Know How to Spot Scholarship Scams     The vast majority of private scholarships offered to high school students are legitimate, but every year, experts say, a few scams sneak into the pack.  Tips on spotting scam scholarships are offered on the Web site of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators,  operated by Mark Kantrowitz of Carnegie Mellon University.
    Here, from Kantrowitz's list, are some likely signals you're looking at a scam:

• Application fees.  You should not have to pay money to get money.  Even a fee as low as $10 should be a warning.  "Beware of 900-number services," Kantrowitz says, "which charge a fee of several dollars a minute for the call."
• Guaranteed winnings.  No legitimate scholarship will tell you in advance that you have won it.
• Everybody is eligible.  "Scholarships sponsors," Kantrowitz says, "do not hand out awards to students simply for breathing.
• No phone number.  Most legitimate scholarship programs will give you a phone number on their application forms.  If there is no number, be wary.
• Requests for personnel information.  If an application asks for your bank account number, credit card number or Social Security number, run away from it fast.
• Phone notification.  If you are told by phone you have won a scholarship, and the caller doesn't offer to confirm in writing, be careful.  If the caller asks for money, hang up.

Source:  USA Today, page 4D, Wednesday, November 12, 1997 Return to Guidance on Line