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It happens annually. Students and their families are cheated by scholarship scammers…people who promise to help them land scholarships and financial aid they wouldn’t otherwise receive.

One financial aid organization believes these scammers defraud families out of more than $150 million dollars each and every year. Others think that figure may be far too low.

They do it by preying on families worried about the cost of college: families who have never been through the financial aid process before and thus know little or nothing about it.

It all starts with a letter from a company with a name that makes it sound like a benign organization whose mission is to assist students and their families.

The letter often looks like it comes from a top college or university. That is in no way an accident. The font size, the high grade letterhead, and even the company logo are chosen by the scammers to give the letter an “academic look”. It is the very worst kind of junk mail, but that isn’t what it appears to be. As a result, instead of throwing the letter away, most families open it. That’s their first mistake.

The letters generally start by appealing to a family’s fear by talking about the high cost of college. Often the letters exaggerate the cost.

But, the letter says, we can help you get the financial aid you will need. We can teach you how to receive more financial aid than you would ever get on your own. In some instances, the letters will mention “secrets” colleges don’t want you to know. Sometimes the letters will talk about millions of dollars in unused scholarships and financial aid; money just waiting to be found by students who know the ropes.

What all the letters have in common is that they invite families to a free information session at a local hotel function room or similar venue. Because the letter offers the promise of extra financial aid, and because the information session is free, many families eagerly accept the invitation thinking they have nothing to lose. That is mistake #2.

Ultimately, attendees are subject to a group sales pitch for the company’s services. The pitches are not exactly the same, but all promise that their services will result in students receiving more money for college. And, none tell you that everything they offer is either unnecessary or can be gotten elsewhere at no cost.

The group pitch is followed by individual meetings during which families are heavily pressured to immediately write a check for the services offered. All too many families yield to the pressure, writing checks of up to $1,000 or more in exchange for a set of services worth absolutely nothing.

It is very sad. And, it happens every year. Don’t fall for this kind of scam. Get all of your financial aid and scholarship advice from your high school counselor, college admissions and financial aid counselors, and the dozens of reputable publications and websites.

There is no reason to pay any individual or organization to help you secure a scholarship or any form of financial aid. If you do, you will only be putting money in the pocket of a scammer.