Read this article till the end to get the full details on How To Apply for Federal Government Student Loan.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has opened applications for the Federal Government NELFUND Student Loan to help Nigerian students afford the cost of tertiary education.
The scheme provides loans to qualified Nigerians for tuition, fees, charges, and upkeep during their studies in approved tertiary academic institutions and vocational and skills acquisition institutions in Nigeria.
Join us in this post as we provide you with a breakdown of the steps to follow to successfully apply on the Nelfund Portal 2025 and be a beneficiary.
What are the Requirements for the Federal Government Students Loan in Nigeria?
To be qualified for the Federal Government Student Loan, you have to satisfy the following eligibility criteria:
- You have to be a Nigerian student to be qualified.
- You must also not have defaulted on any previous loans or been found guilty of exam malpractice, felony, or drug offenses.
- Both students from federal and state tertiary institutions (universities, polytechnics, and colleges) are eligible to apply.
Once you have met the eligibility criteria, you can now proceed to the Nelfund Portal 2025 to apply for the loan by submitting the required documents.
Why You Should Apply for the Federal Government NELFUND Student Loan?
The following are the benefits involved if you decide to apply for the Federal Government NELFUND Student Loan;
- The loan is interest-free.
- The scheme is aimed at empowering Nigerians to pursue their academic aspirations.
- The loan scheme will reduce financial stress on students and families.
- Equal access to higher education for all eligible candidates.
- The application process is simple and easy; you can finish within 15-30 minutes
- The payment of student loan begins two years after NYSC
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Now that you understand the requirements and the benefits involved, let us go ahead and discuss how to apply on the Nelfund Portal;
How To Apply for Federal Government Student Loan Fund 2024
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Federal Government Student Loan in Nigeria on the NELFUND application portal:
The application process involves three stages;
STAGE 1: CREATING AN ACCOUNT
- Step 1: Visit the Nigerian Education Loan Fund website (Nelfund Portal 2025).
- Step 2: Click on the “Apply Now”
- Step 3: Click on “Get Started”
- Step 4: Answer the questions on this page continue, by clicking on “Yes, I am a Nigerian”
- Step 5: Verify your educational information. You would be required to select your school from a dropdown and provide your matric number to check if your school has uploaded your details.
- Step 6: Click the “Verify with JAMB” and enter your JAMB details on the screen.
(Students whose NIN has not been registered with JAMB will have an input field where they can enter their NIN for validation.) - Step 7: Create an account by entering your Email address, Password and Confirm Password in the fields provided and click “Create Account”.
- Step 8: Click the email verification link sent to your email.
This concludes the process of creating an account.
STAGE 2: HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE ON NELFUND APPLICATION PORTAL
After successful registration, log in by clicking the “LOGIN” button to complete your profile.
- Step 1: Enter your email address and password to Login.
- Step 2: Click on the “Proceed to Contact Details” button.
- Step 3: Update contact details with the current information of your Phone Number, Full Residential Address, State of Residence, and Local Government Area of Residence, and click “Proceed to Educational Details”
- Step 4: Update your educational details by selecting your Higher Institution and inputting your Matric Number, then click “Proceed to Account Details”
- Step 5: Verify your BVN by entering your BVN, select your Bank Name, and enter your Account Number. Click “Save Changes” to complete your profile.
How To Apply for Federal Government Student Loan (Cont'd)
STAGE 3: LOAN APPLICATION
- Step 1: Click on the “Request for Student Loan” button at the top right of the screen on the home or loans page after logging into the application.
- Step 2: If you want an upkeep loan, click the check box, and click Continue, if all you need is the institutional charge, click the “Continue” button.
- Step 3: Upload supporting documents. The admission letter is compulsory while the Student ID and Institution Invoice are optional.
Click the checkbox for the policy and declaration and click “Continue” - Step 4: Read the loan overview and click the checkboxes for both the Terms & Conditions and GSI Mandate then click “Submit Application”
- Step 5: Click on the “Loans” button to view the status of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Federal Government Student Loan
Are there any documents to upload during the application process?
- Yes. The two documents required are; Scanned admission letter for new students (compulsory), and scanned Student Identification Card (optional).
Do I need a guarantor to apply for the loan?
- No, the student loan has no requirement for a guarantor.
When is the loan due for repayment?
- The loan is due for repayment 2 years after the completion of NYSC.
What if I don’t get a job after two years post-NYSC?
- You will need to notify NELFUND by sworn court affidavit every 3 (three) months after two years post-NYSC if you are still unable to gain employment.
How will the loan be repaid?
- Two years after your NYSC, ten percent (10%) of your salary will be deducted and debited to the fund by the employer. If you are self-employed , you are required to remit 10% of your monthly profit to the Fund.
What are the consequences of defaulting on the loan?
- Deliberate default could result in a three-year jail term, legal action, and potential damage to your credit score.
Conclusion
- This guide focuses on the steps to follow to successfully apply for the Federal Government Student Loan
- You will need your school’s admission letter (compulsory) and your school ID card (optional)
- Share this post with family and friends to enable them benefit.
