Ways to Know a Scholarship Opportunity Is Legitimate

 Posted on September 25,2024 in Uncategorized

Applying for scholarships can be an exciting but potentially stressful time for students and their families. Students can have trouble finding scholarship opportunities, or they may be unsure how to begin their respective scholarship search. Students must also understand that not all scholarship opportunities found on the internet are legitimate. Many scholarships offered across the web are scams.  The OVC Scholarship Network is a state-of-the-art resource providing legitimate scholarship opportunities for students nationwide. Here are ways to tell whether a scholarship is legitimate or not.

No Upfront Fees or Guarantees 

Very rarely will a legitimate scholarship ask you to provide payment or guarantee an award if you apply. Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Application fees – If a scholarship costs money to apply to or includes processing fees, it is likely a scam. Authentic scholarships are designed to help students, not extract payment.

• Guaranteed winnings - A legitimate scholarship will never guarantee that if you apply, you are guaranteed to win. If a scholarship makes any guarantees about you receiving the award, it is likely a scam.

No Sensitive Personal Information is Requested

Valid scholarship providers will never require you to supply sensitive information at the application stage. Be cautious with opportunities that:

• Ask for personal identification numbers – If a scholarship requests your Social Security number before awarding money, it is a scam.

• Require sensitive financial info – Legitimate scholarships do not ask for bank account or credit card information. Keep in mind that if you are selected as a winner, some entities may request your banking information at that time to distribute your award.

Lack of Contact Information for Administrators

A credible scholarship will always be transparent about its organization and administrators. Watch for these warning signs:

• Missing contact details – If you cannot find a contact email or phone number for scholarship administrators, use caution. Legitimate scholarships will provide methods for applicants to reach out with questions.

• No address for the organization – Scholarships should clearly state who or what is providing them with the award. For example, if a scholarship is provided by an organization you cannot find an address for, this should be a red flag.

• Anonymous websites – Check the webpage for any links to official organizations. If the scholarship appears on a site without verification or an established background, proceed with caution.

Discover High-Quality Scholarships Through the OVC Scholarship Network

As you search for scholarship opportunities, be diligent in ensuring that the opportunities you apply for are not scams. To find dozens of high-quality scholarships, contact OVC Scholarship Network. Reach us by phone at 630-517-2702 to learn more about how we can help you today!