Back To School Scams

• Shopping sprees — someone offers you discounted goods or free school supplies for your contact information. Probably a scam.
• Scholarship search — someone asks you to pay to "look" for scholarships. Not worth it! And probably a scam.
• Scholarship application fees — a scholarship wants you to pay to apply. Scam. Legitimate scholarships and grants do not make you pay to apply.

If you need to find affordable school supplies, look for deals directly from businesses or consult your child's school for potential discounted or free items.

Although scholarships for K-12 students are rare, work with your child to ask teachers or counselors about scholarship opportunities.

For college students, your school should have a resource center or online page that can help you track legitimate scholarship and grant opportunities.