This week

Financial aid awareness

• Feature — Scholarship scams
• Your turn — You can enhance your scholarship chances
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Scholarship scams

There isn't a fool-proof method for identifying scholarship scams, but some warning signs include guarantees of winning, implying that anyone is eligible, and pressure tactics. Watch out for the following well-known scams:

• The Free Seminar. A letter invites you to an interview or free seminar at a nearby hotel, activity center, or even a school. These seminars are usually sales pitches for financial aid/scholarship consultants.
• Ego Stroking. You receive an offer to see your name and achievements in print for a fee and to compete with others in the directory for scholarship awards. These scholarships typically only cover 5–10 percent of all entries.
• Pay to Play. A letter indicates that you have already won a scholarship. However, it states that you have to mail in a "shipping and handling fee" or pay taxes on the award up-front.
• Notification by Phone. All scholarship organizations notify winners by writing. Even calls from organizations by a scholarship sponsor are followed with written notification.
• Time Pressure. Be wary of phrases such as "first-come, first-served" or others that pressure you to make a decision in a short time frame.
• The Name Game. This scam uses similar or official sounding names by using words like national, federation, administration, or bureau (for example, the National Federation of Education, the Bureau of Educational Administration, or State Scholarship Federation).
• No Phone Number. Legitimate organizations and foundations always give a phone number on scholarship application materials.
• False Sponsorship. The Better Business Bureau and federal agencies do not endorse private enterprises.
• Personal Information Requests. Do not give out your bank account number, credit card number, or Social Security Number. None of these are needed to process or award private scholarships.
• Application Fees. Most scholarship foundations are nonprofits and cannot charge an application fee.

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Web quest

You can enhance your scholarship chances

You can enhance your chances of receiving a scholarship by:

• Applying early;
• Submitting an easy to read, well organized, and complete application;
• Avoiding redundancy in your essay;
• Following established application instructions; and
• Recognizing the differences in the criteria schools and scholarship programs use for consideration.

Most scholarship committees typically look for neatness, achievement, consistency or improvement, ethics, values, morals, high standards, determination, individuality, and independence in students.

Source: Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (www.tasfaa.org)

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen

Here are some factors to consider as you make your course choices for your sophomore year:

• Select classes that are both challenging and appropriate. You want to choose the most difficult class you can handle, but you also want to do well. Your teachers and your counselor can assist you.
• Find elective courses that will allow you to further your interests.
• If you already have some colleges in mind, review the list of courses that the colleges say are required for a student to be considered for admission.
• Talk to older students about the classes that they have found beneficial.

For sophomores

As the month comes to a close, it is time to start considering what courses you will choose for next year. Consider these factors as you choose your classes:

• Challenge yourself. You want to choose the most difficult classes you can handle, but you also want to do well. Your teachers and counselor can assist you.
• Take additional academic classes. Courses in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages look good on a college application.
• Find elective courses that will allow you to further your interests.
• If you already have some colleges in mind, review the list of courses that the colleges say are required for a student to be considered for admission.
• Talk to older students about the classes that they have found beneficial.

For juniors

It is time to start considering what courses you will choose for your senior year. Consider these factors as you choose your classes:

• Review your list of prospective colleges. What courses are listed as "required" for admissions purposes?
• Choose solid academic classes. These include English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages.
• Colleges look closely at the list of the courses taken during the senior year. Admissions representatives look for students who are taking strong academic classes in preparation for college.

For seniors

Here are a few hints about college interviews:

• Dress in clean, pressed casual clothes. Avoid jeans. There is no need to wear a suit.
• Be prepared. Take a transcript and resume with you.
• This is the opportunity to share information that was not covered in your application.
• Be yourself. Don't try to be what you "think" the college wants.
• Follow up the interview with a thank you note.

For parents

Parental involvement in the course selection process is vital. Here are some hints for you:

• Carefully read all literature sent home by the high school regarding the procedure for course selection.
• Find a time to meet with your teenager to review all the materials together. Encourage your child to take challenging courses.
• Be aware of course prerequisites.
• If you have a sophomore or junior, investigate any Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses that would be appropriate for your child's abilities.
• Seek advice from your teen's teachers. They know your child's abilities, work ethic, and study habits.
• Research college admission requirements.
• Provide all parent signatures required by the high school on course registration materials.
• If you will have a senior next year, you might want to request a conference with their counselor to make sure they have met all graduation requirements.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web site (www.collegeboard.com) or call (866) 756-7346.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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