The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session.

A statement released by the agency on Tuesday revealed that the portal will open from Thursday, 23 October 2025, to Saturday, 31 January 2026.

While calling on fresh students to apply using either their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of Matriculation Number, the statement encouraged institutions “to show understanding in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement.”

“Institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session should formally write to NELFUND with their approved academic calendar for scheduling flexibility.”

The Fund tasked institutions to update and upload verified records of both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal, stressing that this is essential for students to successfully apply for and benefit from the scheme.