The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the official opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, giving students across tertiary institutions nationwide access to financial support for their studies.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, disclosed that the application window will open on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and close on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The agency advised fresh students to apply using their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a Matriculation Number, noting that many new students might not yet have matriculated.

NELFUND also appealed to tertiary institutions to show understanding and exercise flexibility in enforcing registration and tuition payment deadlines for students whose loan applications are still being processed.

“Institutions are encouraged to show understanding in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students whose loan applications are still being processed,” the statement read.

In addition, the Fund called on institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session to formally notify NELFUND and submit their approved academic calendars to allow for scheduling adjustments.

Reaffirming its commitment to equitable access to education, NELFUND stressed that no student should lose the opportunity to study due to financial hardship, urging schools to implement temporary registration measures for applicants awaiting loan approval or disbursement.