I have experience to be the victim of a large-scale scam, so I'm hypervigilant about detecting deception. While searching for scholarships to post on this page, I came across a very promising opportunity on a website. I typically evaluate scholarships based on four criteria: full funding, country, level of study, and whether the deadline has passed. This particular scholarship seemed ideal, as it offered a Bachelor's degree, which is rare. So, despite my suspect, I plan to post it and then create a short video as usual.
The scholarship was incredibly appealing, promising to cover all major expenses like tuition and a stipend. They were even hosting the Brainiacs World Scholarship Program 2025 Summit. The details seemed too good to be true, and I couldn't shake the feeling something was amiss. Fearful of promoting a fraudulent scholarship and misleading potential students, I conducted thorough research. Ultimately, I concluded it was a scholarship scam.
Factors Indicating a Potential Scam
(1) Who is the Provider?
Many scholarships are offered by governments, foundations, universities, businesses, and other organizations. It's concerning when the scholarship's provider is unidentified. Legitimate scholarships typically provide detailed information about the sponsoring organization, its mission, and the scholarship's purpose. Some even outline post-graduation expectations for recipients.
(2) Unreliable Website Information
I investigated the scholarship's official website (https://fully-fundedscholarships.com/). However, the "About Us" section focused on the website itself, not the scholarship provider. This raised red flags. Legitimate scholarship websites typically provide details about the sponsoring organization. Additionally, the presence of only one scholarship listing is unusual.
(3) Overemphasis on Benefits and Lack of Transparency
Scams often prioritize highlighting enticing benefits to lure potential victims. This scholarship's focus on advantages without disclosing essential details is a red flag. The absence of fees, while seemingly positive, can be a tactic to build trust before making unexpected demands. Identifying the specific nature of a scam can be challenging due to their evolving methods.
(4) Lack of Program History and Sponsorship
Most scholarships are offered annually. For project-based scholarships, the funding organization typically outlines the project's start and end dates. This scholarship lacks information about previous iterations or any supporting organization. This absence of historical data is highly suspicious.
(5) Lack of Transparency and Promotion
If this scholarship is a new initiative, it's surprising that there's minimal information about its launch or the organization behind it. Given the significant financial investment involved in global education, one would expect a more substantial promotional effort, including informational sessions and detailed explanations of the scholarship's purpose and criteria. The ease of online communication and event hosting makes the absence of such activities even more questionable.
(6) Questionable Application Process
The use of a Google Form for such a substantial scholarship is unusual. Reputable scholarship programs often invest in dedicated application portals to manage the process effectively. Alternatively, they might partner with universities to leverage existing application systems and admissions procedures. The simplicity of using a Google Form raises concerns about the scholarship's legitimacy and the seriousness of the selection process.
(7) Inconsistent and Unprofessional Application Requirements
The application process became even more suspicious when the Google form requested applicants to submit either a study plan, research proposal, or statement of purpose in a single response. This approach is atypical of legitimate scholarship programs, which typically require separate submissions for each document with specific guidelines. The lack of clarity and professionalism in this requirement further reinforces the belief that this is a scam.
(8) Lack of Online Presence and Verifiable Recipients
The absence of any information about previous recipients or online discussions related to the scholarship is highly suspicious. Legitimate scholarships typically generate some level of online presence, whether through social media, news articles, or recipient testimonials. The complete lack of such evidence reinforces the likelihood of a scam.
(9) Non-Existent Summit
Despite further investigation, the advertised "Brainiacs World Scholarship Program 2025 Summit" proved to be non-existent. A thorough search using various keywords yielded no results, confirming that this event is fabricated. This lack of credibility further strengthens the conclusion that the entire scholarship is a scam.
Putting it All Together: Why This Scholarship is Likely a Scam
By analyzing the various red flags, we can confidently conclude that the "Brainiacs World Scholarship Program 2025" is likely a scam. This information is intended to empower scholarship seekers to be cautious and avoid such traps.
Important Note:
Do not apply to this scholarship, even if you suspect it's a scam. Engaging with scammers can lead to wasted time and potential security risks.
Figure 1: Screenshot of the scholarship website
Figure 2: Screenshot of the official website
Figure 3: Screenshot of the summit venue announcement
Figure 4: Screenshot of the apply now page
Figure 5: Screenshot of the study plan, or research proposal, or SOP request
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