EWC Financial Aid Office warns of scams targeting students

Several EWC students have recently been targeted by phone for what appears to be a financial aid scam. When students answer the call, they are told that a representative from the U.S. government or an agency from Washington D.C. is authorized to give them substantial financial aid funds for attending school. They are then given a “confirmation code” and either told to call another number with the code or told to respond to an e-mail with the code to receive the funds. One student called the number given and was directed to go to a nearby Seven-Eleven store to buy a pre-paid Visa card to which an additional $9,200 in financial aid money would be loaded, which would require revealing the Visa card’s number and PIN. Students should NOT respond to these calls and should NEVER provide any personal or financial information over the phone or through e-mail.

The Financial Aid Office reminds students that receiving any type of financial aid requires an application process and that funds are handled through the school. Students should NEVER pay to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or scholarship applications. Once awarded, financial aid funds are disbursed to the student’s account at EWC, NOT through a personal credit/debit card or bank account, and the federal government will NEVER place a call to an individual student announcing an award. Students should confirm the legitimacy of any aid offers not directly from the school or a known agency to which the student has applied with EWC’s Financial Aid Office before responding to a phone or e-mailed solicitation.

Please contact EWC’s Financial Aid Office at 307.532.8224 with any questions or concerns, and to report any similar calls.