Recognize scholarship scams

Common warning signs

• “Guaranteed scholarship” or “you are a finalist” for something you never entered
• Upfront processing, redemption, reservation, or release fees
• Pressure to pay immediately or lose the opportunity
• Requests for passwords, one-time codes, card numbers, or online-banking access
• Messages from look-alike accounts, misspelled domains, or personal email addresses
• Refusal to provide written rules, eligibility criteria, or verifiable contact details

Verify before you trust

1. Find the provider’s website independently rather than trusting the message link.
2. Compare the domain, announcement, deadline, and contact details.
3. Contact the school, CHED regional office, foundation, or organization through a number published on its official site.
4. Search the organization’s name with words such as “scam,” “complaint,” or “fraud.”
5. Ask a guidance counselor, financial-aid office, teacher, or trusted adult to review uncertain offers.

Protect your documents

Share only information the official application genuinely requires. Do not send identity documents through an unverified chat account. Use unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication when available, and never share one-time passwords.

If you already paid or shared information

Contact your bank or payment provider immediately, secure affected accounts, keep screenshots and receipts, and report the incident to the relevant platform and Philippine authorities. Acting quickly may reduce further harm.