The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is the Federal Government's interest-free student loan scheme, established under the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act signed by President Bola Tinubu on 3 April 2024. By February 2025, the fund had disbursed over ₦22 billion to more than 200,000 students across 59 institutions. As of October 2025, total successful applications had reached 451,535, with over ₦116 billion disbursed since launch.
This is not a scholarship. It is a loan that must be repaid after you graduate and begin earning. But it is genuinely interest-free, the single most important distinction from commercial student loans.
Key facts
Interest rate: 0% (zero). Repayment: begins 2 years after NYSC. Application: free — no one should ask you for money to apply. Portal: portal.nelf.gov.ng
Which Institutions Are Eligible?
NELFUND primarily covers students enrolled in Federal public tertiary institutions: federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education recognised by NUC, NBTE, or NCCE. State-owned institutions have been added progressively in phases.
Federal universities (all eligible)
All 74 NUC-accredited federal universities are eligible. This includes every institution on the YASA map with ownership marked "Federal." Every student in a federal university who meets the personal eligibility criteria can apply.
State universities added as of mid-2024
In July 2024, NELFUND onboarded 12 additional state-owned institutions. Confirmed state institutions on the NELFUND list include:
| Institution | State | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos State University (LASU) | Lagos | University |
| Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) | Lagos | University |
| Nasarawa State University | Nasarawa | University |
| Osun State University | Osun | University |
| Edo State University | Edo | University |
| Ekiti State University (EKSU) | Ekiti | University |
| Gombe State University | Gombe | University |
| Borno State University | Borno | University |
| Adamawa State University | Adamawa | University |
| Taraba State University | Taraba | University |
| Katsina State Institute of Technology | Katsina | Polytechnic |
| Ramat Polytechnic | Borno | Polytechnic |
| Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic | Kaduna | Polytechnic |
| UNIMED Ondo | Ondo | University |
| Umar Suleiman College of Education | Gombe | College |
| Zamfara State University | Zamfara | University |
This list is not exhaustive and continues to expand. The authoritative source is the NELFUND portal — check whether your institution appears when you begin the application process.
Important
Private universities are not currently eligible. NELFUND has stated that expansion to private institutions may happen in the future, but as of the 2025/2026 application cycle, only public institutions (federal and approved state) are covered.
Personal Eligibility Requirements
Your institution being on the list is necessary but not sufficient. You must also meet all of the following:
- Nigerian citizen
- Currently enrolled (newly admitted or returning) in an eligible public tertiary institution
- Your institution must have uploaded your record to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS)
- Valid BVN, NIN, and JAMB registration number or matriculation number
- No prior loan default with any Nigerian financial institution
- No criminal conviction for fraud, forgery, examination malpractice, drug offences, or cultism
There is no household income restriction. NELFUND is open to students from any economic background. Fresh students (100 level) can apply using their JAMB registration number instead of a matriculation number, but only after completing registration and obtaining a matric number for returning cycles.
What the Loan Covers
The loan has two components, both optional independently:
- Institutional charges: NELFUND pays your school fees directly to the institution. The amount depends on what your school charges — there is no fixed cap per student, but NELFUND caps its contribution per institution category.
- Upkeep allowance: Monthly living expenses paid directly to your bank account to cover transport, meals, and basic needs. The exact monthly amount varies by institution and is reviewed annually by the NELFUND Board.
The 2025/2026 Application Window
NELFUND opened the 2025/2026 application portal on 23 October 2025. The portal closed on 31 January 2026 (The timeline was extended further into March 2026, and specific rolling windows were reopened as late as May 2026 for institutions operating on alternative academic calendars). If you missed this window, monitor nelf.gov.ng for the 2026/2027 opening, which typically occurs in October.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
- Go to portal.nelf.gov.ng
- Create an account using your email address
- Enter your JAMB registration number or matriculation number to confirm your institution
- Complete your profile — NIN, BVN, bank account details
- Upload your admission letter
- Choose: institutional charges only, or charges plus upkeep
- Submit and monitor your application status on the dashboard
The application takes 15–30 minutes. It is completely free. No agent or third party should ask you for money at any stage.
Repayment Terms
Repayment begins two years after completing NYSC. It is deducted automatically by your employer through a payroll deduction mechanism similar to pension contributions. If you are still unemployed two years post-NYSC, you must file a sworn court affidavit every three months until you secure employment. The loan may be written off if you die or suffer permanent disability preventing you from earning.
Not eligible for postgraduates
NELFUND currently covers undergraduate study only. Postgraduate students are not eligible in the 2025/2026 cycle. NELFUND has indicated this may change in future sessions.
Find NELFUND-eligible institutions near you
Use YASA's free map to see all public universities, polytechnics and colleges in any Nigerian state — filter by federal or state ownership.
Search federal universities on YASA →YASA does not process loan applications. Always verify eligibility directly via the NELFUND portal.