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October 5, 2003 - News Release
Don’t Get Scammed on Your Way to College!
The U.S. Department of Education is issuing new warnings to college bound individuals about various financial aid scams that target those in search of scholarships, grants and loans. Wright State University Lake Campus Student Services Officer Sandy Gilbert, Office of Financial Aid says, “Much of the information and services that companies charge for can be gotten for free.” Check with your school counselor or librarian for free information about all types of financial aid before you pay someone for the same or similar information. For more information about paying for college, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s web site for students at www.studentaid.ed.gov .
The Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators has some tips:
- Consult a high school counselor or college financial aid department before spending money on a scholarship searches.
- Avoid seminars that promise to help you find financial aid, then turn the pressures on to buy their services.
- Don’t pay anyone to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form is not too hard to fill out; OASFAA holds free seminars throughout the state once a year to explain the process.
Fastweb.com, an internet site that offers free scholarship searches, warns against a claim of “We’ll find different ways to report assets and obtain more aid.” While these services can be legitimate, remember that colleges can request additional documentation about your finances. Also, not reporting tax information accurately is against the law (punishable up to a $20,000 fine, prison or both). Fastweb also warns against seminars that promise free services, noting that the presentation may be free, but the services probably won’t be.
To find out how to spot, stop, and report a financial aid scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania, Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580.
If you suspect a scam, save all forms you receive from the suspect company. Keep copies of written details, and make sure all materials are dated. Take notes during any seminars or phone conversations, recording date, phone number, and person’s name and keep a detailed account of your conversation. Report the suspected scammer to the FTC or any of the following organizations:
- National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) Ph: 800-876-7060, Web: www.fraud.org
- State Attorney General’s Office Call information or visit your state’s Web site to obtain state attorney general’s contact information.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) Ph.: 703-276-0100 Web: www.bbb.org
- United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Ph: 800-654-8896 Web: www.usps.gov/postalinspectors/fraud
Information is also available by calling Gilbert in the Lake Campus Financial Aid Office, 419-586-0336 or 1-800-237-1477, extension 8336.
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