MOVEit Data Breach Hits Students Nationwide – In 2023, a major cybersecurity incident shook institutions across the United States: the MOVEit data breach. Among the most affected was the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), a nonprofit organization that provides educational reporting, verification, and research services to colleges and universities.
Now, in 2025, a significant $9.95 million class action settlement has been announced. If you were one of the millions of students whose Social Security number or other personal data was exposed, you may be eligible for compensation. This article will guide you through the full details — from eligibility criteria to how to file a claim.
What Happened in the MOVEit Data Breach?
Between May 28 and May 31, 2023, a vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer file management system—developed by Progress Software—was exploited by hackers. This breach targeted multiple organizations, including government agencies, corporations, and educational institutions.
The National Student Clearinghouse confirmed that data belonging to more than 1.5 million students was compromised. Most notably, sensitive personal details like Social Security numbers (SSNs), dates of birth, and school enrollment data were accessed without authorization.
MOVEit Data Breach Hits Students Nationwide
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Settlement Amount | $9.95 million |
| Who Is Eligible | Individuals whose SSNs were in NSC data breached via MOVEit |
| Claim Deadline | May 26, 2025 |
| Compensation Offered | Up to $10,000 or flat $100 |
| Free Credit Monitoring? | Yes, 2 years of 3-bureau monitoring |
| Official Website | www.nscsettlement.com |
The MOVEit data breach settlement offers much-needed relief for students whose information was exposed in one of the largest education-sector cyberattacks in recent memory. If you were impacted, you could receive up to $10,000 in compensation or 2 years of free credit monitoring—but only if you act before May 26, 2025.
Staying vigilant and proactive is the best defense in a digital world. Check your eligibility today and take the first step toward protecting your financial future.
Who Is Eligible for the MOVEit Settlement?
If you received a letter or email notice from the National Student Clearinghouse with a Unique ID and PIN, chances are you’re eligible to submit a claim. Here’s a quick breakdown of eligibility:
You qualify if
- Your Social Security number was included in NSC’s compromised data.
- You were notified by NSC about the breach and received a settlement notice.
If you’re unsure or didn’t receive any notice but believe you could be affected (for example, you were enrolled in a college that uses NSC’s services), you can call 1-888-366-9156 or visit the official settlement site for assistance.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive?
Eligible claimants can receive different levels of compensation depending on the type of loss and supporting documents submitted.
Ordinary Losses — Up to $2,500
You may claim reimbursement for the following expenses if they were incurred due to the data breach:
- Credit monitoring or identity theft services
- Bank fees or overdraft charges
- Unreimbursed fraudulent charges
- Up to 4 hours of lost time, compensated at $25/hour
Extraordinary Losses — Up to $10,000
You can also claim higher compensation for:
- Direct financial losses from identity theft or fraud
- Legal fees, or professional services to recover stolen identity
- Major credit damage resulting from misuse of your SSN
This claim requires proof of losses and a demonstration that these were directly tied to the data breach.
Alternative Cash Payment — $100
If you prefer not to submit detailed claims, you can opt for a flat $100 payment instead. This is available only to those who verify their eligibility and do not file claims for other losses.
Note: The final amount may vary depending on how many people file valid claims.
Free Credit Monitoring and Identity Protection
All eligible claimants can opt into 2 years of free credit monitoring, which includes:
- Three-bureau credit monitoring (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
- Identity theft insurance up to $1 million
- Alerts for new credit inquiries or accounts opened in your name
If you’ve not already subscribed to a credit monitoring service, this is a valuable way to protect yourself from long-term effects of data theft.
How to File a Claim For MOVEit Data Breach Settlement
Filing your claim is straightforward. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to www.nscsettlement.com. This is the official portal where you can access your claim form and read FAQs.
Step 2: Use Your Unique ID and PIN
Find your Unique ID and PIN in the notice sent to you by mail or email. Enter these on the site to verify your identity.
Step 3: Choose Your Claim Type
Select one of the following:
- Ordinary Losses
- Extraordinary Losses
- Alternative Cash Payment
- Free Credit Monitoring
Step 4: Upload Documentation (If Required)
For loss claims, you’ll need to submit:
- Receipts, bank statements, or invoices
- Proof of fraudulent activity, if claiming extraordinary losses
- Time logs for lost hours (e.g., emails, call records)
Step 5: Submit Your Claim
You can file online or mail your claim to:
MOVEit National Student Clearinghouse Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2878
Portland, OR 97208-2878
All claims must be submitted by May 26, 2025.
Important Legal Deadlines
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Submit Claim Form | May 26, 2025 |
| Opt-Out of Settlement | April 25, 2025 |
| Object to Settlement Terms | April 25, 2025 |
| Final Approval Hearing | May 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET |
If you do nothing, you give up the right to sue NSC and won’t receive compensation. Make sure to file on time!
How Schools Can Strengthen Student Data Protection?
This breach has highlighted the pressing need for educational institutions to adopt stronger security measures.
Recommendations for Institutions
- Perform regular third-party audits on data security
- Limit third-party data sharing agreements
- Train staff on phishing and cybersecurity awareness
- Use encrypted, secure file transfer tools (not just off-the-shelf software)
Colleges and universities must balance accessibility with privacy protection to ensure student trust isn’t broken.
Why This Case Matters to Students and Schools?
The NSC serves over 3,600 colleges and universities, covering millions of students and alumni. The data breach reveals the risks of centralizing sensitive information and the need for stronger cybersecurity in education.
The MOVEit breach didn’t just affect NSC. Over 2,500 organizations worldwide were impacted, making this one of the largest breaches of 2023. Other victims included government agencies, healthcare systems, and major corporations.
For students and parents, this is a wake-up call to:
- Check your credit regularly
- Set fraud alerts with credit bureaus
- Freeze your credit if you suspect misuse
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable 2FA (two-factor authentication)
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FAQs About MOVEit Data Breach
Q1: I didn’t receive a notification. Am I still eligible?
Possibly. If you attended a college that works with NSC and think your SSN may have been included in their records, contact the administrator at 1-888-366-9156 to check your status.
Q2: Is there a cost to file a claim or get credit monitoring?
No. The entire process is free. If you’re eligible, the credit monitoring and payment come at no cost to you.
Q3: Can I submit both a cash claim and request credit monitoring?
No. You can either choose compensation (cash) or credit monitoring, but not both.
Q4: How will I receive my payment?
Payments will be made via check or electronic payment (like PayPal/Venmo), depending on your preference selected during the claim submission.
Q5: Is this a scam?
No. This is a legitimate, court-approved class action settlement. Visit www.nscsettlement.com to verify all details.
