For a lot of students in India, the dream of studying abroad has turned into a reality due to the availability of various scholarships. These include education loans, grants and other types of financial assistance to study abroad that are easily available. However, this dream can sometimes become a nightmare due to the rising incidence of scholarship fraud.
There are a lot of fraudsters who promise to provide funds in return for an application fee and then vanish all of a sudden. Let’s check and understand how incidents of scholarship fraud happen and how can you avert the same by staying informed.
Table of contents
What is Scholarship Fraud?
Scholarship fraud involves illegitimate practices where scammers offer fake scholarships to extract money or personal information from unsuspecting students. These scams can take various forms like false promises of guaranteed scholarships, fraudulent scholarship application services, huge application fees or donations and other phishing attempts to steal personal data. Check some of the major types of scholarship fraud taking place these days.
Also Read: Planning to study in Canada? Check here all about fully funded scholarships in Canada
Common Types of Scholarship Scams
Scholarship scams come in various forms like guaranteed scholarship scams that require upfront fees, application fee scams where fraudsters charge for accessing or submitting applications, phishing scams that steal personal information through fake scholarship offers etc. These scams often use attracting promises and pressure tactics to target less informed students. Check more details below:
Guaranteed Scholarship Scams
Guaranteed scholarship scams promise students a certain amount of financial aid in exchange for an upfront fee. As there are multiple Indian Government scholarships to study abroad, the fraudsters may deliver a fake promise using the name of such scholarships. The purpose behind this is to exploit the eagerness of the students to secure funding for education. These scams often claim a high success rate and low effort is required. In reality, legitimate scholarships never ask for money upfront, and these guarantees are simply a tactic to defraud students and their families.
Application Fee Scams
Application fee scams defraud students by charging fees for accessing lists of scholarships or for submitting applications on their behalf. These scams exploit the desire for financial aid by presenting themselves as necessary steps in the scholarship process. However, legitimate scholarships do not require payment for applications or information. Students should be aware of any scholarship opportunity that demands an upfront fee.
Phishing Scams
Phishing scams in the context of scholarships involve fraudsters sending emails or messages that appear to be from reputable organizations. They usually request personal information by saying that it is necessary for scholarship applications. These scams aim to steal sensitive data such as ID card numbers, bank details, or passwords for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
Also Read: Want to pursue PhD from France? Check here all about PhD funding in France
Scholarship Fraud: Red Flags to Watch
Recognising scholarship fraud involves being alert to several red flags such as upfront fees, unrealistic offers from unfamiliar sources, and scholarships that promise large sums of money with minimal effort. High-pressure tactics urging immediate action and the lack of verifiable contact information also signal potential scams. Check more details below:
- Always be aware of any scholarship requesting an application or processing fee before the approval.
- If you receive a scholarship offer without applying, it’s likely a scam. Legitimate scholarships require a proper application process and there is a fixed time slot for the same.
- Scholarships that promise large sums of money with minimal effort or unrealistic eligibility criteria are mostly fraudulent.
- Sometimes scammers may use high-pressure tactics to rush you into making a decision or payment. For example, they will say that the offer is going to expire today or within hours. Legitimate scholarships provide ample time to apply and consider options.
Steps to Identify and Avert Scholarship Scam
To identify and avert scholarship scams, students should thoroughly research scholarship organisations. It is essential to make sure that the organisation offering a particular scholarship is legal, reliable and verified by the esteemed authority. Check some major tips to identify and vert scholarship fraud below:
- Relying on trusted sources, such as official university websites and recognised educational organisations, is very important.
- It’s essential to protect personal information by only sharing it on secure, verified platforms.
- Seeking guidance from school or educational advisors can provide valuable insights and help confirm the authenticity of scholarship opportunities.
- Always investigate the scholarship provider. Look for reviews, and official websites, and verify their legitimacy through educational institutions or trusted sources.
- Make sure that the scholarship organisation has a legitimate address, phone number, and email address.
These are some of the most common scholarship frauds that are happening these days. Always research properly and apply only through verified and authorised channels and reliable scholarship organisations. Check some of the FAQs based on the same below:
FAQs
Scholarship fraud involves illegal and unethical practices where scammers offer fake scholarships to extract money or personal information from unsuspecting students.
Common types of scholarship scams include guaranteed scholarship scams that require upfront fees, application fee scams where fraudsters charge for accessing or submitting applications, and phishing scams that steal personal information through fake scholarship offers.
Guaranteed scholarship scams promise students assured financial aid in exchange for an upfront fee, claiming a high success rate with minimal effort. Legitimate scholarships never require payment upfront.
To avoid application fee scams, be cautious of any scholarship opportunity that demands an upfront fee for accessing lists of scholarships or for submitting applications on your behalf.
Recognising scholarship fraud involves being alert to several red flags such as upfront fees, unrealistic offers from unfamiliar sources, and scholarships that promise large sums of money with minimal effort.
To know more about education loans, the best bank accounts for students, forex and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience.
