NELFUND Begins 2025/2026 Loan Applications, Seeks Flexibility from Tertiary Institutions

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially opened its online application portal for student loans for the 2025/2026 academic session, offering financial assistance to students across tertiary institutions nationwide.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the application window will run from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The agency advised new students to use their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a matriculation number when applying. It also appealed to tertiary institutions to be flexible with registration and tuition payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement.

“Institutions are encouraged to demonstrate understanding and allow flexibility in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students whose loan applications are still being processed,” the statement read.

NELFUND further directed institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session to formally notify the agency and submit their approved academic calendars to facilitate proper scheduling.

The Fund emphasized the need for schools to adopt temporary registration measures to ensure that no student misses out on education due to financial challenges.