Don't waste college funds on false 'honors'

This is the time of year The Jasper Newsboy office is besieged with press releases recognizing scholarly achievements by local students... but there's a problem with that.

One of the oldest organizations, and unquestionably legitimate according to the schools, is the National Merit Scholarship program, which has been around since 1955. It recognizes 55,000 students annually. Selection is based on a number of factors including scores from the preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests (PSAT). Students do not have to apply or pay a fee; their schools notify them.

There are literally hundreds of other organizations with similar names that do mass mailings and telemarketing this time of year. Most have slick websites that claim impressive associations, endorsements and partnerships with educational organizations. Typically a parent will bring in a letter that begins, "Your son/daughter has been selected for the honor of... send an amount of money to be included in our next publication..."

Elizabeth Cook, JHS counselor, says, "We tell students that a company that requires a fee is wanting just that, your money."

Cook said the schools have also been warned by college admissions people to tell students not to pay for a scholarship search or assistance in filling out forms. Scholarship searches can be conducted online and information is available free from school offices and the library.

Scholarship scams were investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) who listed offenders at www.ftc.gov. Some went by official-sounding names like the National Scholarship Foundation, National Grant Foundation and College Assistance Services.

Many of the new "honors" organizations skirt the edge of the law by providing an actual service, such as a printing a book, plaque or framed certificate. If you can spare the cost, some families may want this memento.

But if you are looking at the expense of a college education and thinking this is a way to get your student recognized or eligible for financial assistance, you might want to investigate further.

There are tell-tales to spot a scam. If your child hears these lines from a scholarship service, you may be getting duped:

"You can't get this information anywhere else." Free lists are available at schools and libraries.

"We'll do all the work." Don't be fooled. There is no way around it; someone has to fill out the application.

"You've been selected by a national foundation" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered. Before sending money, make sure the foundation is legitimate.

Financial aid consultants advertise their ability to help families through complicated financial aid forms, but these forms are simple, and a high school counselor will give you advice for free.

On college website advises, "There are not really any tricks... Financial aid officers are trying to give money away, not hoard it."

Because of the number of press releases we receive, our policy is that we will print only those scholastic honors submitted by recognized schools, but we do not accept a letter or certificate submitted by an individual or unknown outside agency.