---
title: How to Avoid Scholarship Scams
description: Too many desperate, vulnerable people fall for these common scholarship scams. Learn the warning signs, do your research, and avoid scholarship scams!
---

[The Nightingale Blog | Los Angeles Nursing School | LVN Programs ](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale)

# [How to Avoid Scholarship Scams](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale/how-to-avoid-scholarship-scams)

 Written by [Taylor Miranda](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale/author/taylor-miranda) | Feb 18, 2016 9:30:00 PM

#### The Dictionary says...

A [scholarship](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scholarship) is defined as "*a sum of money or other aid granted to a student, because of merit, need, etc., to pursue his or her **studies*."

 

Thankfully, unlike federal or private loans, you do NOT repay scholarship a wards or grants!  

### 1. Research + Tips

Fact: Scholarships usually have more than one requirement (e.g. GPA of 3.0 and above, an essay, etc.)! 

- Try looking through scholarships on [Unigo](https://www.unigo.com/scholarships), [CollegeBoard](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search), or [FastWeb](http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships) 
- Try looking for student-specific [scholarships](http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/student-specific.htm) and [grants](http://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/student-type.htm) on College Scholarships 
- Apply to as many as possible and keep track of what each required (e.g. High school transcripts, two-page essay, etc.) 

### 2. Warning Signs

Fact: You should never, ever, **EVER** pay for an application fee for a scholarship. Watch out for these other red flags: 

- The scholarship award requires a "disbursement" or "redemption" fee
- The scholarship award is not issued by a bank or other recognized lender
- The scholarship award is sent as a check you must reimburse for "taxes" or "shipping and handling" 
- An organization absolutely guarantees finding you a scholarship or your money back
- An organization offers a "free seminar" that turns out to be more of a "fair" for financial aid consulting services, investment products, scholarship matching services, and overpriced student loans  

### 3. Protect Yourself 

You can never be too careful! If the call, email, or online offer seems suspicious, trust your gut instinct.  

- Don't respond to unsolicited offers, esp
- Keep track of which scholarships you applied for and what they required (e.g. Essay, transcripts, etc.) 
- Ignore offers that have a "time limit" or "expiration date" 
- Check the organization's credentials (e.g. If it was founded just last year, don't trust it!)
- Get written proof of the rules and restrictions before committing to any sort of application and/or recieving the scholarship award

Interested in transferring to Angeles Institute? Check out our **NEW** Transfer Guide! 

#### Related Posts

["Financial Aid 101: Terms You Should Know"   
](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/thenightingale/financial-aid-terms-you-should-know)  
["Vocational Nursing Scholarships"](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/thenightingale/vocational-nursing-scholarships) 

["How to Avoid For-Profit College Scams"](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/thenightingale/how-to-avoid-for-profit-college-scams)

#### Sources

[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/02/04/beauty-school-chain-shuts-down-days-after-tangling-with-the-government/)

[Common Scholarship Scams](http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/common.phtml)

[Warning Signs of a Scholarship Scam](http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/warning.phtml)

[How to Protect and Avoid Yourself from Scholarship Scams](http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/protecting.phtml)

 

*Note: This was not a sponsored post by any of the listed scholarship websites listed above. 

[View full post](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale/how-to-avoid-scholarship-scams)

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