Financial Aid Scams

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) cautions students & parents to look for tell tale lines:

· "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."

· "You can't get this information anywhere else."

· "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."

· "We'll do all the work."

· "The scholarship will cost some money."

· "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

The bottom line is: YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, OR ANY OTHER FINANCIAL AID!

Here are the facts:

1. Students have tons of free help to find scholarships. These include: the college they plan to attend, national and state scholarship databases, Iowa College Access Network and your school counselor.
2. No one can find grants for you. Eligibility for grant money is based on information from the FAFSA.
3. Make sure you’re on the right website. www.fafsa.gov is right, www.fafsa.com is wrong

Check out our website for local scholarships and links to national scholarship databases at www.carlisle.k12.ia.us/HS_guidance.php?image=HS_guidance