Every year, without exception, sophisticated swindlers promising to help families qualify for extra financial aid instead swindle them out of large sums of money.
One financial aid organization believes these scammers defraud families out of more than $100 million dollars a year.
They do it by playing on the fears of families who are scared by the cost of college and have not been well educated on all the legitimate help available to them.
The first contact between the scammers and their potential victims is a letter offering expert advice and assistance.
The letter often looks like it comes from a top college or university. Thats not an accident. The font, the grade of paper, and the logo are chosen by the scammers to give the letter an "academic look. Its junk mail alright, and its far more malicious than most, but thats not what it looks like. As a result, instead of throwing the letter away, many families open it. Thats mistake number one.
The letters almost always begin by frightening families about the high cost of college.
But, the letter says, we can help. We can show you how to receive more financial aid. In some instances the letters will mention "secrets colleges dont want you to know. Sometimes the letters will talk about millions of dollars in "unused" scholarships and financial aid; money just waiting to be found by and given to students who know the ropes.
The letters are not always the same, but one element is. They invite you to come to a hotel function room or other reasonably large venue to learn more about financial aid and scholarships, at no cost. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? If you think so, think again.
Ultimately, attendees are subject to a group sales pitch for the companys services. The pitches are not exactly the same, but all promise that their services will result in students receiving more money for college. And, none tell you that everything they offer is either unnecessary or can be gotten elsewhere, at no cost.
The group pitch is followed by individual meetings during which families are pressured to immediately pay for the services offered. Many yield to the pressure, writing checks in excess of $1,000 for a worthless set of services.
Don't be the victim of financial aid con men (and women). There are lots of good websites offering free scholarship searches and financial aid advice. And, high school counselors and college financial aid counselors will gladly give you advice and answer your questions. There is no need to turn elsewhere. - 16747
One financial aid organization believes these scammers defraud families out of more than $100 million dollars a year.
They do it by playing on the fears of families who are scared by the cost of college and have not been well educated on all the legitimate help available to them.
The first contact between the scammers and their potential victims is a letter offering expert advice and assistance.
The letter often looks like it comes from a top college or university. Thats not an accident. The font, the grade of paper, and the logo are chosen by the scammers to give the letter an "academic look. Its junk mail alright, and its far more malicious than most, but thats not what it looks like. As a result, instead of throwing the letter away, many families open it. Thats mistake number one.
The letters almost always begin by frightening families about the high cost of college.
But, the letter says, we can help. We can show you how to receive more financial aid. In some instances the letters will mention "secrets colleges dont want you to know. Sometimes the letters will talk about millions of dollars in "unused" scholarships and financial aid; money just waiting to be found by and given to students who know the ropes.
The letters are not always the same, but one element is. They invite you to come to a hotel function room or other reasonably large venue to learn more about financial aid and scholarships, at no cost. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? If you think so, think again.
Ultimately, attendees are subject to a group sales pitch for the companys services. The pitches are not exactly the same, but all promise that their services will result in students receiving more money for college. And, none tell you that everything they offer is either unnecessary or can be gotten elsewhere, at no cost.
The group pitch is followed by individual meetings during which families are pressured to immediately pay for the services offered. Many yield to the pressure, writing checks in excess of $1,000 for a worthless set of services.
Don't be the victim of financial aid con men (and women). There are lots of good websites offering free scholarship searches and financial aid advice. And, high school counselors and college financial aid counselors will gladly give you advice and answer your questions. There is no need to turn elsewhere. - 16747
About the Author:
Daniel Z. Kane is an educator who produces websites on online degree programs and online college degree programs at the graduate level.
