The scramble to find financing for college is on. And if you are running late, beware of making bad decisions out of desperation. With tuition bills and room and board going through the roof, students and families are looking for creative ways to finance a college education. Unfortunately, in their efforts to pay the bills, many are falling prey to scholarship and financial aid scams.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, unscrupulous companies guarantee or promise scholarships, grants or fantastic financial aid packages. Many use high-pressure sales pitches at seminars where you’re required to pay immediately or risk losing out on the “opportunity.”

Some unscrupulous companies guarantee that they can get scholarships on behalf of students or award them “scholarships” in exchange for an advance fee. Most offer a “money back guarantee,” but attach conditions that make it impossible to get the refund. Others provide nothing for the student’s advance fee, not even a list of potential sources; still others tell students they’ve been selected as “finalists” for awards that require an up-front fee. Sometimes, these companies ask for a student’s checking account to “confirm eligibility,” then debit the account without the student’s consent. Other companies quote only a relatively small “monthly” or “weekly” fee and then ask for authorization to debit your checking account – for an undetermined length of time.

Watch for these red flags and bail if a representative says:

. “The scholarship is guaranteed or you get your money back.”

. “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”

. “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”

. “We’ll do all the work.”

. “The scholarship will cost some money.”

. “You’ve been selected” by a “national foundation” to receive a scholarship.

. “You’re a finalist” (in a contest you never entered).

If you attend a seminar on financial aid or scholarships, follow these steps:

. Take your time. Don’t be rushed into paying at the seminar. Avoid high-pressure sales pitches that require you to buy now or risk losing out on the opportunity. Solid opportunities are not sold through nerve-racking tactics.

. Investigate the organization you’re considering paying for help. Talk to a guidance counselor or financial aid adviser before spending your money. You may be able to get the same help for free.

. Be wary of “success stories” or testimonials of extraordinary success – the seminar operation may have paid “shills” to give glowing stories. Instead, ask for a list of at least three local families who’ve used the services in the last year. Ask each if they’re satisfied with the products and services received.

. Be cautious about purchasing from seminar representatives who are reluctant to answer questions or who give evasive answers to your questions. Legitimate business people are more than willing to give you information about their service.

. Ask how much money is charged for the service, the services that will be performed and the company’s refund policy. Get this information in writing. Keep in mind that you may never recoup the money you give to an unscrupulous operator, despite stated refund policies.

Many legitimate companies advertise that they can get students access to lists of scholarships in exchange for an advance fee. Other legitimate services charge an advance fee to compare a student’s profile with a database of scholarship opportunities and provide a list of awards for which a student may qualify. And, there are scholarship search engines on the World Wide Web. The difference: Legitimate companies never guarantee or promise scholarships or grants.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.