When looking for scholarships, here’s some do’s and don'ts.
Today, you’re going unlock the secret to financial aid: scholarships. There are other options, like grants from the government and the occasional work-study program, but there are so many more scholarships out there for all kinds of students.
Visit the scholarship portal
Apply to Mason’s scholarships first. Since they are exclusive to Mason students, the pool of applicants is smaller than a national or statewide scholarship. To apply, visit the scholarship portal athttps://gmu.academicworks.comand fill out the general application. This includes a mini-essay, a resume upload and various questions to see what you qualify for.
A word of caution: some of Mason’s scholarships, like the Mary Roberts Rinehart scholarship, aren’t active anymore but remain posted on their website. Email the given contact for that scholarship and check its availability. Beyond what Mason offers, ask your clubs and organizations if they have any scholarships. This includes fraternities and sororities, too. In 2018, the national Kappa Delta sorority awarded over $160,000 in scholarships to members across the country.
External Scholarship options
Check external scholarship sites like Chegg,Scholarships.comand Nitro. These sites offer custom search engines and categories. Chegg even allows you to make a user account with a resume and user information, allowing for a more personalized experience. Take caution though. Unlike Mason’s scholarship portal, these scholarships aren’t always vetted. Double check with the offer’s website before throwing your information out there. Beware the “Do Something Easy” scholarships. They are merely a cover for an information-selling scheme. Unless you enjoy texts from strange numbers.
You can also see what your school district has to offer. Even elementary schools can offer scholarships to their alumni years later. Whether you’re a Fairfax native or consider Beijing your hometown, there’s a scholarship out there.
Fake Scholarships
You may be looking for scholarships, but fake scholarships are looking for you. It’s common knowledge that college students are drowning in debt, with scholarships being one of the few lifelines. Sometimes, when you try to reach out and grab that extra grand, you’ll get pulled under. Here are a few warning flags that you’ll lose more money than you’ll make.
● Don’t ever give sensitive information, like your social security number (SSN), credit card information or bank account number. Normally, scholarships will ask for the name and address of your school and send it directly to their financial aid department. This is why if you ever change schools, organizations ask you to notify them immediately, as they are dependent on that address being correct to get you your award. Sometimes, a check may even come directly to you. In this case, it’s on you to deposit it.
● Don’t fall for the “check scam”. Basically, you’ll be sent a check with a little extra money than what you won. This is the “processing fee”, or so the scammers say. The scam occurs when you cash the check and send the processing fees back to the organization. The check bounces, leaving you on the hook for money you never had.
● Ever lost a contact? Ever not had one to begin with? If the scholarship website does not list any sort of contact information, then you are being scammed. No matter how nice the page is, if you cannot find out who you are giving your information to, you’re swimming in murky water.
● Scholarships do not cost money. “Application fees” for scholarships are a myth and a scam. Likewise, if a scholarship asks for donations to sweeten your chances of winning, make a run for it. There are exceptions. For example, many companies, such as Great American Restaurants, offer employee-exclusive scholarships. Places with paid membership, like country clubs, also have scholarships. However, paying a membership fee or being part of an organization is far different from outright paying for a scholarship.
● If a deal seems too good, it is. There’s no such thing as an “instant win” scholarship (“You’re our tenth visitor!”) or winning without applying first. Should you get notified that you won a scholarship that you do not remember applying for, have no record of applying for and cannot find reputable records of the scholarship online, leave it be. You have so many other options.
A final note: always check. There’s funds and awards to be gained, but you must be careful about who you give your information to. Get on the “Scholar Ship,” just don’t forget to look out for pirates.
Leigh Norman | Staff Writer
Komentarze