NELFUND Introduces New Policy Requiring Annual Reapplication For Student Upkeep Loans.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a significant policy change, requiring students in tertiary institutions to reapply for upkeep loans at the start of each academic session. The directive, effective from 21 August 2025, aims to enhance transparency and align loan disbursements with institutions’ academic calendars, ensuring funds are allocated only to active students.
In a statement issued by NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the fund clarified that upkeep loans, currently set at ₦20,000 monthly, will be tied strictly to each institution’s academic session. Once a session concludes, payments will automatically cease, and students advancing to a new academic year must submit fresh applications to continue receiving support. “Students shall only be entitled to upkeep loans for their current academic session,” Oluwatuyi explained, emphasizing that this prevents duplicate payments across sessions.
The policy shift addresses challenges posed by Nigeria’s varied academic calendars, as institutions operate on different schedules. To support this change, NELFUND is automating its loan portal to display only the upkeep loans collected by each student for their respective session, enhancing accountability. The fund has urged tertiary institutions to promptly upload their academic calendars and sessional information to avoid delays in disbursements, ensuring students receive their full entitlements throughout the academic year.
NELFUND reassured students that the reapplication process will be digital and user-friendly, minimizing disruptions. Students are required to apply via the official NELFUND website (www.nelf.gov.ng) at the start of each session, providing updated details such as their matriculation number, JAMB details, and bank verification number. The process, which covers both tuition and upkeep loans, takes approximately 4–6 weeks for verification, with disbursements expected to begin by late August or early September for the 2024/2025 session.
As of 21 August 2025, NELFUND has disbursed ₦86 billion to 449,039 student beneficiaries nationwide, supporting tuition and living expenses for those in public tertiary institutions. The fund, established under the Students Loan Act to ease financial barriers in higher education, requires beneficiaries to repay the interest-free loans after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. Some students expressed concerns about the administrative burden of reapplying annually, with posts on X highlighting fears of delays or rejections due to technical glitches, as seen in previous sessions. Others welcomed the move, noting that it ensures fairness and prevents misuse of funds. NELFUND addressed these concerns, stating that rejection reasons will be transparently displayed on applicants’ dashboards, and affected students can reapply or resolve issues promptly.
The fund encouraged students to monitor their application status on the NELFUND portal and contact support via email (info@nelf.gov.ng) or official social media channels for assistance. By fostering cooperation between students, institutions, and the fund, NELFUND aims to sustain its commitment to accessible and efficient financial support for Nigerian students.