As the cost of college skyrockets, so do the number of scams trying to take advantage of families. With the average cost of a private four-year college topping more than $32,000, more families than ever are on the hunt for scholarships that can help relieve some of that financial burden. Con artists and unscrupulous businesses snare several hundred thousands of unsuspecting students and their families with fraudulent offers every year, to the tune of more than $100 million, according to FinAid.

You don't have to let it happen to you!

Here are a few key tips to get started safely.

1. Check it out from the beginning
You'll know it's a scam if the company claims it will apply for scholarships on your behalf. Every legitimate scholarship will require you to apply yourself. Also, beware of any offer that claims anyone is eligible. All legitimate scholarships have certain criteria you must meet in order to qualify for consideration. The criteria might be broad, but some set of restrictions always applies. And most of all, be aware that it's not right if someone notifies you by phone regarding a scholarship you have been awarded or are eligible for. Almost all legitimate scholarships will notify you by mail.

2. Never pay an upfront fee to apply
If you do, chances are good you'll end up saying "so long" to your money. This type of scam can look very much like a real scholarship program on the surface. In fact, they may even grant a small $500 or $1,000 "scholarship" or two to add to their credibility. But trust us, any scholarship that asks you to pay a fee to apply is not legit. These scams can afford to pay out a few times and still turn a tidy profit since they're pocketing thousands of dollars thanks to those upfront fees they're charging.

3. These scholarships are no "prize"
If you ever receive a notice by mail or phone announcing you've "won" a scholarship award or prize, high tail it outta there. With this type of scam, you'll be told you've won or are a finalist for a scholarship worth thousands of dollars... but wait, there's a catch! Before you can claim your money, you need to pay a redemption fee first.
Don't buy it for a minute. Legitimate scholarships aren't awarded by entering contests or drawing entries out of a hat!

4. You don't need a matchmaker
Steer clear of fee-based scholarship matching, search or consulting services. At best, they're a waste of your hard-earned money. At worst, they are a total rip-off. These services charge you a fee to search for scholarships you might qualify for. But you can access the very same information online for FREE. A quick search of any of the free scholarship databases available online will usually give you 15-20 scholarships that match your criteria.

5. There are no guarantees
The more unscrupulous scholarship matching "services" will make you all kinds of promises that they can't deliver. The most common is guaranteeing to find you a scholarship -- which is complete nonsense.

Thousands of students and their parents are lured into scams claiming "guaranteed" money for college so let's be clear: No one can promise in advance that you will qualify for or be awarded a scholarship. Most often, their so-called guarantee usually refers to them finding you a match, not whether or not you actually get a scholarship.

6. Beware of loans disguised as scholarships
Loans have to be repaid, scholarships don't. These scams ask you to apply for a scholarship (paying a small application fee upfront, or course). One of two things will happen here: Either you'll end up paying the application fee and the company will do a disappearing act, or you'll discover that your supposed application scholarship actually qualified you for a loan which must be repaid.

Keep in mind that a legitimate educational loan will never require an upfront fee. Any fees will simply be deducted from your disbursement check.

7. There's no such thing as"Free" scholarship seminars
When you are on the hunt for college funds, you may get an invitation to a free seminar with a title something along the line of "How to Get a Scholarship for Your College-Bound Child." Truth is, most of these seminars are just a way to get you into a room where you will get a high-pressure pitch to buy something, whether it's a fee-based consulting service, college savings or investing tool, or an overpriced student loan.

Skip the hassle and tap into the tremendous source of free information available online and at your local library or bookstore (get a list of our recommended books and favorite web sites here).

8. Be wary of the "Psst...I know people" boast
If you receive an offer that promises to give you access to "exclusive," "private" or "unique" scholarship information, head for the shredder immediately. Along those same lines, don't believe any pitch that claims they have influence with scholarship sponsors.

Another common lie we can blow out of the water -- "our scholarship database is the biggest." Sure it is... and my dad can beat up your dad.

9. Warning: danger ahead
If you're ever asked in a scholarship application (or by phone) to disclose confidential information such as your Social Security, credit card or bank account numbers, tear up that application or hang up the phone without hesitation.

This is the oldest identity theft scam in the book. Once someone gets that personal info from you, they're that much closer to becoming you... and can apply for new credit cards in your name, can withdraw money from your bank account, and more. No legitimate scholarship will ask for such information on an application.

10. Have a secret weapon against scams
We hope revealing these scams will help you and your family avoid them. But if you are ever in doubt, here's a super simple way to protect yourself: Show the scholarship offer in question to your child's high school guidance counselor or a financial aid officer at a nearby college.

These folks are pros at helping people like you find legitimate scholarships and can usually spot a scam a mile away. And if you get an offer they aren't sure about, you can bet they know exactly how to put it through the wringer to make sure it's legit.

We know figuring out how to afford college can be daunting, but you can do it and we can help! Get our full list of recommended web sites and books here.

Plus, we have lots more college related advice for you at Dolans.com including:

Top 5 Financial Aid Myths
How to Make the Most of a College Visit
An Untapped Resource for College Funding