NELFUND Student Loan: How to Apply, Eligibility & Portal
NELFUND is the Federal Government’s interest-free student loan for Nigerians in public tertiary institutions. It covers your full tuition/institutional charges (paid to your school) plus an optional ₦20,000 monthly upkeep. It is free to apply at nelf.gov.ng with your JAMB number and NIN, and repayment only starts two years after NYSC.
- Country
- Nigeria
- Institution
- Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)
- Value
- Interest-free loan: full tuition plus optional ₦20,000/month upkeep
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Eligibility
- Nigerian Student
- Field
- Any/All fields of study
About
Quick answer: NELFUND (the Nigeria Education Loan Fund) is the Federal Government’s interest-free student loan for Nigerians in public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and vocational schools. It covers your tuition/institutional charges, with an optional ₦20,000 monthly upkeep. Repayment only begins two years after NYSC. You apply free at nelf.gov.ng using your JAMB number and NIN.
Eligibility
- Nigerian student in a public tertiary institution.
- Your school must have uploaded your records to the NELFUND dashboard (Student Verification System).
- Your NIN, JAMB and BVN must be linked, and returning students need at least a 50% academic pass rate.
- No record of loan default or conviction for fraud, exam malpractice, cultism or drug offences.
How to Apply
- Go to nelf.gov.ng and click Apply / Get a Loan.
- Sign in with your JAMB number and NIN to verify your identity and pull your student record.
- Confirm your personal, academic and BVN-linked bank details.
- Choose institutional charges only, or charges plus the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep.
- Review and submit. Processing runs in cycles — tuition is paid to your school and any upkeep to your account.
Additional Information
How to apply: go to nelf.gov.ng (or portal.nelf.gov.ng), sign in with your JAMB number and NIN, fill in your personal, academic and bank details, and choose either institutional charges only or institutional charges plus the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep. The process takes 15–30 minutes. The 2025/2026 window opened 23 October 2025 and was extended to 27 February 2026; applications run in cycles, so check the portal for the current window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the NELFUND loan back?
Yes, but it is interest-free. Repayment begins two years after you complete NYSC, deducted gradually (about 10% of salary) once you are earning.
Does NELFUND cover private universities?
No. The loan currently covers students in public federal and state tertiary institutions only — universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education.
How much is the monthly upkeep?
Up to ₦20,000 per month during the academic session. It is optional — you can apply for institutional charges only if you prefer.
Is there an age limit to apply?
No age limit is imposed. Eligibility is based on enrolment in an approved public institution and your records being verified by your school, not your age.
Apply
Apply on nelf.gov.ngSources
- NELFUND official portal — eligibility & application Checked Jul 2026
- Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024 Checked Jul 2026