Portal For Apply Nigerian Students Loan 2024/2025 Program | Step by Step Guide

 

Step-by-step guide to applying for the Nigerian Student Loan Program through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), based on the most current and official information available as of February 22, 2025:

Overview:

The Nigerian Student Loan Program, managed by NELFUND, provides interest-free loans to Nigerian students in public tertiary institutions (universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and vocational schools) to cover tuition fees and, optionally, upkeep costs. 

The program was established under the Access to Higher Education Act of 2024, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, to improve access to higher education.

Eligibility Criteria:

Before applying, ensure you meet these requirements:

Citizenship: You must be a Nigerian citizen.

Admission: You must be enrolled in a recognized public tertiary institution in Nigeria (federal or state-owned university, polytechnic, college of education, or vocational school).

Documentation: You need a Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) admission letter, National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and your student matriculation or registration number.

Institution Data: Your institution must have uploaded your student data to the NELFUND portal.

Exclusions: You are ineligible if you’ve defaulted on a previous loan, been found guilty of exam malpractice, or convicted of fraud, forgery, drug offenses, or other serious crimes.

Note: The original income limit (family income below N500,000 annually) and guarantor requirements have been removed under the 2024 Act, broadening eligibility.

Required Documents

Mandatory: JAMB admission letter.

Optional: Student ID card and institution invoice (for tuition details).

Personal Identifiers: NIN and BVN.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Visit the NELFUND Portal:

Go to the official website: www.nelf.gov.ng.

Create an Account:

Click on “Apply Now” or “Request for Student Loan” on the homepage.

Select “Get Started” and confirm your nationality by choosing “Yes, I am a Nigerian.”

Verify your educational details by selecting your institution and entering your matriculation number.

Input your JAMB registration number, date of birth, NIN, and BVN to validate your identity.

Provide a valid email address and create a secure password to complete account setup.

Complete Your Profile:

Log in with your credentials.

Fill in your personal details (name, contact info, etc.) and academic details (institution, course of study, level, etc.).

Add your bank details (BVN, bank name, and account number) for disbursements.

Apply for the Loan:

From your dashboard, click “Request for Student Loan.”

Indicate if you want only tuition coverage or tuition plus an upkeep allowance (e.g., N20,000 monthly).

Upload your JAMB admission letter (required) and student ID (optional).

Review the loan overview, agree to the Terms & Conditions and GSI (Global Standing Instruction) Mandate, then click “Submit Application.”

Track Your Application:

Check the status of your application under the “Loans” section of your dashboard.

You’ll receive a notification via email or the portal once your application is processed (typically within 30 days of approval).

Application Deadline: For the 2023/2024 academic session, the portal closes on February 21, 2025, but applications for 2024/2025 are ongoing. Apply early to avoid delays.

Cost: The application is free—no fees are required.

Disbursement: Tuition funds are sent directly to your institution, while upkeep allowances (if requested) are paid monthly to your bank account.

Repayment: Begins two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, with 10% of your salary deducted automatically by your employer. Self-employed individuals remit 10% of monthly profits. Extensions are possible with an affidavit if unemployed, and loans may be forgiven in cases of death or permanent disability.

Tips for Success

Ensure all documents are accurate and up-to-date to avoid rejection.

Contact NELFUND support at https://nelfund.esupport.ng/ if you encounter issues.

Double-check that your institution has uploaded your data to the portal, as this is a common reason for delays.

This process is entirely online, user-friendly, and designed to take 15-30 minutes if you have all documents ready. For the latest updates, monitor the NELFUND portal or their official social media channels.