Brazil Visa Requirements for US and Canadian Citizens. In 2025, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), South Africa’s largest provider of student financial support, issued a critical warning to all current and prospective beneficiaries. With nearly one million students funded by NSFAS this year, cybercriminals are actively targeting students with phishing scams posing a major threat to both financial security and academic success.
Rise in Phishing Scams Targeting NSFAS Students
In recent weeks, a wave of fraudulent SMS messages and emails has been reported by students, particularly those studying at universities and TVET colleges. These fake messages often include malicious links that prompt students to verify or update their banking details. NSFAS has confirmed that these are not legitimate requests and urged students to stay vigilant.
“We have been informed of an ongoing cyber scam targeting NSFAS-funded students,” the scheme said in a statement. “Scammers send SMSes and emails requesting students to verify their banking details through a link.”
What Is NSFAS and What Does It Cover?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a South African government initiative that offers comprehensive financial aid to eligible students. This includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Monthly food allowances
- Accommodation costs
- Learning materials and transport
In 2025, NSFAS will support almost 1 million students enrolled in public universities and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges.
NSFAS Allowance Payments: How Students Receive Their Funds
Understanding how NSFAS allowances are paid can help students avoid falling into the trap of phishing scams.
University Students
University students receive their allowances via their institutions. Although NSFAS had planned to start paying university students directly, this process has been delayed due to a court ruling. Students are advised to liaise with their university’s financial aid office for payment dates and channels.
TVET College Students
For TVET students, NSFAS handles payments directly. To receive allowances, students must upload their banking details to the myNSFAS portal.
How to Upload Banking Details on myNSFAS Portal (For TVET Students)
To avoid payment delays, students must ensure their banking details are up to date. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for TVET students:
- Visit the official myNSFAS portal
- Log in using your myNSFAS credentials
- Go to “Profile Information” and click on “Bank Account Details“
- Enter your banking information accurately
- Click on “Save“.
Only students with confirmed NSFAS funding and submitted registration data can upload their bank details.
Avoid These Common Phishing Tactics
NSFAS emphasizes cybersecurity awareness. Students should never share:
- Bank account numbers
- Personal identification
- myNSFAS usernames or passwords
“NSFAS services are completely free,” the organization reiterated. “We will never ask for payments or fees for assistance.”
- SMS or email with unknown links
- Requests to “verify” banking info urgently
- Poor grammar or suspicious sender names
- Claims of “immediate disbursement” with verification
NSFAS Calls for Student Vigilance
NSFAS has also requested that TVET college students resubmit their banking details, especially if there have been any changes in their account or personal information. As the academic year progresses, it is crucial for students to regularly check the official NSFAS website and log in to the myNSFAS account for announcements, bursary updates, and alerts about suspicious activity.
Conclusion
With cybercrime on the rise, especially in the education sector, NSFAS is committed to protecting its students by raising awareness about online scams. As a Bangladeshi content expert, I urge all students and parents to stay informed, secure your digital footprint, and always verify the authenticity of any message related to financial aid.
