Between school and college applications your student is already carrying out a LOT of writing. Unfortunately, when they make an application for scholarships it appears as though more essays are needed.
As an effect, you may start searching for scholarships without essays. The problem is that not every one of these no-essay scholarships are legitimate, and lots of of these place your student's data in danger – or up for sale.
Here's what you ought to know about scholarships without essays.
It’s Often A Sweepstakes
If your student does not have to write an essay, possess a minimum GPA, or perhaps be pursuing a particular degree, you may be taking a look at a random-draw sweepstakes.
This isn't to say that your student can't win the money, however it does mean that the chances are often really small. After all, whether it's easy to enter, tens of thousands of students will do so!
Providing personal information in order to have a minute chance in a random draw for some cash isn't often a good trade, especially considering the way the information can be utilized.
Get Ready For Marketing
It's essential that you produce a separate current email address for entering scholarships without essays. This is because many of these awards exist for the sole purpose of getting a crowd for marketing emails. You may find that attempting to unsubscribe doesn't steer clear of the deluge.
If you do decide to enter these types of contests, be sure you search for ones that are from reputable brands or retailers.
Also, remember that most of the organizations that offer these scholarships sell your student's information to other businesses or schools in order to raise money for the award and profit from the knowledge.
This implies that the mailing address, current email address, and make contact with number you provide will become fair game for any wide variety of marketing efforts. Consider whether this really is worthwhile before you decide to enter.
Legitimate Scholarships Without Essays
There are a few scholarships that don't require essays that are legitimate and are not simply a marketing effort. However, these contests will have another standard that replaces the essay as a criterion for winning.
For instance, if you see a no-essay scholarship that needs one or more of the next, it's more likely to be legitimate:
- A video essay or presentation
- A creative presentation or project
- Portfolios of past work associated with a specific field
- Minimum GPA or test scores with supporting documentation
- Short-answer questions
- Recommendation letters
Even if these are area of the requirements, you still have to complete your due diligence. Genuine scholarship offers also have an objective in it. Perhaps the organization wants to help students from the particular area, field, or socioeconomic background.
If there is no mission behind it with no strong requirements to apply, you may be taking a look at a marketing sweepstakes having a cash prize – or perhaps a scam.
Doing research into the organization can give you the boldness that it is real scholarship and not a gimmick or perhaps a marketing ploy.
How Student’s Data Could be Used
The realm of private data use and sale is becoming increasingly complex and unnerving. It seems like you have to provide personal information more and more online, and understanding how it will likely be used is essential.
Even data shared with organizations that appear harmless, like college planning and questionnaires that include the PSAT or SAT, can be collected and sold for marketing purposes.
Remember that all articles are voluntary, and you possess a right to look market research over before your student fills it out. Enable your child realize that their data is always vulnerable to for sale and that they should speak with you before they fill out any questionnaires, even if they're to learn more about college.
Unfortunately, there is no federal law that regulates consumer data brokers, and privacy laws are aimed at schools, not their vendors.
Families searching for scholarships are especially vulnerable, being that they are prone to grasp at any straw to improve their likelihood of getting money.
However, the New York Times article cited previously discussed the site Scholarships.com asks students for their name, date of birth, race, religion, home address and citizenship status and whether they have “impairments” like H.I.V., depression or a “relative w/Alzheimer's.”
They and then sell this information through their subsidiary, American Student Marketing.
That's a lot of information for sale to some wide variety of companies. Your student should skip any queries that seem invasive or off-topic when it comes to trying to get no-essay scholarships. If these questions are needed, it should be better to skip the “scholarship” entirely.
Get Real Funding For College
The truth that lots of families don't understand is the fact that the biggest supply of college funding is really the school itself. You have to find schools that are generous with help to families in your situation.
Want to save some time and find the correct schools for the student? Check out our College Data Spreadsheet .
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