Private Scholarships are scholarships offered by providers who are not directly affiliated with Western Illinois University and the recipients may or may not be WIU students. There are many private scholarships available, as well as national scholarship search organizations. However, it is important that you educate yourself with the scholarship provider ensure the company is reputable before completing an application. Because these scholarships are through private sources, the WIU Scholarship Office cannot always verify their validity.

http://www.wiu.edu/qc/scholarships/PrivateScholarships.php

Avoid Scholarship Scams

Be aware of financial scams when researching and applying for private scholarships. Avoid scholarship agencies and applications that require a fee, guarantee financial assistance, or require attendance at a seminar. Be wary of completing an application or process that asks for personal information such as bank account number, credit card number, or Social Security number. Read the fine print!