Check a scholarship invitation before sharing details

Before replying, find the organization that administers the scholarship and read its official eligibility page. Polished wording and an official-looking layout are not proof that the program exists. Share no student details until the program and the mailing match.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated October 2, 2026.

Verify the program

Write down the administrator named on the mailing, exactly as printed. It may be a foundation, school, company or other organization.
Search for that organization on your own. Don't use the phone number, web address or reply form printed on the mailing.
On the program's own site, read the eligibility rules, deadline and how to apply. Compare each one with what the mailing says.
If the mailing asks you to pay to apply for a scholarship or to release an award, stop. The FTC warns against those fees. Do not give bank or card details to hold a supposed scholarship.
Ask the student's counselor whether they know the program.

What a match looks like

Check what the sender is selling or awarding. A scholarship application is different from an optional paid search service. The FTC says legitimate search services do not guarantee that you will receive a scholarship or grant.

Use your school’s counselor or financial aid office as another independent check. Do not change existing aid applications or share account credentials because an unverified letter tells you to.

Private verification worksheet

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Administrator named on mailing: [name] Program name: [text] Official page found independently: [yes/no, address] Eligibility rules match mailing: [yes/no, differences] Deadline on official page: [date] Asks for fee or sensitive details: [yes/no] Counselor or aid office asked: [date, answer] Decision: [apply through official page / do not reply]

Make the call

If you can't find the administrator or the official page, or the details don't match, don't reply to the mailing. If the program checks out and the student wants to apply, apply through the program's own page, not the reply form in the mailing.

Official source

FTC: Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams

Check mailed honor-society invitations Respond when a sender asks for extra information Choose between mail-fraud and delivery support routes Schools and student recruitment All practical mail guides

Keep personal records with the organization that handles them

Junk Mail Magic is for ordinary unwanted advertising. Use the official contact route in this guide for records, account changes or someone else’s correspondence.

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