NSFAS formally rejected the viral claim that a student received R630,434.44. Its 16 March 2026 statement says the image was manipulated, appeared to be AI-generated and did not match a legitimate transaction. NSFAS also said it does not make large lump-sum payments of that kind directly to students and reported no related system breach.
What to do
A safe route from question to action
Do not treat the image as payment evidenceA balance screenshot can be edited or generated. The named authority’s transaction record is the source of truth.
Read the official correctionThe government statement records the exact allegation, NSFAS’s verification and its conclusion that the claim was false.
Check your own funding privatelyUse myNSFAS and the institution’s official finance record; do not post a balance or account screen publicly.
Report impersonationIf a message uses the false claim to request a fee, password or OTP, stop and report it through an official NSFAS channel.
Common questions
Direct answers
Did NSFAS pay a student R630,434.44?
NSFAS says no. It described the circulating image as manipulated and apparently AI-generated.
Was NSFAS hacked in this incident?
NSFAS said there was no irregular payment or system breach associated with the false claim.
How do I verify a real NSFAS payment?
Check the individual funding record in myNSFAS and the institution’s official student-finance system.
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