Is a university bursary or grant email I didn't apply for real?
No. Unsolicited bursary or grant emails targeting students are phishing attacks or advance-fee scams.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Students are targeted by scam emails claiming they have been selected for a bursary, emergency fund, or educational grant. The email appears to come from the university financial aid office, a charitable foundation, or a government body. To claim the money, you are asked to click a link and verify your student portal credentials — which are then stolen — or you are told to pay a small processing fee to release the funds. Genuine university bursaries require you to apply, are communicated through official student portal notifications, and never charge a fee to receive funds. If you receive an unsolicited award notification, verify it by contacting your student services office directly.
Common red flags
- Award notification arrives unsolicited for something you never applied for
- Link leads to a credential login page outside the university domain
- Processing fee required before funds are released
- Email addresses you generically — 'Dear Student' — not by name
- Urgent deadline to claim the funds
What to do now
- Do not click links or pay any fees
- Contact your university student finance office directly to verify
- If you entered credentials, change your student portal password immediately
- Report the email to your university IT security team
Frequently asked questions
What if the email came from an address that looks like my university?
Email domain spoofing allows senders to imitate official-looking addresses. Always go directly to your official student portal rather than clicking email links.