Advance-fee fraud

Student and scholarship scam

Quick answer

A scammer offers a scholarship, grant, admission, or student loan you did not apply for, then asks for a fee or sensitive details to release it.

Verify any award directly with the institution or official scholarship body using contact details you look up yourself.

What it is

A scammer offers a scholarship, grant, admission, or student loan you did not apply for, then asks for a fee or sensitive details to release it.

How it works

You receive an unexpected award or aid offer. To 'claim' it you are asked to pay a processing or registration fee, or to share ID, bank, or login details - and the funding never materialises.

Red flags to watch for

A scholarship or grant you never applied for
An upfront fee to release funding
Requests for bank login, card, or ID details
Pressure to accept before a sudden deadline

Example

A message congratulates you on a scholarship and asks for a processing fee to release it. This is risky because genuine scholarships and grants do not require an upfront payment.

What not to do

Do not pay a fee to receive a scholarship or grant
Do not share bank or ID details to 'verify' eligibility
Do not rush because of a deadline in the message

The safe next step

Verify any award directly with the institution or official scholarship body using contact details you look up yourself.

Often seen on: Email, SMS, WhatsApp, Social media.

Commonly targets: Students and parents.

How to verify safely

Do not use links, phone numbers, QR codes, or email addresses from the suspicious message.
Open the official app or website yourself - type the address manually.
Call a contact you have saved, or the number printed on your bank card.
If you are threatened or in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or police.

How to report it

Report to the institution being impersonated and your national fraud or consumer-protection authority.

Find official links for your country in the scam reporting directory.

Got a message like this?

Check it now to see the specific red flags and what to do next.

Check a message

Upfront fee scamA scam that asks for an upfront payment to unlock a prize, job, loan, or larger sum that never arrives.Job offer scamA scammer offers a fake job to collect fees, personal information, or to use you to move money.PhishingPhishing is when a scammer pretends to be a trusted person or organisation to trick you into revealing passwords, codes, or financial details, or into clicking a malicious link.

Frequently asked questions

Do real scholarships charge a fee to apply or release funds?

Legitimate scholarships and grants do not require an upfront fee to claim the award; be cautious of any that do.

How do I check a scholarship is genuine?

Contact the university, college, or official scholarship body directly using details from their official website that you look up yourself.