Preparing for College
Preparing for College for a Fee?
ACT, ETS, FAFSA, and SAR—every year, students and their parents seek assistance in understanding the flurry of paperwork and acronyms they encounter on the road to college. Unfortunately, some fall prey to scholarship and financial aid scams while going through the financial aid and admission processes.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, every year unscrupulous companies guarantee assistance with the admission process or promise fantastic financial aid packages. Many use high-pressure sales pitches at seminars and require participants to pay immediately or risk losing out on the "opportunity."
Some companies guarantee that they can get scholarships on behalf of students or award them "scholarships" in exchange for an advance fee. Most offer a "money back guarantee" but attach conditions that make it impossible to get the refund. Others provide nothing for the advance fee, not even a list of potential sources; still others tell students they've been selected as "finalists" for awards that require an up-front fee. Sometimes these companies ask for a checking account number to "confirm eligibility," then debit the account without the owner's consent, or quote only a relatively small "monthly" or "weekly" fee and then ask for authorization to debit a checking account for an undetermined length of time.
If you attend a seminar on financial aid or college preparation, the following may be helpful to consider:
- Take your time. Avoid high-pressure sales pitches that require you to buy now or risk losing out on the opportunity. Solid opportunities are not sold through nerve-racking tactics. No reputable company will ever ask you to sign before you leave the room or lose out on the deal.
- Investigate the organization you're considering paying for help. Talk to a school counselor or financial aid adviser before spending your money.
- Be wary of "success stories" or testimonials of extraordinary success; the seminar operation may have paid "shills" to give glowing stories. Instead, ask for a list of at least three local families who've used the services in the last year. Ask each if they're satisfied with the products and services received.
- Ask how much money is charged for the service, about the services that will be performed, and about the company's refund policy. Get this information in writing. Keep in mind that you may never recoup the money you give to an unscrupulous operator, despite stated refund policies.
- Best tip yet: Walk out of any seminar as soon as someone asks for a fee of any kind. Instead, get free help from any UW financial aid or admissions office.
If you or someone you know suspects a scam, report the offer to the National Fraud Information center at (800) 876-7060, or send an e-mail to SCAMS-L@finaid.org.
Preparing for College for Free!
Free help is available, whether you are looking for sources of student aid, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or completing the UW System Application for Admission.
The following sources provide information about aid from the federal government and state government; most explain funds from local community and private sources as well.
- Financial aid offices. Talk to the financial aid administrator at the school the student plans to attend or at any UW school. Aid officers at all UW institutions have long years of experience and consider themselves public servants. Contact information for financial aid offices in the UW System is easily accessible in the publication Introduction to the UW System.
- Libraries. Relevant materials are usually listed under "student aid" or "financial aid." For help, ask the reference librarian.
- High school counselor's office. Many counselors have a large selection of materials, know what recent graduates have received, and know where to find free online information.
- UW HELP. This unique service of the UW System offers advice on admission, financial aid, and housing for students who are considering attending the UW System. Contact UW HELP at (800) 442-6459, or e-mail UWHELP@uwex.edu.
Where Can I Get Free Information about Applying for Admission?
The following resources can assist high school students and their families in learning more about the college admission process.
- College admissions office. Contact information for admissions offices is easily accessible in the publication Introduction to the UW System.
- Libraries. Relevant materials are usually listed under "admission" or "college preparation."
- High school counselor's office.
- UW HELP. This unique service of the UW System offers advice on admission, financial aid, and housing for students who are considering attending the UW System. Contact UW HELP at (800) 442-6459, or e-mail UWHELP@uwex.edu.
Who Offers Free Help Completing Financial Aid Forms?
Some private companies charge a fee for help completing these forms. You can get free help from the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC), UW HELP, or the campus financial aid office on the campus you plan to attend. Contact information for all UW System financial aid offices is available in the Introduction to the UW System.
Who Offers Free Help Completing the Application for Admission?
Again, some private companies charge a fee for help completing an application for admission.
Free assistance is available from UW HELP or the admissions office of the campus you plan to attend. Contact information for all UW System admissions offices is available in the Introduction to the UW System.
Sources of Free Information
- Financial aid office at your college or university
- Admissions office at your college or university
- High school counselor
- U.S. Department of Education
- Other federal agencies (including the military, if appropriate)
- Reference section of your school or public library
- Internet
- Foundations, religious organizations, community organizations, local businesses, and civic groups
- Organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
- UW HELP
- Free scholarship search services
- FSAIC
Check with all of these sources before considering paying for a scholarship search or a college preparation service.
Could you run that by me one more time?
Most of the information provided by private scholarship search services or college preparation services can be obtained for free. Before you pay any company or organization, make sure you know what you're getting for your money.
- To obtain information on student aid for college and completing the FAFSA, contact FSAIC at (800) 4-FED-AID, or (800) 433-3243.
- To access information on applying for admission to a UW System campus, contact UW HELP at (800) 442-6459.
- To learn more about scholarship scams, contact the Federal Trade Commission at (877) FTC-HELP, or (877) 382-4357.
- To report a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission at (877) FTC-HELP, or (877) 382-4357.
