NELFUND closes 2024/2025 application portal on September 30, as portal transitions to new academic session

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said its application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session will
officially close on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

The Fund said, the closure marks the conclusion of the second full cycle of the scheme and to enable the Fund finalize processing of pending
applications and upkeep payments.

In a statement on Monday by Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi,
Director, Strategic Communications made a available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, read:

“In line with NELFUND’s mandate to support equitable access to higher education across
Nigeria, the Fund is also releasing timelines for the commencement of applications into
the new academic session.

“Closure of Current Session Portal
The 2024/2025 portal will close on September 30, 2025.

“No further student applications will
be accepted after this date.

“Opening of New Application Cycle:
The portal will reopen in the second week of October 2025 for fresh applications into the
2025/2026 academic session.

“This cycle will remain open until January 2026.

“Institutional Records Update:
Institutions are hereby informed to update their students’ records on the Student
Verification System (SVS) to enable students to apply for the 2025/2026 academic session.

“Institutions Yet to Commence New Sessions:
Any institution that has not commenced a new academic session within the stated
application window should notify NELFUND for additional concessions to accommodate
its students.

:Automatic Cancellation of Unverified Applications:
All applications for the 2024/2025 academic session that remain unverified by institutions
after October 8, 2025, will be automatically cancelled. Students in this category are
strongly encouraged to prompt their school management to complete the verification
process before the deadline.

“Affected students will be required to submit fresh
applications for the 2025/2026 academic year.

“Unapproved Applications for 2024/2025:
Students whose applications remain unapproved or unpaid should note that this is due to
their institutions not completing the mandatory verification of student lists.

“NELFUND is
actively engaging with these institutions to resolve the delays.

“However, institutions that
fail to carry out the verification by the stipulated deadline should note that NELFUND will
publish the names of all non-compliant institutions for transparency.

“Upkeep Payments
Upkeep for the 2024/2025 session will continue to be disbursed until November 2025.

“Students must, however, reapply for the 2025/2026 academic session to continue
receiving upkeep payments.”

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director/CE of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde
Sawyerr, stated:
“Announcing the closure of the current application portal is a necessary step to prepare
for the next cycle. NELFUND remains committed to removing financial barriers for students
and to working with institutions to ensure that no eligible student is left behind.

“These timelines provide clarity for students, parents, and institutions to plan ahead and
participate fully in the process.

“We also urge all institutions to update their students’
records on the Student Verification System (SVS) promptly, as this step is critical to
enabling students to access the Fund.”

“To ensure transparency, the final date for institutions to submit verified student records is
October 8, 2025.

“NELFUND encourages students to liaise closely with their institutions, complete their
applications on time, and reapply promptly for the 2025/2026 session to avoid missing out
on the benefits of the scheme.”