SAN DIEGO, Updated 9:53 p.m. PST December 20, 2000 -- The deadline is approaching for high school students to apply for financial aid for college.

Students all over San Diego County have received official looking mailings about scholarship seminars. Although these seminars are free, former customers say that they are actually high-pressure sales seminars with a big price tag.

Troubleshooter Marti Emerald reports that Danny Cisnaros, a Mar Vista senior, paid $995 at a seminar. Nalani Paralejas, a Sweetwater senior, agreed to pay $700 at a seminar. Walter Jiminez, an Eastlake senior, paid $995.

According to the Troubleshooter, all that Cisnaros and Jiminez got for their money was application papers and video tapes.

According to high school counselors students can get the same information for free.

So many students have received seminar solicitations, that counselors at Sweetwater High School in National City have posted a warning.

The Troubleshooter found three out-of-state companies conducting seminars at motels here in San Diego.

National Student Financial Aide, a Nevada company, has generated 52 complaints to the Better Business Bureau.

The BBB says that Texas-based College Financial Aid Services of America, also known as College Resource Management, has a "pattern of complaints" about "misrepresented service" and "refunds."

A third company, The College Funding Group, also located in Texas, is a member of the Better Business Bureau in good standing.

The Federal Trade Commission also has concerns about the traveling financial aid seminars and issued a consumer alert, warning students about "high pressure sales pitches at seminars."

According to the Federal Trade Commission, no one can guarantee that they'll get you a grant or scholarship.

What should you do if you need money for college?

The FTC suggests that you check with your school guidance counselor or local librarian for free information about current scholarships before you pay someone for the same -- or similar -- scholarship lists.

Additional Resources:

• Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Alert
• Get the Federal Trade Commission's 6 Signs That Your Scholarship Is Sunk