By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has opened its portal for students from 36 state-owned tertiary institutions to apply for loans.
This move follows the successful submission of student data by the management of these institutions to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS).
Below are the step-by-step guide on how to create and apply for the loan:
Creating an Account
1. Visit (nelf.gov.ng)
2. Click “Apply Now” and then “Get Started”
3. Answer the questions and click “Yes, I am a Nigerian”
4. Verify your educational information and click “Verify with JAMB”
5. Enter your JAMB details and create an account with your email address, password, and confirm password
6. Click the email verification link sent to your email
Completing Your Profile
1. Log in with your email address and password
2. Click “Proceed to Contact Details” and update your contact information
3. Click “Proceed to Educational Details” and update your educational details
4. Click “Proceed to Account Details” and verify your BVN
5. Save your changes
Loan Application
1. Click “Request for Student Loan” at the top right of the screen
2. Choose whether you want an upkeep loan and click “Continue”
3. Upload supporting documents (admission letter is compulsory)
4. Click the checkboxes for the policy and declaration and click “Continue”
5. Read the loan overview and click the checkboxes for Terms & Conditions and GSI Mandate
6. Click “Submit Application”
7. Click “Loans” to view the status of your application
According to a statement released by NELFUND, “Students enrolled in the following 36 state-owned tertiary institutions can now apply for student loans effective today, July 7, 2024.” The institutions include:
Adamawa State University, Mubi; Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri; Borno State University; Mohammet Lawan college of Agriculture, Borno State; Edo State University, Uzairue; Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Gombe State University; Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State; Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo; Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria; Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano; Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina; Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management; Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero; Confluence University of Science and Technology, Kogi state and Lagos state university of education.
Others are: Lagos State University; Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun state; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Osun State University; UNIVERSITY OF ILESA, OSUN STATE; GTC, ARA Osun State; GTC, GBONGAN Osun State; GTC, IJEBU-JESA Osun State; GTC, ILE-IFE Osun State; GTC, INISA Osun State; GTC, IWO Osun State; GTC,OSU Osun State; GTC, OTAN AYEGBAJU Osun State; OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ILA-ORANGUN; GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE ILE-IFE; OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY; Taraba State University, Jalingo; Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashua, Yobe State and Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.
The statement urged other state-owned tertiary institutions to submit their student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System promptly, enabling their students to benefit from the scheme.
This development is part of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s cardinal program, which aims to provide financial support to students. The program is funded by 1% of the total annual collectable revenue by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), with an approved take-off fund of N35 billion.
President Tinubu signed the bill into law on April 3, ensuring that no Nigerian student would drop out of school due to financial constraints. Repayment is scheduled to commence two years after the completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
As NELFUND encourages timely submission of student data, this loan scheme is expected to benefit over 1.2 million students, providing financial support and access to education.
