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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has dismissed a viral social media claim that a student received a once-off payment of R630,344.44, warning that the information is false and potentially harmful to students.
What NSFAS Says About the R630,000 Claim
NSFAS confirmed that the image circulating online is manipulated and does not reflect any legitimate transaction made by the scheme.
According to the agency, the claim appears to have been created for social media attention and does not represent how student funding is paid.
How NSFAS Payments Actually Work
NSFAS clarified that it does not pay large lump sums directly to students.
Instead, funding is distributed through:
- tuition payments made directly to institutions
- approved student allowances
- structured funding systems under strict financial controls
These processes ensure transparency and prevent misuse of funds.
Warning to Students and the Public
NSFAS has urged students, institutions and the public to rely only on official communication channels for accurate information.
The scheme stressed that no irregular payments or system breaches linked to the viral claim have been detected.
Legal Action May Follow
NSFAS says it takes misinformation seriously and may take legal action against individuals who deliberately create or share false content that damages its reputation.
What Students Should Do
Students are advised to:
- ignore viral payment claims on social media
- verify information through official NSFAS platforms
- report suspicious posts or scams
