Recently, several of our students have received a mailing from Edifi-College Financial Aid Services.  The mailing advertises a “Special Invitation” to attend a free personal interview to gather information and help with college financial aid and the college admissions process.   

Please be aware that though the interview with Edifi personnel is free, the services they offer are not “free.”  In talking to a representative from Edifi, it was shared that during the interview process advertised in their mailing, families will be offered college planning and financial aid assistance at a cost of $1595.  Also, after talking with the representative, it became evident that the services they offered are similar to those currently provided free of charge to Salem High School students through the Washington County Community Foundation and College Cost Estimator.  Much of the same information is available through the high school guidance office as well.  Applying for college financial aid should be a free process.  For more information on protection from scholarship scams, go to www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml. 

I wanted you to be aware of the information I found out today after a student presented the invitation to me.  According to the Better Business Bureau, Edifi is NOT an accredited business with their organization and they have received 173 complaints against Edifi in the past 36 months.  Furthermore, Edifi College Financial Services has been given a grade of “F” based on the Better Business Bureau grading scale.

Please contact me if you have questions about the information presented in this letter.

Thank you,

Christine Mahuron

Counselor, SMS

812-883-3808

cmahuron@salemschools.com