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How Do You Know If a Scholarship Is Legit or a Scam?

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Let’s face it—scholarships are one of the best ways to cut college costs. But not every scholarship you come across is the real deal. With so many sites, offers, and social media posts floating around, it can be hard to know what’s legit and what’s a scam.

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If you're applying for money for college, you need to be cautious. Here’s how to spot the red flags and make sure you’re applying to scholarships that are worth your time—and safe.

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1. Legit Scholarships Don’t Ask for Money

A real scholarship is supposed to give you money—not the other way around. If a site asks for an “application fee,” “processing fee,” or “deposit,” it’s a big red flag. You should never have to pay to apply for free money.

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What to do instead: Stick to trusted sources like:

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• Fastweb
  
  
• Scholarships.com
  
  
• Your high school or college financial aid office
  
  
• The Fund Your Future Portal where we post new scholarships every week

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2. Be Wary of “You’ve Already Won!” Messages

Got an email or text saying you won a scholarship… that you never applied for? 🚨 It’s likely a scam. Real scholarships require applications, essays, or at the very least, a form. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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📩 Pro tip: Double-check the source. If it's not from an official organization or one you remember applying to, delete it.

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3. Do a Quick Background Check

Before applying, take five minutes to look into the organization offering the scholarship. Do they have a working website? Are they a known nonprofit, company, or university? Is their contact info publicly available?

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🔍 Search tips: Type the scholarship name + “scam” or “review” into Google. You’ll quickly see if anyone’s had issues.

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4. Look for Real Requirements

Legit scholarships almost always have an application deadline, eligibility criteria, and a list of required materials (essay, transcript, etc.). If something just says “anyone can apply” and only asks for your contact info… that’s sketchy.

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✅ Real signs: Application instructions, a clear selection process, and specific requirements.

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5. Protect Your Personal Info

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A real scholarship might ask for your GPA, essay, or even your FAFSA info if it’s need-based. But if they’re asking for your:

• Social Security Number
  
  
• Bank account details
  
  
• Credit card number
  
  

🚫 Don’t give it. That’s not normal for scholarship applications and can open the door to identity theft.

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What Not to Do

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🚫 Don’t rush.

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Scammers love to create a sense of urgency—“Apply NOW or miss your chance!” Always take a minute to research before sharing personal info.

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🚫 Don’t fall for fancy logos or official-sounding names.

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Scammers will try to sound like government programs or major brands. Look closely at the website address, grammar, and contact info.

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🚫 Don’t apply to every random “opportunity” you see on TikTok or Instagram.

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Some are legit—but some are just collecting your data. Stick with trusted sources or portals that have done the vetting for you.

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Final Thoughts

There are thousands of great, legit scholarships out there—but unfortunately, scammers know students are eager to find funding. By staying alert and knowing the warning signs, you can avoid falling for a scam and focus your energy on real opportunities.

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🎓 Want a Safe Place to Find Scholarships?

No sketchy sites, no spam—just verified scholarships added every single week inside our Fund Your Future student portal.

✅ Easy-to-browse listings
✅ Weekly updates
✅ Application tips to boost your chances

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👉 Join the portal now and get one step closer to stress-free college funding.

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