nelfund portal _ Students Loan Portal

How to Apply for a NELFUND Student Loan: Step by Step

The NELFUND application is free and done entirely online. This page follows the process in NELFUND's published guidelines, with details from guides that walk through the portal screens. Use only NELFUND's own website, nelf.gov.ng. Guides also name portal.nelf.gov.ng as the login address, so confirm the link from the main site.

Before you start

  • Your JAMB number, or matric number if you are already enrolled.
  • A NIN and BVN whose names match your school and JAMB records.
  • A working email address, phone number and a bank account in your own name for upkeep.
  • Your admission letter and a passport photograph.

Steps

  1. Create an account. Register with your email and details. Guides describe confirming you are a Nigerian citizen at this stage.
  2. Verify your school record. Select your institution and enter your matric or JAMB number. If your school has not uploaded its data, verification can fail.
  3. Complete your profile. Add personal details, your bank details for upkeep and your passport photograph.
  4. Upload documents. Attach your admission letter. A student ID is optional.
  5. Request the loan. Choose institutional charges only, or institutional charges plus upkeep. NELFUND has said students can take institutional charges without the upkeep.
  6. Sign the attestation and indemnity. These confirm your eligibility and allow your data to be verified.
  7. Wait for evaluation and approval. The guidelines say evaluation is automated and takes seven calendar days, with approval and an emailed agreement within 30 days of evaluation.
  8. Sign the loan agreement and GSI mandate. Both are signed on the portal before money is disbursed.

What happens after approval

Institutional charges are paid straight to your school within 30 days of disbursement approval, subject to available funds. The school must confirm receipt and issue you a receipt within seven days. Upkeep, if requested, goes to your own account.

Timing rules to know

NELFUND said in August 2025 that upkeep is tied to each institution's academic session, so you apply at the start of each session. Applying for upkeep for a session that has already ended can be rejected. Application windows are set by NELFUND, and the 2025/2026 window was reported to have opened on October 23, 2025. Check the current window on the official site.

Do not do this

  • Do not pay anyone to apply or "approve" your loan.
  • Do not share your NIN, BVN, password or one-time codes with agents or on this site.

Register step by step in the registration guide, see the full flow in the application process post, and fix problems on the common issues page. Check eligibility first.

Practical checklist

Use the official portal for current status, verify your information carefully, save confirmation details, and avoid third parties requesting payment.

Related guidance

See eligibility, application guidance, common issues, repayment and official links.