The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially launched its online portal for student loan applications for the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to a statement issued Tuesday via the agency’s official social media platforms, the application window will open on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and remain active until Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The loan scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions across the country.
NELFUND urged universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to upload verified data of both new and returning students to the Student Verification Portal to enable a seamless application process.
The agency noted that students awaiting matriculation numbers may apply using their JAMB registration or admission numbers, while institutions were encouraged to offer flexible registration timelines for applicants awaiting loan disbursements.
“Institutional cooperation is critical to ensuring a fair and inclusive loan process,” the statement read, adding that institutions that have not commenced the new academic session should notify NELFUND with their approved calendars to support proper scheduling.
NELFUND also appealed to schools to consider temporary registration options for students whose loans are still being processed to avoid disruptions in academic access due to financial constraints.
The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to preventing education loss on account of funding issues and encouraged applicants to visit the official loan portal at www.drugandvisa.ndlea.gov.ng for application and support.
For further assistance, students and school officials are advised to reach out via NELFUND’s verified communication channels on X, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
