How to Check NELFUND Loan Approval Status as of June 2025 Update
Is Your Name on the List?
Have you applied for the NELFUND student loan and are still anxiously waiting to know if it’s been approved? You’re not alone. Many Nigerian students are refreshing their dashboards daily, hoping to see the words “Approved” pop up.
With over ₦59 billion disbursed to 298,124 students across the country as of June 2025, the NELFUND scheme is no longer just a promise, it’s happening. But knowing how and where to check your approval status is just as important as applying.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to confirm if your student loan has been approved, explain what each dashboard status means, and answer the most pressing questions other students are asking.
How to Check Your NELFUND Loan Approval Status
You don’t need to visit any physical office. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you check your status online:
Step 1: Visit the NELFUND Student Loan Portal
Go to the official portal: www.nelf.gov.ng
Be careful: Avoid fake sites or loan scammers pretending to be NELFUND.
Step 2: Login with Your Credentials
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Enter your email and password used during registration
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If you’ve forgotten your login, use the “Forgot Password” option.
Step 3: Check Dashboard Messages
Once logged in, look out for one of the following status updates:
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Pending Verification – Your documents are still being reviewed.
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Approved – Congratulations! Your loan has been granted.
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Disbursed – Funds have been sent to your institution.
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Rejected – Your application didn’t meet the requirements (you may reapply during the next cycle).
Real experience: “My dashboard was stuck on ‘pending’ for 2 weeks,” says Aisha, a 200-level student in UNILAG. “Then suddenly, I saw ‘Approved’ with a breakdown of the disbursement amount.”
How Much Has NELFUND Disbursed So Far?
As of June 7, 2025:
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₦59 Billion has been disbursed
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298,124 students have benefited
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Students from 126 higher institutions across Nigeria received funds
This includes both tuition payments to schools and the upkeep allowance, which is deposited directly into students’ personal bank accounts.
Which Institutions Have Received NELFUND Payments?
While NELFUND aims to cover all approved institutions, the first batch mostly focused on:
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Federal Universities
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Some State-owned universities
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Selected polytechnics and colleges of education
✅ Tip: Your institution must be on the verified list of approved institutions to receive disbursement. If it’s not, check back during the next update cycle or contact your school’s student affairs office.
What If You Haven’t Been Approved Yet?
Not seeing “Approved” doesn’t always mean rejection. Here’s what you can do:
What to Do:
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Be patient – Many applications are still under review
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Check email notifications regularly
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Update your dashboard if you missed any information
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Contact NELFUND support if your dashboard is inactive for over 3 weeks
👩💻 Support Contact: support@nelf.gov.ng
FAQs – Common Questions About NELFUND Approval
1. How do I know if I was selected for NELFUND?
Check your dashboard on nelf.gov.ng. If you see “Approved,” then you’ve been selected.
2. Is the NELFUND upkeep allowance real?
Yes. Many students have confirmed receiving upkeep funds in their personal bank accounts after loan approval.
3. When is the next NELFUND batch coming out?
NELFUND has stated that disbursements are ongoing in batches. Keep checking your dashboard or follow their verified social handles for updates.
4. Can I reapply if my loan was rejected?
Yes. NELFUND allows you to reapply in the next batch, especially if your school or data was not correctly submitted.
5. What if I made a mistake during registration?
You can correct certain information by logging into your dashboard. For major issues, contact NELFUND support directly.
Conclusion: Stay Informed and Don’t Give Up
Checking your NELFUND loan status might feel like checking WAEC results all over again, anxious, hopeful, and sometimes frustrating. But hang in there.
The process is ongoing, and more students are getting approved daily. Whether you’re still waiting or already among the lucky ones, this is proof that education support in Nigeria is finally taking a serious turn.
“My younger brother finally got his loan approved after two months — and yes, the school fees were paid directly to his university,” says Joy from Akwa Ibom.
So, keep checking, stay updated, and spread the word. Education just got more possible.
