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How to Apply for Student Loan on NELFUND Portal
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, or NELFUND, has opened its portal for student loan applications for the 2025/2026 school year. From October 23, 2025, until January 31, 2026, students across public tertiary schools in Nigeria can apply online to get help paying for their studies. This is the second time NELFUND is running this program since it started in April 2024. It’s a great chance for Nigerian students to get support without worrying about extra fees or interest.
Applying for a student loan on the NELFUND portal is simple and only done online. The loan is interest-free, which means you won’t pay extra money on top. Plus, there’s a monthly stipend of N20,000 to help with everyday expenses. Just keep in mind, you’ll only get the stipend while your school is in session, no payment during holidays. Tuition fees go straight to your school, and the upkeep money is sent directly to your bank account.
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Before you start, you need to be a Nigerian student in a public tertiary institution. Make sure you have some important documents ready: your JAMB registration number, admission letter, National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and a working bank account.
Here’s how you get started on the NELFUND portal:
1. Go to the official NELFUND website, click “Apply Now,” then hit “Get Started.”
2. Enter your school’s name and matric number to check if your school has uploaded your details. If you don’t find your records, contact your school to sort it out.
3. Verify your details with JAMB by clicking “Verify with JAMB” and entering your JAMB info. If your NIN isn’t linked with JAMB, just enter your NIN.
4. Register on the portal by typing your email address and creating a password. Check your email for a verification link and click it to activate your account.
5. Update your contact info like phone number, where you live, and your local government area.
6. Pick your school from the list and type in your matric number again.
7. Enter your BVN, select your bank, and add your bank account number. Save everything and your profile setup is done.
After your profile is ready, you can apply for the student loan:
– Log in and click the “Request for Student Loan” button on the top right.
– Choose whether you want the loan just for school fees or for fees plus upkeep. You can’t ask for the upkeep alone without tuition fees.
– Upload a scanned copy of your admission letter, it’s required. You can also add your student ID or your school’s tuition invoice if you want.
– Agree to the rules and check all the boxes that say you accept the terms.
– Submit your application.
Once you apply, you can keep an eye on your application status in the “Loans” section of your dashboard. If it gets approved, you’ll get a message about it. If it’s not approved, you can reach out to NELFUND using the email on their site.
Some reasons you might be turned down include having unpaid loans before, submitting fake documents, being caught cheating in exams, or having a criminal record related to fraud, drugs, or other serious offenses.
If you’ve already used NELFUND before and want to apply again for this new session, just log in and apply like normal within the application period.
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When it comes to paying back, you start 2 years after finishing your NYSC (National Youth Service Corps). If you have a job, your employer will take 10% of your salary each month to pay back the loan. If you’re self-employed, you’ll pay 10% of your monthly profit to NELFUND. You can pay more if you want or tell NELFUND if you don’t have a job by sending them a sworn affidavit every three months.
In rare cases, the loan can be canceled if someone dies or has a serious permanent disability.
NELFUND is a big help for Nigerian students who want to study but don’t want to carry the stress of high-interest loans. If you qualify, have your documents ready and apply early on the NELFUND portal starting October 23. It’s a smart way to secure support for your education, so don’t miss the chance!
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