Looking For A Scholarship To Study Abroad? Beware Of Scholarship Scams! Here's How To Identify Them

If you are a student looking for scholarship opportunities to fund your education abroad, you might be aware of scholarship scams.?

Not commonly heard of, scholarship scams often target vulnerable individuals seeking financial assistance for education and take advantage of their desire to reduce the costs associated with pursuing academic goals.?

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What is a scholarship scam??

A scholarship scam refers to fraudulent schemes or deceptive practices in which individuals or organisations mislead students or their parents by promising scholarships or financial aid in exchange for money, personal information, or some other form of payment.?

To avoid falling victim to scholarship scams, being vigilant and conducting thorough research is essential.?

How to identify a scholarship scam??

A report by QS, a higher education analytics firm that also compiles the QS World University Rankings, advises students to stay away if the scholarship simply sounds too good to be true.?

If the application process seems too easy or you have to pay to apply, you should be wary. Further, it is best to be sceptical if a website is offering a 'guaranteed scholarship' or if you receive an unsolicited email.?

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These are the common characteristics of scholarship scams which will help you identify one:?

Upfront Fees

Scammers may request upfront fees for processing or application fees, claiming it is necessary to secure the scholarship. Legitimate scholarships typically do not require payment for consideration.?

Unsolicited Offers

Be cautious of unsolicited emails or phone calls claiming that you have been selected for a scholarship you did not apply for. Legitimate scholarship providers usually don't contact recipients without an application process.?

Pressure Tactics

Scammers may use pressure tactics to get individuals to act quickly without thoroughly researching or verifying the legitimacy of the scholarship offer.?

How can I avoid falling prey to a scholarship scam??

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Here's how to avoid being taken in by a scholarship scam:?

• Official websites only: To minimise your chances of being taken in by a scam, stick to official websites belonging to universities, governments and other reputed organisations.?
• Conduct proper research: If you are worried about the authenticity of a scholarship, conduct an online search to see if there is any more information online about the same scholarship. If the information is less or seems to be vague, it would be wiser to stay away.?

Thus, be vigilant, conduct proper research and consult friends or advisors to avoid falling prey to a scholarship scam.??

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