In today’s world scholarship websites are abundant in society, so many of them have inaccurate applications, useless resources, and even scams! Entering Scholarship Owl is a platform that promises to make applying for scholarships easier by using one profile to apply for multiple opportunities. But there are so many scholarship websites making grand promises it is fair to check safe or not.
What is a Scholarship Owl?
Scholarship Owl is a scholarship-matching and application service to help students simplify the process of finding and applying for multiple scholarships at once.
Rather than submitting dozens of forms, users fill out one profile which the platform uses to auto-fill scholarship applications, saving time and work.
The platform was created to eliminate redundant paperwork and help students have a central platform to organize all their scholarship applications. It’s one of the more familiar names in the business, but name recognition does not guarantee legitimacy.
How Does Scholarship Owl Work?
As always, understanding how Scholarship Owl works is critical to determining whether it lives up to the hype. The process is fairly simple:
- The first step is signing up: Students sign up for free with an email address or connect their Google account.
- Profile Creation: Users fill out a comprehensive student profile, including academic interests, demographics, and financial needs.
- Scholarship Matching: Based on this data the platform pairs students with any scholarships they are eligible to apply for.
- Auto-application factor: Its ability to auto-apply to specific scholarships for the user makes Scholarship Owl stand out, drastically reducing the manual process of application.
This feature can be a godsend for students who are daunted by the time commitment needed to apply for multi-step scholarships.
Is Scholarship Owl Legit or a Scam?
So, now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get to the heart of the matter: Is Scholarship Owl legit or simply a scam trying to cash in on students’ dreams? Evidence from recent data, genuine user reviews and company disclosure suggests that Scholarship Owl is not a scam.
- The company has obvious business model: It has a free version, but also paid members, so it’s not just being bankrolled by third-party “ad partners” that elicit all kinds of concerns.
- Another good sign is their privacy policy and terms of service which are published.
- They don’t guarantee scholarships they merely assist with access and applications, and they make that distinction clear.
So no, it’s not a scam but that doesn’t mean it’s flawless.
Is Scholarship Owl Safe to Use?
The site is SSL encrypted, and according to their privacy policy, they do not provide personal information to third-party marketers. That’s good for user privacy.
That said, note that you are sharing your data with scholarship providers when applying for several scholarships not everyone may be okay with doing this.
Scholarship Owl Reviews & Real User Experiences
Opinions are mixed but fairly positive as far as Scholarship Owl reviews go. Students appreciate the platform’s convenience and its extensive database of scholarships. One user reported saving hours by using the auto-apply feature, and others lauded the user-friendly dashboard.
However, a few negative reviews mention Scholarship Owl’s complaints about receiving marketing emails from scholarship sponsors or Marketing Partners. But it is part of the process, and the users should know how their information is being used.”
Scholarship Owl Cost and Membership Options
The platform has free and premium tiers of service:
- All Access version: Provides full functionality and unlimited scholarship matches.
- Premium membership: $20 to $30 per month (and upward), which provides the ability to auto-apply to jobs and use tracking tools, among other perks, and access to exclusive scholarships.
For students looking to fully automate the process, the paid tier is likely worth it but for those on a small budget, Canvas is still solid value at their free offering.
Customer Support and User Complaints
You can reach Scholarship Owl customer service by email and most users said they received a quick reply. Surprisingly, there are some complaints about difficulty cancelling or refunding their premium membership. That isn’t unusual with subscription-based services, but it is something that users should take into account when debating a paid upgrade.
Scholarship Owl BBB Rating
According to the Scholarship Owl BBB rating (Better® Business Bureau) results, those are on an average B or B+ level. This means that the company has seen some customer complaints, but it shows that the company has worked to address them. A less-than-great BBB score may not be a dealbreaker, but it should be considered in assessing credibility.
Pros and Cons of Using Scholarship Owl
Pros
- Streamlined application process
- Use of auto-apply which saves a lot of time
- Loyola University Chicago Benefacts® National Scholarship Program.
- Customizable profile
Cons
- Premium membership cost
- You may get marketing emails
- No promise of a scholarship win
Comparison with Other Legit Scholarship Websites
Scholarship Owl provides a more automated process for matching you to free money than some other legit scholarship websites such as Fastweb, Chegg Scholarships, or Cappex. While Fastweb and similar platforms are free and offer manual searches, Scholarship Owl’s advantage is convenience.
For students searching for the best scholarship websites, it may be worthwhile to use multiple platforms in combination use Scholarship Owl for mass applications and rise above it all with free sites for more intimate searches.
Tips for Finding Scholarships Online
Here are some general tips for finding scholarships online, no matter what platform you’re on:
- Use caution with any site that promises a scholarship
- Start by opening multiple platforms for increased exposure
- Please note the eligibility criteria carefully before applying
- Don’t overlook smaller local scholarships they often have less competition
Conclusion
So to sum it all up is the Scholarship Owl legit? Yes, it is. Its not perfect, but it provides a great service for students that need assistance navigating the exhaustive world of scholarship applications. The platform is safe and transparent and designed to assist, not trick.
That said, students need to go in with realistic expectations. It’s not a “press this button to get paid” button, of course, but it can be a useful tool, particularly for people looking to maximize their chances with minimal time investment.
