Nigerians React As NELFUND Postpones-Student Loan Applications Due To Low-Data Submissions

Nigerians React As NELFUND Postpones-Student Loan Applications Due To Low-Data Submissions

The management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a 14-day postponement of the application process for student loans from state-owned tertiary institutions due to insufficient data submissions. Originally set to begin on June 25, the applications will now commence on July 10, 2024.

In a statement by Nasir Ayitogo, Head of Media and Public Relations at NELFUND, the delay was attributed to the failure of several state-owned institutions to upload the required student data and fees information to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS).

The statement explained, “To date, only a limited number of state-owned institutions have successfully completed the data submission process. These include 20 state universities out of 48, 12 state colleges out of 54, and 2 state polytechnics out of 49. The lack of data from the remaining institutions poses significant challenges to ensuring a seamless and accurate verification process for student loan applicants.”

To address this issue, NELFUND has extended the deadline to provide additional time for state-owned tertiary institutions to comply with the data submission requirements. The extension aims to ensure all eligible students can benefit from the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.

The statement further emphasized the importance of complete and accurate data submissions, including JAMB numbers, matriculation numbers, admission numbers, full names, levels, faculties, departments, program durations, fees, and genders of all eligible students. Incomplete or incorrect data submissions could result in application delays and potential disqualification.

NELFUND urged all state institutions to expedite their data submission processes and ensure the accuracy of the information provided. Institutions that fail to meet the revised deadline risk disadvantaging their students who rely on these loans to support their education.

The fund expressed appreciation for the cooperation of institutions that have already completed their submissions and encouraged others to do so promptly.