How to Identify and Avoid JEE Main Scholarship Scams

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of India’s most competitive entrance exams for students aspiring to pursue a UG degree in engineering. Every year, over 13 lakh students register for JEE Main, all with the dream of making it into top institutes like the IITs, NITs, IIITs, CFTIs and private colleges/universities pan India. However, amidst the rush to prepare, secure ranks, and explore funding options, many students unknowingly become targets of scholarship scams. Let’s understand this with the help of an example.

Arjun, a bright student from Jharkhand, secured 95% in his Class 12 board exams and was preparing for JEE Main with the hope of getting into NIT Rourkela. One day, he received an email claiming that he had been “pre-selected for a ₹1,00,000 JEE scholarship.” The email appeared official, with a digital logo and even a helpline number. All he had to do was pay ₹1,500 as a processing fee. Eager and financially stressed, Arjun paid the amount. However, days turned into weeks with no response. The phone number provided in the email was deactivated, and his emails bounced back. It was then that he realized his money was gone. Worse still, he felt so embarrassed that he stopped trusting any scholarship updates, even legitimate ones.

Arjun’s experience is not unique. Fraudulent entities often pose as legitimate organizations, luring students with attractive promises of financial assistance, especially those who are in dire need. These scams not only cause financial loss but also demoralize students and cause setbacks in their academic journey.

Why are JEE Aspirants Primary Targets for Scammers?

JEE aspirants are often targeted by scammers for several reasons. A few common reasons are:

High Stress and Pressure: JEE Main aspirants are usually under significant academic and emotional pressure due to the competition and the high stakes involved. This makes them more vulnerable to fraudulent offers that promise easy financial assistance or scholarships.
Desperate Need for Financial Assistance: Many JEE Main aspirants from economically disadvantaged backgrounds often look for ways to fund their education. And scammers exploit this desperation by offering scholarships or financial assistance that seem too good to be true.
Lack of Awareness: Not all students and parents are well-versed in recognizing potential scams. The lack of awareness about genuine scholarship programs or student loan options leaves them vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
Creating Urgent Need and False Promises: Scammers create a sense of urgency by claiming limited-time offers or requiring quick actions like upfront payment for processing fees. This urgency manipulates students to make immediate decisions.
Online Presence and Social Media: These scammers often target JEE students through social media platforms, emails, and websites, where it’s easier to access details of a large audience. The reach of these scams is increased by the ease of spreading misinformation online.
Trust in Authority: Scammers often create fake websites or emails that appear verified, mimicking official JEE or educational institute communications. Since students are looking for information from trusted sources, they are more likely to believe and act on these fraudulent messages.

Also Check: JEE Main Scholarship Interest Form 2025

Common Types of Scholarship Scams

Scholarship scams refers to the fraudulent schemes that target students and their families with a promise of guaranteed financial help or educational funding in the form of scholarship or instant student loan. Below are some common types of scholarship scams:

Scholarship scams are unfortunately common among JEE Main students, as they are often targeted due to their academic aspirations and the high demand for financial support. Here are some common types of scholarship scams targeting JEE Main students, along with real-life instances:

Fake Scholarship Websites: Scammers create fake websites that look like official scholarship portals, offering scholarships for JEE Main students. They often ask for a fee or personal details (like Aadhaar number or bank account details) in exchange for the scholarship.

Source: India Today
Real Life Example: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted coordinated raids on March 4, 2023, across 19 locations in Delhi-NCR, Pune, Jamshedpur, Indore, and Bangalore, as part of its ongoing probe into the 2021 Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main paper manipulation case. The operation uncovered 25 laptops, seven desktops, approximately 30 post-dated cheques, and numerous incriminating documents, including provisional degree certificates and mark sheets. The CBI is questioning several individuals in connection with the case. In September 2021, the agency had charged Affinity Education Pvt Ltd and its directors for allegedly facilitating cheating during the online examination.

Scholarships that Charge Upfront Fees: Some organizations offer “guaranteed” scholarships but ask for upfront payments for “processing,” “application,” or “registration” fees. After payment, the scholarship is either never awarded, or the organization disappears.

Real-Life Example: In 2019, a fraudulent scholarship platform targeted students preparing for JEE Main, claiming to offer a “100% fee waiver” if students paid a registration fee of ₹2,000. After receiving the money, the platform stopped responding, and no scholarships were awarded.

Phishing Scams through Emails and Social Media: Scammers often send fake scholarship offers via email, SMS, or social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. They impersonate official bodies and ask for personal details or payment to process the scholarship amount.

Source: NDTV Education
Real-Life Example: The National Testing Agency (NTA) issued a warning regarding a fraudulent website, jeeguide.co.in, which was impersonating the official JEE Main 2021 portal. The site solicited online applications and fee payments from prospective candidates.

NTA clarified that it had no affiliation with this website, email address (info@jeeguide.co.in), or mobile number (9311245307). The official platform for JEE Main 2021 registration was jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates were advised to report any such fraudulent sites to their local police or cybercrime cell and to email grievances to grievance@nta.ac.in.

Scholarship Offers in Exchange for Coaching Fees: Some fake scholarship providers claim that students will receive a full or partial scholarship, if they enroll in a particular coaching institute or pay a certain fee for coaching service charges.

Source: Hindustan Times

Real-Life Example: A coaching institute in Thane was accused of duping JEE aspirants of over ₹3 crore. The institute, which had branches across India, allegedly collected fees from students since January 2024 but abruptly shut down operations without delivering the promised coaching. When students demanded refunds, they were reportedly threatened. Around 80 victims were identified, though the actual number was believed to be higher. The Thane police registered a case against eight officials from the institute’s Thane, Mumbai, and Delhi branches under various sections of the new criminal code, including cheating and criminal breach of trust.

Phone Call Scams: Fraudsters call students pretending to be from legitimate scholarship organizations or educational bodies, claiming the student has been selected for a scholarship but requires a payment to process it.

Source: The Times of India

Real-Life Example: In September 2021, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested seven individuals from Affinity Education, a private consultancy firm, for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme in the JEE (Main) examination. The firm charged candidates up to ₹15 lakh, promising assured admissions into top engineering colleges. Their method involved hiring “solvers” who, with the assistance of complicit exam center staff, remotely accessed candidates’ computer terminals using remote access software to answer questions during the exam. Candidates were instructed to simulate participation to avoid detection. The CBI is investigating further, examining financial transactions and potential hawala links.

Impersonation of Government Scholarship Agencies: Scammers impersonate government agencies, claiming they are offering government-funded scholarships for JEE Main students. They trick students into filling out fake forms or paying fees.

Source: The New Indian Express

Real-Life Example: In 2019, a scholarship scam in Tamil Nadu targeted parents of school students, particularly those in Classes 10 and 12. Fraudsters, posing as government officials, contacted parents via WhatsApp, informing them that their children had received scholarships. They sent fake QR codes for parents to scan, which led to unauthorized withdrawals of funds from their accounts. Victims reported losses ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000. In response, the state’s school education department issued directives to Chief Educational Officers to raise awareness among parents, clarifying that the department would never request personal or banking information over the phone. Investigations were underway in affected districts like Tirunelveli.

Scholarships for a Fee to Secure Admission: Scammers may offer fake scholarships in exchange for the payment of fees for “guaranteed” admission to top colleges.

Source: The India Express

Real-Life Example: An investigation by The Indian Express uncovered a widespread scam involving the diversion of pre-matric scholarships meant for poor minority students. In Bihar, fake beneficiaries were listed under Kendriya Vidyalaya Nazira, an actual school located in Assam, with at least 39 fraudulent entries across six districts. The school’s principal confirmed these were not their students. The scam involved middlemen, bank correspondents, and school staff who stole IDs and passwords to access the National Scholarship Portal, creating fake beneficiaries to siphon off funds. This highlights significant lapses in the verification process of scholarship disbursements.

How to Avoid Scholarship Scams?

Avoiding scholarship scams is crucial for JEE Main students to ensure that they receive legitimate financial assistance. Here are several tips to help students protect themselves from such scams:

Verify the Legitimacy of the Scholarship: To protect yourself from potential JEE Main scholarship scams, it is important to prioritize verification through official channels or sources. Always cross-check scholarship details with reliable educational websites, including the Ministry of Education, relevant state government portals, or the official JEE Main website. Additionally, take time to thoroughly research the background of the organization offering the scholarship to understand its reputation and reliability, while ensuring that it is a well-established and recognized entity. Finally, maintain a healthy skepticism towards offers that appear overly generous or too good to be true.
Check for Secure Websites: When applying for online scholarships, it’s important to verify the security of the website offering the opportunity. Also, ensure that the website uses a secure URL, indicated by “https://” at the beginning of the link. Scam websites often lack secure protocols and may display suspicious or unusual URLs. Furthermore, be cautious of unsolicited emails. Scammers frequently send emails claiming ‘you’ve won a scholarship’, prompting you to click on a link to claim it. It is recommended to always verify the legitimacy of such emails before taking any action to avoid falling victim to fraud.
Read Reviews and Testimonials: When considering a scholarship opportunity, it’s important to search for reviews or testimonials from students who have previously received it. Exploring social media groups, forums, and educational websites can provide valuable feedback from past recipients. Additionally, consulting trusted sources such as teachers, counselors, or fellow students who may be familiar with the scholarship program can help you gain a deeper understanding and make an informed decision.
Check for Official Approvals and Recognition: It is important to verify whether the scholarship is endorsed or supported by recognized educational institutions, government agencies, or reputable private organizations.
Beware of Fake Testimonials or Success Stories: Scammers frequently use fake testimonials or success stories to lure in more students. It’s crucial to cross-check these stories to ensure their authenticity and prevent any fabrications.

Also Read: Low Rank in JEE Main? Don’t Worry – Here’s How You Can Still Study Engineering with Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the common signs of a JEE scholarship scam, and how can I identify them early?

Common signs include unrealistic promises (like 100% scholarships), upfront fee demands, lack of transparency, and no clear eligibility criteria. Always verify the scholarship provider’s credibility and be cautious of requests for unnecessary personal information.

How can I verify if a JEE scholarship program is legitimate or a scam?

Check the scholarship provider’s official website, look for affiliations with recognized institutions, read third-party reviews, and contact the organization through verified channels to confirm authenticity and transparency.

Are there any red flags in scholarship emails or messages that signal a scam?

Red flags include poor grammar, urgency to act quickly, unsolicited offers, strange email addresses, and requests for excessive personal information. Legitimate scholarships maintain professional communication without pressuring students.

What steps should I take if I suspect a JEE Main scholarship offer is a scam?

Avoid sharing personal information, report the scam to cybercrime authorities, contact the provider through official channels for verification, document communications, and warn others to stay alert.

How can I ensure that my personal and financial information is secure while applying for JEE scholarships online?

Apply through secure HTTPS websites, verify the scholarship’s authenticity, use strong and unique passwords, avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks, read privacy policies carefully, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.