How to Apply for NELFUND 2024/2025 Student Loan

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is an independent federal government agency established by the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act 2024, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 3 April 2024. It replaced the former Nigerian Education Bank and is directly supervised by the Presidency through the Office of the Special Adviser on Student Loan Matters.

NELFUND’s core mandate is to provide financial access to higher education for all indigent and qualified Nigerian students in approved public tertiary institutions across the country, thereby removing financial barriers as one of the key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

How to Apply for NELFUND

Who is Eligible?

You can apply if you meet ALL these conditions:

1. You are a Nigerian citizen.
2. You are enrolled in a federal or state-owned university, polytechnic, college of education, or federal/state vocational enterprise institution.
3. You have a valid JAMB registration number (for undergraduate and NCE students).
4. You have a National Identification Number (NIN).
5. Your Bank Verification Number (BVN) must be linked to a personal bank account in your name.
6. Your institution must have completed the Student Verification System (SVS) upload for your set.
7. You are not a beneficiary of any other government scholarship or loan that covers the same purpose (e.g., PTDF, TETFund scholarship recipients are disqualified).
8. You have no criminal record (a declaration is required).

Categories of Students That Can Apply

• Fresh 100-level/Year 1 students
• 200 level and above (direct entry or continuing students)
• ND1, ND2, HND1, HND2 students in public polytechnics
• NCE 1–3 students in public colleges of education
• Students in federal/state schools of nursing (after accreditation by NELFUND)

Loan Types Available

1. Institutional Fees Loan (compulsory)
   • Pays tuition and all approved charges directly to your school.
   • Amount is determined by your institution’s fee schedule.
2. Upkeep/Maintenance Loan (optional)
   • Monthly stipend paid directly into your personal bank account.
   • Current range: ₦20,000 – ₦50,000 per month depending on institution and level.
   • Paid for the duration of your program (e.g., 100-level to final year).

Full List of Required Documents

1. JAMB Admission Letter (color PDF, not screenshot)
2. Institution Admission Letter from your school portal (color PDF)
3. NIN slip (PDF or JPG)
4. Birth certificate or Declaration of Age
5. Recent passport photograph (white background, JPG)
6. Valid student ID card or school matriculation number (after verification)
7. Bank account details linked to your BVN

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Confirm Your School Has Uploaded Your Details

Before you even register, check the Student Verification System (SVS):

• Visit https://nelf.gov.ng
• Click “Student Verification” or “Check if My School Has Uploaded Me”
• Enter your JAMB registration number
• If you see “Verified” or your name appears, proceed. If “Not Found,” meet your school immediately.

Step 2: Visit the Official Portal

Only one website is real: https://nelf.gov.ng Bookmark it. Any site with .com, .org, or asking for payment is fake.

Step 3: Register a New Account

• Click “Apply Now” → “Register”
• Use a personal email address you can access (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)
• Create a strong password (minimum 8 characters, letters + numbers + symbol)
• Verify your email by clicking the link sent to your inbox/spam folder

Step 4: Log In and Start Application

After login, you will see your dashboard with these sections:

• Personal Information
• Academic Information
• Document Upload
• Loan Request
• Bank Details
• Declaration & Submission

Step 5: Fill Personal Information

Enter exactly as they appear on your NIN and BVN:

• Full name (surname first)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Phone number linked to BVN
• Alternative phone number
• State of origin & LGA
• Home address
• NIN number
• BVN number

Step 6: Fill Academic Information

• Institution name (select from dropdown)
• Faculty
• Department
• Course of study
• Current level/year (e.g., 100 level, ND1, HND2)
• Matriculation number (if already issued)
• JAMB registration number
• Year of admission

Step 7: Upload All Documents

• Each file must be less than 2MB
• Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG
• Use a scanner or clear phone camera
• Do not upload blurry or sideways documents

Step 8: Select Loan Type

Tick the boxes for:

• Institutional Charges Loan (everyone must tick this)
• Upkeep Loan (optional but recommended)

Step 9: Enter Bank Details

• Bank name (select from list)
• Account number
• Account name (must match BVN name)
• The account must be active and receive alerts

Step 10: Review and Submit

• Go through every section again
• Tick “I declare that all information provided is correct”
• Click “Proceed to Submit”
• You will see “Application Submitted Successfully” with your unique Application ID

Step 11: Wait for Institution Verification

This is the longest part. Your school must log in to the NELFUND Institution Portal and verify you as a genuine student. Until this is done, your status remains “Pending Verification.”

How to speed it up:

• Visit your Student Affairs, ICT unit, or NELFUND desk officer
• Provide your Application ID
• Politely request verification

Step 12: NELFUND Final Approval & Disbursement

Once your school verifies you:

• NELFUND reviews within 7–30 days
• Status changes to “Approved”
• Fees are paid directly to your school
• Upkeep is paid monthly to your account (usually between 20th–30th of every month)

READ ALSO: NELFUND Announces Opening of Student Loan Application Portal for 2025/2026 Academic Session

FAQs

Is NELFUND loan really interest-free?

Yes, 0% interest for life. You repay only the exact amount borrowed.

When does repayment start?

Exactly two years after your NYSC completion or two years after graduation if you are exempt from NYSC.

How is repayment done?

Automatic deduction of 10% of your monthly salary once you earn above ₦40,000 monthly. Self-employed applicants register on the repayment portal.

Can private university students apply now?

No. As of November 2025, only public tertiary institutions are covered. Private and foreign institutions will be added in future phases.

Can I apply if I am on scholarship?

No, if the scholarship already covers tuition and upkeep (e.g., FG scholarship, state scholarship, PTDF, etc.).

What if I drop out or defer my admission? You must notify NELFUND immediately. Loan stops, and repayment may commence.

Can final-year students apply?

Yes, even if you have only one semester left.

Is there an age limit?

No official age limit.

Can I change my bank account later?

Yes, through your dashboard before disbursement starts.

What phones work best for the portal?

Any Android or iPhone with Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser. Avoid Opera Mini.

Can I apply twice?

No. One application per academic career.