Commercial financial aid program advice services can cost well over $1,000. You might have heard or seen these claims at seminars, over the phone from telemarketers, or online:

• “Buy now or miss this opportunity.” Do not give in to pressure tactics. Remember, the “opportunity” is a chance to pay for information you could find yourself for free. I have provided a list of free sources below.
• “We guarantee you will get aid.” A company could claim it fulfilled its promise if you were offered student loans or a $200 scholarship. Is that worth a fee of $1,000 or more?
• “I have got aid for you; give me your credit card or bank account number.” Never give out a credit card or bank account number unless you know the organization you are giving it to is legitimate. You could be putting yourself at risk of identity theft. You can get very handy tips on the internet to safeguard your identity.
• “Millions of dollars in aid go unclaimed every year; don’t you want some of that money?” The “millions” usually represent an estimated national total of employee benefits or member benefits—available only to the employees or members (and their families) of the companies, unions or other organizations offering the funds. You do not need to pay someone to help you find out whether your parent’s company or association offers any financial aid programs!

Still Curious About Financial Aid Advice Services?

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education receives numerous complaints from students and parents who did not receive the information they expected from a private advice service. The Department does not evaluate these services. Before you decide to use a financial aid program advice service, you should check its reputation by contacting the Better Business Bureau, a school guidance counselor, or a state attorney general’s office. Additionally, investigate the organization yourself before making a commitment:

• Ask for names of three or four local families who have used its services recently.
• Ask how many students have used the service and how many of them received scholarships or grants as a result.
• Find out about the service’s refund policy.
• Get everything in writing.
• Read all the fine print before signing anything.

Instead, Try These Free Sources of Information:

• The U.S. Department of Education’s Web site
• The Federal Student Aid Information Center
• Other federal agencies
• Your state education agency
• A college or career school financial aid program office
• A high school or TRIO counselor
• Your school or public library’s reference section
• FREE online scholarship searches
• Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
• Organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
• Ethnicity-based organizations
• Your employer or your parents’ employers

Don’t Pay for the FAFSA

Several Web sites offer help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for a fee. These sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education. We urge you not to pay these sites for assistance that is provided free elsewhere. The official FAFSA is at www.fafsa.ed.gov and you can get free help from

• The financial aid program administrator at your college;
• The FAFSAs online help at www.fafsa.ed.gov; and
• The Federal Student Aid Information Center.

If you are asked for your credit card information while filling out the FAFSA online, you are not at the official government site. Remember, the FAFSA site address has .gov in it!

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