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Important Information regarding Scholarship Scams

Published June 27, 2016

The university would like to remind all students to be carefulto avoid scholarship scams and other forms of financial scams.

In addition to scams that you may encounter on the internet, there are many people and groupsposing as legitimate scholarship committees, foundations, lenders, scholarship sponsors and so on. Scams are real. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.Be cautious when speaking with anyone regarding university scholarship information. If you encounter an e-mail or phone call that seems suspicious, please contactthe 51蹤獲 Office of Financial Aid (318-342-5320) to verifythe legitimacyof the source.

We have included below a helpful list of "10 scam warning signs." Please keep these in mind as you deal with scholarship information, applications, e-mails, phone calls, and online forms. Another helpful source of information may be found on the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website.In the event that you feel you have fallen victim to a scholarship or financial scam, you can file a complaint with the FTC at the bottom of that page (see "Report Scams").

10 Scam Warning Signs

These quick tips can help you spot a scam.

Knowing these warning signs can keep you from being a scholarship scam victim.

  1. Fees:You shouldnt have to pay to search for or apply for scholarships. Check out the free scholarship search at.

  2. Credit card or bank account information needed:You should never have to give credit card or bank account information to award providers.
  3. Scholarship guarantee:No one can guarantee that youll win a scholarship because no one can control scholarship judges decisions. Also, be wary of high success ratesthey usually do not refer to actual award winners.
  4. No work involved:You cant avoid putting in time to fill out a scholarship application.
  5. No contact information:Legitimate sponsors should provide contact information upon request. If the sponsor does not supply a valid e-mail address, phone number and mailing address (not a PO box) after youve asked for one, that could the sign of a scam.
  6. Unsolicited scholarships:If you are called to receive an award for which you never applied, be alertits most likely a scam.
  7. Pressure tactics:Dont allow yourself to be pressured into applying for a scholarship, especially if the sponsor is asking for money up front.
  8. Claims of exclusive scholarships:Sponsors dont make their scholarships available through only one service.
  9. Sponsor goes out of their way to sound official:Scammers sometimes use official-sounding words like national, education or federal or they display an official-looking seal to fool you into thinking they are legit. Check with your school if you question a scholarship providers legitimacy.
  10. Your questions arent answered directly:If you cant get a straight answer from a sponsor regarding their application, what will be done with your information or other questions, proceed with caution.

(Source of '10 scams warning signs' article:http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/the-10-scam-warning-signs)