with advertisements for non-related items like cell phones, magazines, car insurance, etc.
Compromise your privacy - Look for a service that has a clearly stated and easy-to-understand privacy policy; you do not want your personal information sold or shared without giving your explicit permission to do so. The last thing you need is an inbox full of spam and a mailbox full of unwanted solicitations.
Although there are many questionable scholarship programs and scholarship search services out there, there are also trustworthy and reputable ones as well. These services can be invaluable in aiding students in scholarship searching and paying for college. A legitimate scholarship search service should save students time by providing them with customized lists of scholarships that are accurate and continually updated by a team of research specialists. For more information about scholarship scams and scholarship searches, be sure to visit the Federal Trade Commission's website.
Now that you know the difference between scholarship scams and legitimate scholarship programs and search services, you're ready to take the plunge and start searching for free money for college. Good luck!
You've filled out a scholarship application form, gathered together letters of recommendation, and obtained your transcript; now comes the part of the application process many students dread the most - the application essay. Numerous scholarships require an essay of some form, whether it is to tell about yourself or tell about a topic relating to the scholarship itself (e.g., why you chose your major). Some scholarships are evaluated and awarded based solely on the quality and creativity of the essay component.
Regardless of the type of essay required, many students become overwhelmed when faced with the prospect of writing one. This feeling can be exacerbated if they are applying for several scholarships at the same time. Often, students feel this way because they simply don't know where to begin writing. If you find yourself in this situation, use this basic writing process to help you get started on your essay:
Brainstorm ideas. This can be as simple as writing down every topic that comes to mind or as complex as making a flow chart. Find whatever method lets your ideas flow most freely. It often helps to bounce your ideas off someone else and get that person's feedback.
From your brainstormed ideas, come up with one or more main topics that you want to present in your essay. The number of main ideas you will use in your essay depends on the length required.
Make an outline of the structure of your essay.
Using your outline, write the essay. Take note of the length specified by the provider (if any) and stick to that. Many providers will automatically disqualify essays that do not stay within the limits they set. If you use any outside sources in your essay, be sure to give credit to the original author(s).
Have at least one person proofread your finished essay. Be sure to go back and make any necessary corrections.
Writing essays to receive scholarships may be a frustrating exercise, particularly if you are not naturally a good writer. Keep in mind, however, that scholarship providers often ask for essays so that they can see each applicant's individual perspective. Use your essay as a tool to make sure that the scholarship provider sees your strengths and talents, especially those abilities that aren't obvious from an application form or transcript. Even if the topic of the essay is specified for you, you can still make sure your unique personality shines through. Your essay can be a chance for you to stand out from the crowd of applicants - and increase your chances of receiving money for college!
Personal information, essays, and transcripts - these are all fairly standard components of the scholarship process and the college application procedure. Another common factor, and one that you may not know much about, is the letter of recommendation. Many scholarship providers and admissions officers will request that you submit one or more letters of recommendation to apply for their scholarships or for entrance to their school(s). As a starting point for gathering those necessary letters, here is the 'who, what, where and why' of recommendations:
Who should you get a letter of recommendation from?
When you find out you need a letter of recommendation, you may be tempted to run to a family member (How could your grandma ever say anything bad about you??) or a friend, but your first choice should probably be a teacher, employer or some other non-personal acquaintance. Although having a letter of recommendation from a family member or friend is not a bad thing, most scholarship providers and educational institutions prefer that you submit at least one letter from someone who you are not emotionally tied to, as this person will be able to write more objectively and honestly about your qualifications and strengths.
What should your letter of recommendation say?
Sometimes a scholarship provider or college admission department will tell you what topics your letter(s) of recommendation should cover. When they don't, it's probably best to have the letter writer talk about your strengths, his/her relationship to you, and why he/she feels you would be deserving of the scholarship or admission. The writer can even provide examples of challenges he/she has seen you overcome, significant achievements you have made, and initiative you have taken. The letter of recommendation should be typed, but signed by the letter writer. Also, it is important that you give the person who is writing the letter for you plenty of time to write the letter. If he or she feels rushed, the letter of recommendation might not be as well thought out as you might expect.
Where should you tell your acquaintance to send the letter of recommendation?
The rules and procedures for each college and for each scholarship program will vary, so be sure to carefully read the application form and all instructions about how to send in your letters of recommendation. Some colleges and scholarship committees prefer that the letter writer send in the letter of recommendation separately from the application packet, to ensure that the student did not manufacture his/her own letter. Others prefer that you include the letter(s) of recommendation with the application packet so they do not have to worry about having incomplete application packets, but they may require you to submit the letter inside a sealed, signed envelope to ensure privacy and validity. Again, the rules vary, so be sure to pay attention to the fine print when trying to find out where to send in your letter(s) of recommendation.
Why do you need to submit a letter of recommendation?
Most scholarship providers and college admission offices want some outside perspective about the student who is applying for their scholarship or admission to their school. Before you get annoyed because a letter of recommendation is another thing you have to worry about, think about the positives. You may be able to use that letter over and over again. Not only can you use it for other scholarships you are going to apply for, you may also be able to use it for college admission, internship positions, and job opportunities. Letters of recommendation are a great way to showcase your talents and abilities for scholarship providers and admissions officers. An outside perspective that acknowledges your accomplishments and strengths can go a long way toward convincing an organization that you are worthy of admission or deserving of their scholarship dollars.
Since the 1950s, the enrollment of international students in the U.S. has climbed from 35,000 to nearly 600,000 students. Institutions that offer diversity and opportunities for interaction with other cultures often positively affect their students. International students, in this context, can make a vital contribution to American education by studying abroad. They help broaden the outlook of American students and provide a unique and valuable perspective of the world.
Given the unique advantages international students provide, it is important they have access to resources that help simplify the application process and minimize the financial burden associated with international study. However, weeding through the countless resources available can be overwhelming; the following is a simplified list of useful sites dedicated to aiding international students:
International Student Exchange and StudyAbroadResourceCenter: Provides comprehensive information to international students, including advice, useful links, scholarships, grants and other information.
With endless possibilities, finding the perfect degree program is no easy task. Here are some helpful links on program availability:
Study in the USA: A guide of English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, universities, colleges, and boarding schools in the USA and Canada.
U.S. Journal: A site dedicated to encouraging international students to learn more about U.S. educational opportunities and international study.
Know where you are going, but don't know how to how to get there? Don't let money stand in your way; check out these sites for financial aid information:
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA): A resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for international students wishing to study abroad.
InternationalStudentLoanCenter: Provides loans and financial aid to college students, including international students around the world.
Also, don't forget to check with your institution's financial aid office. It is there to serve the needs of its student body, and that includes you!!!
Congratulations on your decision to study in the USA and best of luck!
When trying to find a scholarship, it is important to think about the answer to this question: "What makes you unique?" We all have traits that make us who we are. Many scholarship providers are looking for students who have interests in different programs, subjects, or hobbies. Not all scholarships are based on scholastic achievement. Perhaps you are good at sports, or can paint, sing or write. Whatever your interest is, use it to your benefit.
In today's world, if you are willing to spend some time looking for scholarships that match your unique background and qualities, it is likely that you will find programs matched to your personal information. The only problem is that you may need some help in researching these awards and finding scholarships that you can then actually apply for.
You can always turn to those who know you best to help you when thinking of ways to find scholarships. Ask your teachers at school, your guidance counselors, and your financial aid advisors for their advice in finding scholarships. Find out if they know of any programs that would benefit you based on your unique background and abilities. Ask them if there are any professional, religious, or community organizations out there that would be aligned with your interests and areas of study, and then contact those organizations to find out about any scholarships or grants that they might offer to student members.
And although there are several books available at bookstores or libraries that contain huge lists of scholarships, it would take you a long time to go through these lists to determine which scholarships you are eligible to apply for. Many students, parents and educators have turned to the Internet to help them with the scholarship search process. Internet scholarship search services, and then they match users with scholarships that match their skills and interests. Be sure to use an Internet scholarship search service that has a large database of updated scholarships and one that can accurately match you to scholarships that fit your unique talents and abilities. Chances are good that there are scholarship providers out there searching for someone with your unique traits. Use your unique abilities to help finance your education.
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