How to apply for a NELFUND student loan: step by step
Last checked: 29 October 2026
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) gives loans to Nigerian students in eligible tertiary institutions to cover school charges and, if you choose, upkeep. Applying is done online and is free. Do not pay anyone to apply for you.
What you need
- Your National Identification Number (NIN)
- Your Bank Verification Number (BVN) if you are 18 or older
- Your JAMB registration number (fresh and direct entry students) or matriculation number (current students)
- A valid admission letter to upload
- An account with a commercial bank in your own name
- An email address and phone number you use
Steps
- Open the official NELFUND portal and click Apply Now.
- Create an account with your email address and set a password. Open the verification link sent to your email.
- Enter your NIN and your JAMB number or matriculation number, and select your institution. Your school must have uploaded your record; if you are not found, contact your school's NELFUND desk.
- Complete your profile: phone number, address and bank details, including your BVN. Make sure your names match across NIN, BVN and bank account.
- Click Request for Student Loan and choose institutional charges, upkeep or both. Upkeep is requested together with institutional charges.
- Upload your admission letter, read the declaration, agree to the terms and submit.
- Track your application in the Loans section of your dashboard.
Questions people ask
- Who can apply?
- Nigerian citizens admitted to, or studying full-time at, an eligible tertiary institution. Fresh and direct entry students need admission through JAMB; current students need a matriculation number.
- Who cannot get the loan?
- NELFUND's guidelines exclude people who defaulted on a previous government education loan, people already on a government education loan or scholarship, and people convicted of fraud, forgery, drug offences or other crimes of dishonesty, among others.
- Is there an application fee?
- No. The application is free and fully online.
- Can I use OPay or Moniepoint?
- Reports say microfinance and digital-only wallets are usually not accepted. Use a commercial bank account in your own name.
Rules, fees and dates can change. Check the official portal or office before you pay or travel.