Better Business Bureau offers tips for National Scholarship Month

Getting an education can certainly be expensive. In 20202021, the average price of tuition came out to $37,650 for private colleges and $10,560 at public colleges. That’s a large chunk of change, especially considering most students need more than a year to complete their degrees. Plus, there are the additional expenses of room and board; books and supplies; transportation and personal expenses. These costs can certainly add up, making it important to be on the lookout for scholarship opportunities.

What better time to start searching for scholarships than National Scholarship Month? There are scholarships for just about anything, from academic achievement to more specific niche scholarships like ones for creating a greeting card or duck calling, believe it or not.

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips to consider when searching for scholarships:

■ Start looking for scholarships early.

■ Always use reputable sources for your search.

■ Ask your guidance counselor or college financial aid office.

■ Check with foundations, community organizations and religious groups to see what’s available. In addition, ask your employer to see if they offer any aid for school.

■ Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for all federal programs and you can complete and submit it for free. Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, fill out the FAFSA. Many colleges and universities use it for non-need-based awards. Visit www.studentaid.gov.

■ Never give your personal information, such as credit card information or Social Security number, on a scholarship application.

The BBB also warns you of scholarship scam red flags:

■ Be on the lookout for scholarships with lots of grammar issues or typos.

■ Be wary if a company is unwilling to answer any questions you have about the scholarship service or process.

■ Don’t be rushed into paying for help at a seminar. Be cautious if a representative urges you to act immediately.

■ Avoid scholarships that charge an entry fee to apply.

■ Don’t respond to anyone who tells you that you won a scholarship you never applied for.

■ Be wary of scholarships offering a guarantee of winning. If you’re the victim of a scholarship scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (1-800-FTC-HELP), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (1-877-876-2455). The National Fraud Information Center (www. fraud.org) or the U.S. Department of Education (1-800-MIS-USED). You can also report it to BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker.