NELFUND: Why some Students may not Receive the ₦20,000 Student Loan upkeep this Month

Nexus May 22, 2025 0

Many Nigerian students who are beneficiaries of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) woke up this month expecting to receive their monthly upkeep allowance — but nothing came. This silence has caused fear, confusion, and frustration, especially for students who rely heavily on this money for feeding, transport, and school supplies.

If you are one of the students affected, don’t panic.

This is why some students may not receive upkeep this month. In this blog post, we will break down the reason, what students can do next, and how to stay informed about future payments.

Also, for students who are urgently in need of funds, we’ll guide you on how to apply for alternative student loan options in Nigeria that pay directly in Naira (₦) — with low interest and fast approval.

What is NELFUND upkeep allowance?

The upkeep allowance is part of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative launched by the Federal Government. Apart from paying your school fees directly to your institution, NELFUND also provides monthly upkeep funds to help students with basic living expenses.

This money is credited to the student’s bank account every month, and it has been a major relief for many students in both federal and state institutions.

So, when a student doesn’t receive upkeep in a particular month, it’s understandable why there would be panic.

Why some students did not receive upkeep this month

There are four major reasons why some students did not receive their upkeep allowance this month:

1. School has not completed verification

One of the most common reasons is that the student’s school has not completed the institutional verification process. NELFUND depends on data provided by the institutions to process student payments. If your school has not sent the full and correct list of verified students, you may not be included in the payment batch.

What you can do:
Visit your school’s student affairs or bursary department and confirm if your name has been sent and verified by NELFUND. If not, request urgent attention.

2. Student did not complete loan profile

Many students rushed through the loan application and missed important steps such as:

• Verifying their email

• Completing biodata

• Uploading a valid student ID

• Submitting their correct bank details

If any of these steps are missing or wrongly done, your payment will be delayed.

Fix it now:
Log into the NELFUND Student Loan Portal and crosscheck your application. Make sure all required documents are uploaded and your details match your school records.

3. Account issues with student’s bank

Another issue comes from the student’s bank account. If you provided a dormant, closed, or restricted bank account, the payment will fail. Also, if there are discrepancies in your BVN name and your school name, it can affect your payment.

Action point:
Make sure your bank account is active and your BVN matches your school record. If your account is not receiving payment, consider opening a new account and updating it on the NELFUND portal.

4. You are in a non-disbursed school

Some schools are not yet approved for disbursement due to internal issues like accreditation, data submission delay, or school management not cooperating with NELFUND.

Next steps:
Check if your school is listed among the approved disbursement schools. You can find the list on the NELFUND website or ask your school ICT or Bursary unit.

What you should do if you need money urgently

If your upkeep allowance is delayed and you urgently need money to take care of yourself, don’t worry. There are now many fast and low-interest student loan options in Nigeria that you can explore.

Some of these options will pay directly into your bank account within 24 to 48 hours, and you can pay back monthly or when you graduate.

Here are some urgent loan options you can consider right now:

Apply now for fast student loan in Naira (₦)

1. Carbon Loan App

• Loan Amount: ₦5,000 – ₦500,000

• Interest: Very low for students

• Disbursement: Same day

• No collateral

• Apply now through the Carbon app or website.

2. FairMoney Loan

• Designed for students and small business owners

• Pays directly to your bank in minutes

• Loan up to ₦1 million

• Flexible repayment

• Apply now online

3. Branch Loan

• No paperwork

• Based on your phone data and credit history

• Get loan approval within 2 hours

• Safe and trusted

• Try it now

Important Note: Before applying for any loan, make sure you understand the repayment terms. Do not take a loan you cannot repay. But if you are in urgent need and your NELFUND upkeep is delayed, this is a smart solution.

Is your school among NELFUND’s approved schools?

As of the last update, NELFUND has released a list of over 100 approved institutions whose students are eligible for upkeep allowance.

How to check:

• Visit nelf.gov.ng

• Go to the “Approved Schools” section

• Search your institution

If your school is not listed, your payment will be delayed until your school is approved.

Why you should not apply for the loan twice

Some students think reapplying for the student loan will speed up the payment. But NELFUND has warned that duplicate applications may cause further delay or automatic disqualification.

Instead, check your current application status and fix any errors.

How to check your NELFUND loan status

1. Go to the official NELFUND student portal

2. Login with your email and password

3. Navigate to “Loan Status”

4. Check if your application is “Approved,” “Pending,” or “Incomplete”

5. If it says “Incomplete,” edit and complete your profile immediately.

Tips to avoid missing future payments

To avoid missing your upkeep allowance again next month, follow these tips:

• Verify your school has submitted your data

• Check your email regularly for NELFUND updates

• Ensure your bank account is correct and active

• Use your real name across all documents

• Update your student portal profile regularly

Apply for NELFUND loan if you’ve not done so

If you are a student in a public university, polytechnic, or college of education and have not yet applied for NELFUND, you’re missing out.

The loan covers your school fees and monthly upkeep, and you only start paying after you graduate and get a job.

Eligibility:

• Must be a Nigerian student

• Must be enrolled in an accredited public institution

• Must not have any criminal record

• Must have a valid student ID

Apply now at nelf.gov.ng and secure your financial future.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still receive my NELFUND upkeep next month?

Yes. Once your school submits the correct data and your profile is complete, you will be added to the next disbursement batch.

Will I get paid for the missed month?

In most cases, yes. NELFUND has assured students that missed payments will be credited once their details are confirmed.

Can I apply for another loan if I already have NELFUND?

Yes. You can apply for short-term loans to support your needs. Just ensure you can repay. Many students use apps like Carbon, FairMoney, and PalmCredit as a temporary fix while waiting for NELFUND.

What if my school is not cooperating?

You and your student union can write to the management and demand that your school comply with NELFUND requirements. You can also tag NELFUND on social media for help.

Conclusion

The delay in this month’s NELFUND upkeep payment is painful, but it’s not the end of the world. The fund has explained the reasons behind the delay, and the good news is that it’s a temporary issue — not a permanent one.

Make sure your profile is updated, your bank account is active, and your school has submitted your data. Also, if you need urgent money now, consider applying for a student loan in Nigeria that pays you in Naira directly to your bank.

Remember, smart students always have a backup plan. Use this moment to fix your records and stay financially stable. Apply for alternative loans only if necessary and stay in control of your finances.