Financial fiddlers
Ted Nielsen
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: News
Students seeking financial aid must beware of the high prevalence of scams offering fiscal support that have been circulating through UW campus mail. Numerous UW students have already been ployed into paying fees to unreliable swindlers for further information regarding financial aid. The notices and offers are often difficult to identify, particularly due to the professional look presented in the advertisements. Therefore, a greater level of skepticism is suggested when searching for such services.
The institutions or individuals responsible for these rampant cons are numerous. Parents and students often answer forms and requested payments in haste, in hurried response to provided deadlines. Once the forms and money are sent to the devious recipient, the helplessly na've student awaits their entitled information. Unfortunately, there is no information to be received, other than the grim realization that he or she has been robbed.
These schemes undoubtedly produce results in part, to the fact that as college students we have copious undertakings that must be resolved within times of brevity. Also, with the poor economy, and many of us impoverished as it is, students are expected to look for the easiest- perhaps cheapest- means to receive services, and financial aid is conceivably the most daunting of them all. However, if saving money is the goal, the opposite will transpire if certain measures of vigilance are neglected. These fiscal scams are seductive and intriguing- if they weren't, the dilemma would not exist.
UW Systems have been counseling students and parents to avoid mailings asking for payment in exchange for financial aid information. There are free government websites offering instruction on how to go about applying for those services. Additionally, UW-Waukesha has its own financial aid office open to students with questions about the processes- and at no cost.
When asked about financial scams, Judy Becker, a UW-Waukesha Financial Aid Advisor, offered her expert opinion advising students to "Read the fine print." Also, if unsure as to the validity of an offer, go check with the Better Business Bureau. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Becker encourages students to seek out additional information and employ prudence before making any pecuniary decisions.
Financial advisors possess the knowledge to steer students interested in financial aid in the proper direction, protecting them from the danger of losing money to a Machiavellian.
Few college students have little, if any money to spare, so a more thorough investigation of the proposals is advised. If interested in applying for financial aid, mosey on down to the financial aid office, and feed your waste basket those appealing bargains lurking in the mailbox.
The institutions or individuals responsible for these rampant cons are numerous. Parents and students often answer forms and requested payments in haste, in hurried response to provided deadlines. Once the forms and money are sent to the devious recipient, the helplessly na've student awaits their entitled information. Unfortunately, there is no information to be received, other than the grim realization that he or she has been robbed.
These schemes undoubtedly produce results in part, to the fact that as college students we have copious undertakings that must be resolved within times of brevity. Also, with the poor economy, and many of us impoverished as it is, students are expected to look for the easiest- perhaps cheapest- means to receive services, and financial aid is conceivably the most daunting of them all. However, if saving money is the goal, the opposite will transpire if certain measures of vigilance are neglected. These fiscal scams are seductive and intriguing- if they weren't, the dilemma would not exist.
UW Systems have been counseling students and parents to avoid mailings asking for payment in exchange for financial aid information. There are free government websites offering instruction on how to go about applying for those services. Additionally, UW-Waukesha has its own financial aid office open to students with questions about the processes- and at no cost.
When asked about financial scams, Judy Becker, a UW-Waukesha Financial Aid Advisor, offered her expert opinion advising students to "Read the fine print." Also, if unsure as to the validity of an offer, go check with the Better Business Bureau. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Becker encourages students to seek out additional information and employ prudence before making any pecuniary decisions.
Financial advisors possess the knowledge to steer students interested in financial aid in the proper direction, protecting them from the danger of losing money to a Machiavellian.
Few college students have little, if any money to spare, so a more thorough investigation of the proposals is advised. If interested in applying for financial aid, mosey on down to the financial aid office, and feed your waste basket those appealing bargains lurking in the mailbox.
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