Student loan programme to launch on Friday: Here is how to apply

The long-awaited student loan programme will commence on Friday, benefiting 1.2 million students in federal tertiary institutions across Nigeria,

Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund announced this during a pre-application sensitisation press conference in Abuja on Monday.

Sawyerr revealed that the first phase of the programme will include students from federal universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and technical colleges.

President Bola Tinubu signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law on April 3, following considerations by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Steps to Apply for the Loan:

1. Visit: www.nelf.gov.ng
2. Click: “Apply Now”
3. Click: “Get Started”
4. Answer: the questions and click “Yes, I am a Nigerian”
5. Verify: your educational information by selecting your school and providing your matric number.
6. Click: “Verify with JAMB” and enter your JAMB details (or NIN if not registered with JAMB).
7. Create an account: with your email, password, and confirm password, then click “Create Account”.
8. Verify email: by clicking the link sent to your email.

How to Complete Your Profile:

1. Login: with your email and password.
2. Click: “Proceed to Contact Details” and update your contact information.
3. Click: “Proceed to Educational Details” and update your higher institution and matric number.
4. Click: “Proceed to Account Details” and verify your BVN by entering your BVN, bank name, and account number.

How to Apply for the Loan:

1. Click: “Request for Student Loan” after logging in.
2. Choose: if you want an upkeep loan or just institutional charges, then click “Continue”.
3. Upload: supporting documents (admission letter required, student ID and institution invoice optional).
4. Agree: to policy and declaration, then click “Continue”.
5. Read: loan overview, agree to Terms & Conditions and GSI Mandate, then click “Submit Application”.
6. Check status: by clicking “Loans” to view your application status.

The detailed step-by-step process aims to ensure easy access to the loan for eligible students, enabling them to pursue higher education without financial burdens.