Cancel Scholarshipowl: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel ScholarshipOwl and get your money back in the philippines

What ScholarshipOwl is and why you might want to cancel

ScholarshipOwl is an online platform that matches you with scholarships and automates the application process. The service is run by Scholarship Services, Inc., a Delaware-based company, and it targets students who want to speed up their scholarship search through workflow automation and centralised dashboard management.

The core promise sounds appealing: create a profile, receive matched scholarships, and use built-in tools to apply faster. However, for students in the Philippines, the real value depends entirely on whether you need application automation or simply want access to a scholarship database. If you only want to search scholarships for free, competitors like Bold.org and Niche Scholarships offer the same core features at zero cost. This means you may be paying for convenience you do not actually need.

The cancellation frustration begins because ScholarshipOwl does not provide a self-serve cancel button on your account dashboard. Instead, you must contact customer support via email or phone, which creates unnecessary delays and confusion, especially when dealing with currency conversions and cross-border billing from the Philippines.

Pricing and what you actually pay in philippine pesos

ScholarshipOwl publishes all prices in U.S. dollars only, which means your actual charge in Philippine pesos fluctuates based on your bank's exchange rate and any international transaction fees your card issuer adds. The standard plan costs USD 20.00 per month after your 7-day free trial expires automatically.

The company offers a VIP tier as well, which includes a personal account manager, monthly essay reviews, and premium content access. However, exact Philippine pricing for this tier is not clearly advertised on their website, making it hard to budget upfront.

Critical point: ScholarshipOwl does not offer refunds after you cancel. Therefore, your safest approach is to cancel before your next billing date, not after the charge appears on your bank statement.

The most common reasons students cancel

Tocancel hears from users regularly about unexpected charges after a free trial, lack of relevant scholarships for non-US residents, poor customer service response times, and confusion over what they are actually paying for. Many students believe they are purchasing access to exclusive scholarships, when in reality the paid tier mainly provides automation tools and support, not hidden scholarship opportunities.

If you live in the Philippines, another significant pain point is that ScholarshipOwl focuses heavily on US-based scholarships and US college admissions. If you are searching for scholarships outside the United States or specifically within the Philippines, you will find better results from local scholarship databases operated by Philippine universities and foundations. This means the service may simply not match your actual needs.

Your consumer rights in the philippines

The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects you when you purchase services online, including subscription platforms like ScholarshipOwl.

What the law gives you

Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, you have the right to receive accurate information about what you are buying, including price, terms, and cancellation policy. The law also protects you from misleading advertising and unfair contract terms. This means ScholarshipOwl cannot hide cancellation procedures or charge you without clear consent.

Your legal position is strong: any subscription service must allow you to cancel, and the company must provide a clear, documented way to do so. If ScholarshipOwl does not list cancellation steps on their website or Terms of Use, this violates your rights under the Consumer Act.

If the company refuses to refund you after you cancel, or if they continue charging you despite your cancellation request, you can file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group. The DTI enforces the Consumer Act and has authority to investigate unfair business practices and order refunds.

What to document before you cancel

Before you take action, gather the following evidence to protect yourself. Screenshot your account dashboard showing your subscription plan, billing date, and any charges. Save your account registration email confirmation. If you contacted customer support previously, keep copies of all emails or support tickets. This documentation becomes crucial if you need to escalate a complaint to the DTI.

Having clear records means the DTI can verify your claim quickly and the company cannot deny they received your cancellation request.

How to cancel ScholarshipOwl step by step

The cancellation process requires contacting customer support directly, as there is no self-serve option on your account dashboard.

Method one: email cancellation (recommended)

Email gives you a written record of your cancellation request, which is essential if disputes arise later. This method is the most reliable way to prove you cancelled before your next billing date.

1. Log into your ScholarshipOwl account at www.scholarshipowl.com
2. Locate your registered email address in your account settings
3. Open your email client and send a cancellation request to ScholarshipOwl support
   • Address: [email protected] (or the support email listed in their Privacy Policy)
   • Subject line: "Cancellation Request for Account [Your Email Address]"
   • Body: Include your full name, registered email, current subscription plan, and the phrase "I request immediate cancellation of my ScholarshipOwl subscription effective today" plus today's date
4. Request a cancellation confirmation email from them
5. Save the confirmation email to your device or cloud storage for your records
6. Check your bank account in 3-5 business days to confirm no new charge appears

Method two: phone contact

If you prefer to speak with someone directly, phone contact may be faster, but remember to take notes and request written confirmation by email afterward.

1. Find ScholarshipOwl's phone number on their website or in your account settings
2. Call during their posted business hours (US Eastern Time)
3. Clearly state: "I want to cancel my subscription immediately and request confirmation by email"
4. Ask for the support agent's name and the call date and time
5. After the call, send a follow-up email to ScholarshipOwl support confirming what you discussed and requesting written cancellation confirmation
6. Do not rely on the phone call alone; insist on email confirmation

Method three: formal notice via registered mail (if other methods fail)

If customer support ignores your email or phone request within 7 days, escalate with a formal cancellation notice sent to their registered address.

1. Prepare a formal letter on plain paper stating:
   • Your full name and account email address
   • Your current subscription plan and billing date
   • The date of your initial cancellation request (email or phone)
   • A clear statement: "I hereby request immediate cancellation of my subscription effective immediately. Please confirm cancellation in writing within 3 business days."
   • Your current contact information
2. Mail this letter via registered mail to: Scholarship Services, Inc., 831 N Tatnall Street Suite M #224, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, USA
3. Keep the registered mail receipt as proof of delivery
4. Document the mail tracking number in a spreadsheet with the date sent
5. Wait 10 business days for a response

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation does not happen instantly, and understanding the timeline protects you from unexpected charges.

Immediate actions after cancellation

Once you submit your cancellation request, ScholarshipOwl should process it within 1-2 business days. Your access to the platform may end immediately or at the end of your current billing period, depending on when you cancelled within the cycle.

Check your account 24 hours after cancellation to confirm the service is no longer active. If your account still shows active subscription features, send a follow-up email to support asking for confirmation that your access has been disabled.

Monitoring your bank account

This is critical: watch your bank statement and credit card statement closely for 30 days after cancellation. Some companies fail to stop recurring charges immediately, and you must catch this quickly to file a chargeback with your bank.

If a charge appears after your cancellation date, take these steps immediately. Contact your bank or credit card issuer and request a chargeback or dispute for an unauthorised charge. Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation email or letter. You have the legal right to dispute the charge within 60 days of the transaction.

Account deactivation and data

After cancellation, ScholarshipOwl may retain your account data for 30-90 days before permanent deletion, as stated in their Privacy Policy. You can request permanent data deletion by emailing [email protected] with the subject "Request for Data Deletion."

If you wish to download your data before deletion, request this in the same email: "Please provide a copy of all my personal data in ScholarshipOwl's system before permanent deletion."

Refunds and your money back

ScholarshipOwl does not offer refunds for partial or full subscription periods after cancellation, according to their Terms of Use.

When you might get a refund anyway

Refunds are possible in limited circumstances. If ScholarshipOwl charged your card twice in the same billing cycle by mistake, you can request a refund for the duplicate charge. If you cancelled within the free trial period before any charge was processed, there is nothing to refund. If you cancelled within 14 days of signing up and did not use the service significantly, you may argue under Philippine consumer protection principles that you deserve a cooling-off refund, though ScholarshipOwl does not advertise this.

To request a refund, send an email to [email protected] with the subject "Refund Request for [Your Email]" and explain the specific reason you qualify for a refund. Include copies of your bank statement showing the charge(s).

If ScholarshipOwl refuses your refund

Document the refusal in writing. If the company refuses to refund a duplicate charge or a charge made after your cancellation request, file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group. You can do this online via the DTI website or by visiting your regional DTI office. The DTI will investigate and can order ScholarshipOwl to refund you if the company violated your rights.

Include copies of your cancellation request email, bank statement, and ScholarshipOwl's refusal email when you file your DTI complaint.

Common cancellation traps and mistakes

Many students regret how they cancel because they did not know the pitfalls. Here is how to avoid the same mistakes.

Trap one: assuming your free trial will not auto-convert to paid

The 7-day free trial converts automatically to a USD 20.00 monthly charge on day 8 unless you cancel before day 7 ends. Do not assume inactivity stops the charge. Mark your calendar now: if you signed up on the 15th, cancel by the 22nd. Tocancel recommends setting a phone reminder for 3 days before the trial ends so you do not forget.

Trap two: expecting a self-serve cancel button on your dashboard

Unlike most modern subscription services, ScholarshipOwl does not offer a one-click cancellation in your account settings. This forces you to contact support manually, which delays the process and increases the risk of a missed deadline. Plan ahead and submit your cancellation request 5 days before your billing date, not on the day itself.

Trap three: contacting ScholarshipOwl via social media or third-party websites

Messages sent to ScholarshipOwl's social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram) are not official cancellation requests and leave no formal record. Always use email or phone as listed on their official website or in your account settings. This protects you legally if you need to escalate to the DTI or your bank.

Trap four: cancelling but forgetting to verify the charge stopped

Some students cancel via email, assume it is done, and then are shocked to see another charge 30 days later. Your responsibility is to verify. Check your account 24 hours after cancellation and again on your billing date. If a new charge appears, report it immediately to your bank as an unauthorised charge and provide your cancellation email as evidence.

Trap five: using a VPN or different device and losing access to your cancellation confirmation email

If you received your cancellation confirmation email on a work or shared computer, forward that email to your personal email account immediately. Store it in a separate folder labeled "Cancelled Subscriptions" so you can find it later if needed for a refund dispute or DTI complaint.

Preventing future unwanted charges

After you cancel, take steps to protect yourself from accidental re-enrollment or misleading marketing.

Check your account monthly

Log into your email account and search for "ScholarshipOwl" in your inbox to watch for any renewal notices or promotional emails encouraging you to reactivate. Do not click any links in these emails, as they may automatically restart your subscription.

Review your bank statement quarterly

Set a calendar reminder to review your credit card or bank statement every three months and search for any ScholarshipOwl charges. Report unexpected charges to your bank within 60 days of the transaction.

Update your payment method or card if you switch banks

If you change banks or get a new card after cancellation, consider notifying ScholarshipOwl that your old payment details are no longer valid. This prevents them from attempting to charge an outdated card number, which sometimes reactivates old subscriptions.

Pricing comparison and alternatives

Before cancelling, confirm whether ScholarshipOwl truly offers value that free competitors cannot match, or whether you are paying for features you do not use.

If you are based in the Philippines and seeking scholarships, contact your university's financial aid office or scholarship department directly. Many Philippine universities offer merit scholarships and need-based aid that are not listed on US-focused platforms like ScholarshipOwl.

Contact information and escalation

If ScholarshipOwl refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, use these contact details to file a formal complaint with consumer protection authorities.

ScholarshipOwl's official mailing address

Scholarship Services, Inc.
831 N Tatnall Street Suite M #224
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
USA

Use this address for formal cancellation notices, refund requests, or complaints if email and phone support fail to respond within 7 business days.

Department of trade and industry (DTI) complaint process

If ScholarshipOwl violates your consumer rights under Republic Act No. 7394, file a complaint with the DTI Consumer Protection Group. You can file online at www.dti.gov.ph or visit your regional DTI office. Include copies of your cancellation request, any refusal responses, and bank statements showing disputed charges. The DTI will contact ScholarshipOwl and investigate your complaint at no cost to you.

Your bank's dispute process is often faster than DTI resolution. Contact your credit card issuer or bank immediately if an unauthorised charge appears after cancellation, and request a chargeback within 60 days of the transaction.

Final steps to cancel and protect yourself

Tocancel has guided thousands of consumers through subscription cancellations, and the path forward is clear: act before your billing date, get written confirmation, and monitor your bank account. You have consumer rights under Philippine law, and ScholarshipOwl must honour your cancellation request or face regulatory action from the DTI.

Your action plan is simple. First, identify your next billing date by logging into your ScholarshipOwl account today. Second, send a formal cancellation email to [email protected] at least 5 days before that date. Third, save the confirmation email and screenshot your account to prove you cancelled. Fourth, check your bank statement on your billing date and 10 days after to confirm no charge appears. If an unauthorised charge does appear, contact your bank immediately and file a dispute.

Tocancel recommends using the email method because it creates a permanent record that protects you legally. Phone contact is faster but leaves no paper trail. If you need to escalate to the DTI or your bank, email documentation is essential.

You are not stuck with ScholarshipOwl. The Consumer Act of the Philippines guarantees your right to cancel, and Tocancel is here to help you understand your rights and take confident action. If you encounter resistance from the company, file a complaint with the DTI-that is what the regulatory system exists for.

Act today, cancel before your next billing date, and take back control of your money. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorised charges. You can do the same.