“After I took the PSAT’s they came; first one by one, then by the dozens, filling my mailbox and my home. Some would sneak in a phone call while others would arrive in alluring packages. I am talking about scholarship services. Though their outward appearances differ, they all have one thing in common: the promise of money for college—lots of it. The catch is, you have to send money to get the money. That’s where they hook you. They tell you how “A measly 100 dollars could unlock the financial opportunity of your entire college career!” or sympathize “We know how expensive college can be and if you are like most people you won’t be able to afford it. Don’t worry, we can help, just send $75.95 to…”
I first started receiving these things half way through the eleventh grade. At first I would read them, I would even consider them. After all what’s $100 if it could bring me thousands to help pay for college?
I paid $80 to one service. To my surprise, all that came back was a packet of information listing about 30 scholarships I could be eligible for. I still had to enter the contests, write the essays and conduct the interviews by myself. Also many of the scholarships had strings attached—you had to major in a certain subject or keep up a certain GPA. The scholarship service did nothing to help me beyond sending me that list! That was 80 bucks I could have put towards my education.
So if you are a teen about to go to college, as I am, don’t be suckered in by the numerous post cards, flyers, letters, and phone calls from companies advertising scholarship services promising money for college.
Rebecca Gudeman, an attorney at Public Counsel, which offers legal advice to the community told me she has talked to a lot of teens who have paid $20, $50 or even $100 dollars but have not received a penny in scholarship funds. That’s a bad deal! So protect yourself:
Ms. Gudeman’s first word of advice is that even the most legitimate scholarship service is unnecessary. You really don’t need to send out for anything. The information the services give you is public information meaning you can get the same scholarships from your college counselor, teacher, or any public library without paying a dime.
Still, if you’re not up to the research and you feel a scholarship service is right for you here’s how to ensure you are not being swindled. First, read all of the documents you receive thoroughly, especially what’s in small print. Next, take the documents to someone you trust, preferably a college counselor or an attorney. As they read the documents, take heed to their comments on the legitimacy of the company and any loop holes that may be written into the contracts.
If you are told of the service over the phone, do not give your credit card number at that time. Instead, ask to be sent a written copy that can verify the information they have given you. If something is left out of the copy that had previously been agreed upon (but only orally) do not assume you will be given it. In fact, chances are, if it is not in the contract you will not be getting it. This is why it is very important that you read and understand all of the terms of your commitment to the scholarship service and more importantly, the scholarship service’s commitment to you. Do they really guarantee you a scholarship? Do they help you in the application process or do they just send you a list of scholarships you are eligible for? All of these questions should be answered in any document the company asks you to sign. If they are not, think twice before going any further.
Also, if you are under 18, you should never be asked to sign anything without signed consent from your parents. If parental consent is not asked for, you should be wary.
After all of this you will probably find that these services are a lot more trouble than a little trip to your local library. To make your life easier still, I have made that trip to the Central Library downtown. In the Social Science department, I found a few books that may help you:
Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans: A Guide to Education Related Financial Aid Programs For Students and Professionals. It is the Twelfth edition and is current until the end of 1997.
The College Blue Book Volume 5: Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, and Loans. This book is fairly popular. I could only find it up until 1995.
The Reference Service Press publishes How to Find Out About Financial Aid, The Directory of Financial Aid For Women, The Directory of Financial Aid for Minorities, Financial Aid for the Disabled and Their Families, and Financial Aid for Veterans, Military Personnel and Dependents.”
