step-by-step guide on how to apply for the NELFUND student loan:

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)* was created to support students financially by providing *interest-free loans* for both *school fees* and *monthly upkeep*. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how the process works from start to finish:

1. Registration on the NELFUND Portal

Every student begins by creating an account on the official NELFUND platform.

• You will be required to provide:
• Your personal details
• Your academic information
• Your school details
• Your financial needs (school fees + upkeep)

Once this is completed, your application enters the PENDING stage.

2. Verification Stage (VERIFIED Status)

The NELFUND Team then reviews your documents carefully.

At this stage, they confirm:

• That you are a legitimate student
• That the fees you entered match the school’s records
• That your upkeep request is valid

When all checks are completed successfully, your status changes to VERIFIED

3. Approval Stage (APPROVED Status)

After verification, your application is sent for final approval.

Once approved:

•  Your *monthly upkeep* becomes ready for disbursement.
•  Your *upkeep allowance* may begin rolling in (depending on the cycle).

This is the stage where students are told that their upkeep has *“been approved for disbursement.”

4. Disbursement Stage (DISBURSED Status)

At this point, two things happen:

A. Upkeep Disbursement*

Your monthly allowance is sent directly to your bank account.

B. School Fees Disbursement*

Your school fees are sent *directly to the institution,* not to you.

If you previously paid your school fees before NELFUND disbursed, you will be required to *apply for a refund* through the approved channel.

5. What Happens After Disbursement?

Students continue to receive their monthly upkeep according to the payment schedule.

After graduation and NYSC, loan repayment begins; but note that it is:

• Interest-free*
• Income-dependent*
• And designed to be convenient.

You begin repayment only when you start earning above the stipulated income threshold.

SUMMARY

• PENDING:* You just applied.
• VERIFIED:* Your details have been confirmed.
• APPROVED:* Your upkeep is set for disbursement.
• DISBURSED:* Your school fees have been paid to your school; apply for refund if needed

Apply Now