College Success Tip # 12

Financial Aid Scams

Believe it or not, there are many individuals who take advantage and capitlize on higher education students in regards to the cost of their college education.

Tuition rates vary per student and each student, guardian and parent can attest college tuition is not cheap. Depending on one's financial situation the cost of tuition on a semester and yearly basis is an investment that one must make sacrifices for. Knowing that the cost of tuition is not cheap, many wolves in sheep's clothing initiate contact with higher education students pusuing a degree to prey on individuals who are experiencing the pressure of higher education payments.

One tip I give my clients and students is to beware of paying for services that are meant to be free in regards to scholarship searches. One should not pay money to receive a scholarship. A scholarship is free money that you do not have to pay back (unless you do not follow the regulations of the scholarship, when you are already enrolled in the higher education institution.)

According to Federal Student Aid An office of the U.S. Department of Education do not do the following:

1. Do not pay for the FAFSA Application. The FAFSA is the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid. Prospective and Current undergraduate and graudate higher education students can complete this FREE application online to determine their credibility and eligibility for financial aid.

2. Don't provide your financial information to companies that claim to have financial assistance especially for you. Doing this will put you in a negative situation and you could potentially be a victim of identity theft.

3. Don't give in to pressure tactics. Although you might not be fully knowledgable regarding financial aid, and the process speak to trusted individuals and research credible websites before you make any decisions.

Giving you something to think about,

Dr. Bryant