Many so-called scholarship and financial aid "services" charge large fees by promising to help students and families find money to attend various colleges and universities — including UT Austin. But beware! Students and parents often complain they do not receive what they expect from such services. In fact, the service being offered is often a chance to pay for financial aid or financial aid information that can actually be obtained for free.

The University of Texas at Austin does not endorse or work with any scholarship or financial aid search services that charge a fee of any kind. If a service says UT Austin endorses or works with it, please report it to UT Austin's Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) immediately by calling (512) 475-6282.

There are many scholarship opportunities available through community organizations, local professional associations, unions, alumni associations, and other groups intending to benefit particular populations. The best source of free information about such scholarships is your high school guidance office. Information is also available at local libraries, bookstores, and through free Internet search engines.

See the following for scholarship and financial aid applications available at no charge:

• ApplyTexas Application for Admissions.
  A portion of this application collects information for scholarships offered to entering UT Austin Freshmen. Be sure to complete this application by December 1 to be considered for 2011-12 Freshman scholarships.
• TexasScholarships.org web site.
  UT Austin's Continuing & Transfer Student Scholarship Application is available from this OSFS web site in early November. Continuing and transfer students interested in 2011-12 UT Austin scholarships should complete this application by April 1.
• This web site also directs current and prospective UT Austin students to other scholarship opportunities at UT Austin, in addition to scholarships awarded by entities outside the University.
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
  The 2011-2012 FAFSA application is available beginning January 1. The priority deadline to be considered for maximum grant eligibility at UT Austin is March 31.

For more information on scholarship and financial aid scams, check with the Federal Trade Commission.