The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a delay in the availability of student loans for state-owned institutions. The application process, initially scheduled to begin on June 25, 2024, has been postponed by 14 days to July 10, 2024, due to insufficient data submissions from these institutions.
As of now, only 20 out of 48 state universities, 12 out of 54 state colleges, and 2 out of 49 state polytechnics have successfully completed the necessary data submission process, which is essential for verifying loan applicants. This low response rate has made it challenging to ensure a smooth and accurate verification process for the students seeking loans.
In a statement released in Abuja, NELFUND emphasized the importance of timely and accurate data submission, highlighting that the extension aims to provide additional time for the remaining state institutions to comply with the requirements. This compliance is crucial for students at these institutions to benefit from the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
To ensure an efficient and error-free application process, NELFUND requires all state institutions to submit complete and accurate information. This includes JAMB numbers, matriculation numbers, admission numbers, full names, levels, faculties, departments, program durations, fees, and the gender of all eligible students. Incomplete or incorrect data submissions will lead to application delays and potential disqualification for the affected students.
NELFUND has urged all state institutions to expedite their data submission processes and ensure the accuracy of the information provided. The fund also warned that institutions failing to meet the revised deadline might disadvantage their students who rely on these loans to support their education.
This postponement is intended to ensure that all eligible students have an equal opportunity to access the loans, provided their institutions meet the data submission requirements in time.
Solid FM | March 27, 2024
