Current status
Applications for the 2026/2027 session are under way. Institutions such as the Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo, have told students the NELFUND portal is open with the new sessional fees. NELFUND’s 3 October dashboard reported cumulative disbursements of ₦372.62 billion as of 29 September 2026, including ₦192.89 billion in institutional fees and ₦179.73 billion in student upkeep.
The loan is voluntary. NELFUND said on 21 October 2026 that students who can pay their fees do not need to apply, after reports that an Enugu college was tying exam clearance to loan registration.
Parents will be able to check fee payments. NELFUND said on 28 October 2026 that some students take the loan while their parents still pay their fees, and it plans a system that lets parents confirm whether fees have been paid. It will also run re-education workshops for students and institutions across the six geopolitical zones.
What to do now: Confirm that your school has uploaded your record, then apply on the official portal using a bank account in your own name.
Latest updates
- 5 Nov 2026: The APC PCC cites NELFUND figures of ₦372.62 billion disbursed across 319 institutions and 1,659,853 applications processed. The dashboard data covers payments through 29 September; applications processed are not confirmed unique beneficiaries. Read
- 28 Oct 2026: NELFUND says some students are “double-dipping” while parents still pay their fees; it plans a parent verification system and stakeholder workshops in all six geopolitical zones. School fees are paid with application IDs and wallet numbers, and about 400,000 students are on the pilot payment system. Read
- 23 Oct 2026: Enugu State College of Education (Technical) is reported to have made NELFUND registration compulsory for exam clearance; students protest and the college has yet to respond. Read
- 21 Oct 2026: NELFUND says taking the loan is voluntary and meant only for students who need financial support. Read
- 1 Oct 2026: Records show the N20,000 payment is monthly upkeep, not school fees, which NELFUND pays to institutions separately. Read
- Sep 2026: Institutions begin telling students the 2026/2027 application portal is open.
- 7 Sep 2026: Shareholders reject a plan to fund NELFUND with unclaimed dividends. Read
- 6 Sep 2026: NELFUND dismisses claims that loan defaulters face life imprisonment. Read
- 3 Sep 2026: N355.87bn disbursed; 1,659,853 applications processed.
- 17 Jun 2026: Beneficiaries pass 1.58 million. Read
- 12 Mar 2026: Portal extended for institutions that formally requested more time for 2025/2026.
- 30 Jan 2026: 2025/2026 deadline extended from 31 January to 27 February.
- 23 Oct 2025: Portal opens for the 2025/2026 session.
How to apply for the NELFUND student loan
- Check that your institution is on NELFUND’s approved list and has uploaded your record on the student verification portal. If it has not, ask your school’s NELFUND desk.
- Go to the official NELFUND website (nelf.gov.ng) and click Apply to open the student loan portal.
- Create an account and verify your identity with your NIN and the other details requested, such as your JAMB registration number and BVN.
- Choose institutional fees, upkeep, or both, and enter a bank account that is in your own name.
- Submit the application and track its status on your dashboard. Fees are paid to your school; upkeep is paid into your account.
Official portals and channels
- NELFUND official website (nelf.gov.ng)
- NELFUND student loan portal (portal.nelf.gov.ng)
- NELFUND verified social media pages (@nelfund)
NELFUND student loan: frequently asked questions
Is the NELFUND portal open for 2026/2027?
Yes. Institutions have told students the portal is open for the 2026/2027 session. Check the official portal for your school’s status and any deadline.
Is the NELFUND loan compulsory?
No. NELFUND says the loan is voluntary and meant for students who cannot afford their fees. An institution should not make loan registration a condition for exams or clearance.
Can parents check whether NELFUND has paid their child’s school fees?
NELFUND said in October 2026 that it is introducing a system that will let parents confirm whether fees have been paid, without necessarily showing the amount. Students can already download a NELFUND receipt once their fees are processed.
How much is the NELFUND upkeep allowance?
The approved upkeep allowance is N20,000 a month, paid to the student. Tuition and approved institutional charges are paid directly to the school.
Is the NELFUND loan interest-free?
Yes. The student loan is interest-free.
What do I need to apply for NELFUND?
Your NIN, a record uploaded by your institution, a bank account in your own name, and identity details such as your JAMB registration number and BVN.
When do I start repaying the NELFUND loan?
Under the Student Loans Act, repayment starts two years after National Youth Service, through deductions from your earnings.
Will NELFUND loan defaulters go to jail?
NELFUND dismissed claims in September 2026 that defaulters face life imprisonment.
Related coverage
- NELFUND Accuses Students Of Accessing Loans Without Knowledge Of Parents, Sponsors
- Enugu College Reportedly Ties Exam Clearance to NELFUND Loans — Students Cry Foul as NELFUND Insists Scheme Is Voluntary
- NELFUND Says Obtaining Student Loan Is Voluntary, Not Compulsory
- ABU Zaria Suspends ₦298,000 Fee Hike After Student Backlash, Opens Fresh Talks
- NELFUND Student Loan: ₦20,000 Is Monthly Upkeep, Not School Fees
- Shareholders Reject FG’s Plan To Use Unclaimed Dividends, Money In Dormant Accounts To Fund NELFUND
- NELFUND Dismisses Claim Tinubu Has Approved Life Jail For Loan Defaulters
- NELFUND Reaches 1,586,921 Beneficiaries: Is Nigeria’s Education Revolution Finally Taking Shape?
- NELFUND: 2 Years After, How Student Loans Have Changed Tertiary Education, What Comes Next
- NELFUND Disbursement: Isoko Institutions, Delta beneficiaries rises after Ukodhiko’s intervention
- NELFUND processes 550,000 loan applications, disburses N56,85bn in 2024
The Trumpet updates this tracker whenever official information changes. The date at the top shows the last change.
