NELFUND Closes 2024/2025 Student Loan Portal, Announces New Application Timeline

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially closed the application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session, effective Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This marks the end of the second full cycle of the government-backed, interest-free student loan program aimed at expanding access to higher education across the country.

Fresh Application Timeline for 2025/2026

According to a statement from NELFUND, the loan application portal will reopen in the second week of October 2025 for new entries into the 2025/2026 academic session. The application window will remain open until January 2026, giving students sufficient time to apply.

The Fund emphasized that institutions must update student records on the Student Verification System (SVS) to enable eligible candidates to complete their applications. Schools that have not yet commenced new academic sessions have been advised to officially notify NELFUND for possible concessions.

Cancellation of Unverified Applications

Students who submitted applications in the 2024/2025 cycle but remain unverified face automatic cancellation after October 8, 2025. Affected applicants are encouraged to follow up with their institutions for verification or reapply in the new cycle.

NELFUND also disclosed that delays in approval or disbursement for some students were caused by incomplete verification at the institutional level. To improve transparency, the agency is working directly with non-compliant schools and has pledged to publish their names.

Upkeep Payments and Reapplication Requirement

Ongoing upkeep payments for the current academic year will continue until November 2025. However, students must reapply to benefit from financial support in the 2025/2026 session.

NELFUND’s Position

Speaking on the development, NELFUND Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, said the closure of the current application cycle is necessary to prepare for the upcoming session.

“NELFUND remains committed to removing financial barriers for students. We urge all institutions to promptly update student records on the SVS, as this step is critical to ensuring access to the Fund,” he said.

He further encouraged students to apply early and stay informed through the Fund’s official communication channels.

The student loan scheme is a major milestone in education financing in Nigeria, providing an interest-free alternative for undergraduates in public institutions. With the rising cost of tuition and living expenses, the loan has become a vital support system for thousands of students nationwide.

The closure of the 2024/2025 NELFUND portal sets the stage for a new cycle of applications. Students are advised to prepare their documents, ensure their records are verified by their institutions, and apply early once the 2025/2026 cycle opens.