The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially announced the closure of its 2024/2025 student loan application window. According to the update, the portal for student applications will shut down on September 30, 2025. This marks the end of the maiden phase of the federal government-backed loan scheme aimed at supporting students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
For students, parents, and institutions, this announcement carries important details regarding deadlines, verification processes, and the upcoming 2025/2026 NELFUND application cycle.
📌 Key Highlights of the Announcement
- Closure Date: September 30, 2025 (for 2024/2025 applications)
- Verification Deadline: October 8, 2025 (all applications must be verified by institutions)
- Next Cycle Opening: Second week of October 2025
- Next Cycle Closing: January 2026
- Institutions’ Role: Update student records on the Student Verification System (SVS) before deadlines
- Unverified Applications: Will be automatically canceled after October 8, 2025
Why is NELFUND Closing the 2024/2025 Application?
The closure is part of a structured timeline designed to ensure that all student loan applications are properly verified and processed before the start of the next academic session. The fund is aligning its loan disbursement calendar with school admission timelines and the national academic calendar.
This also allows NELFUND to prepare for the 2025/2026 academic session, which will admit a fresh batch of applicants.
What Happens to Students with Pending or Unverified Applications?
NELFUND has made it clear that:
- Any pending application not verified by the applicant’s institution on the Student Verification System (SVS) before October 8, 2025 will be canceled automatically.
- Such students will need to reapply during the 2025/2026 cycle.
- Institutions have been urged to update all students’ records promptly to avoid mass cancellations.
NELFUND 2025/2026 Application Cycle
Good news for prospective applicants: NELFUND has already released the timeline for the next application round.
- Opening Date: Second week of October 2025
- Closing Date: January 2026
- Eligibility: All Nigerian students in public tertiary institutions (universities, polytechnics, colleges of education) who meet the requirements.
This timeline gives students about three months to complete their applications.
Institutions’ Role in the Application Process
For the system to work smoothly, tertiary institutions must actively participate by:
- Updating student enrollment data on the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS).
- Confirming students’ admission status and program details.
- Ensuring that all necessary institutional verifications are done before the October 8, 2025 deadline.
Institutions that have not yet commenced new academic sessions but fall within the NELFUND timeline have been asked to notify NELFUND to arrange special accommodation.
How Students Can Prepare for the 2025/2026 NELFUND Application
Students who missed out on the 2024/2025 loan cycle or whose applications are canceled should begin preparing for the next round by:
- Gathering all required documents (admission letter, student ID, institutional details, NIN, BVN, etc.).
- Confirming that their institution is participating and updating records on the SVS.
- Starting early in October 2025 to avoid last-minute rush before the January 2026 closing date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on NELFUND Loan Application Closure
1. When will the NELFUND 2024/2025 application portal close?
👉 September 30, 2025.
2. What happens if my application is not verified by my school?
👉 It will be canceled after October 8, 2025, and you’ll have to reapply in the 2025/2026 cycle.
3. When will the next application cycle open?
👉 The 2025/2026 NELFUND student loan application will open in the second week of October 2025 and run until January 2026.
4. Who is eligible to apply?
👉 Nigerian students enrolled in accredited public tertiary institutions across the country.
5. Can private university students apply?
👉 Currently, NELFUND loans are designed for students in public institutions only.Conclusion
The closure of the NELFUND 2024/2025 application marks the beginning of a transition into a new academic cycle. Students are advised to pay close attention to the deadlines, ensure their institutions verify their applications, and prepare early for the 2025/2026 cycle.
With NELFUND, the federal government is gradually reshaping access to education financing in Nigeria, giving students the opportunity to focus more on learning and less on financial struggles.
👉 Direct Source: NELFUND Official Update via Myschool.ng
