Latest News on NELFUND Upkeep and What to Do If Your Upkeep Is Not Paid

The National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has become a lifeline for thousands of Nigerian students by providing tuition loans and upkeep allowances to support their studies. However, recent developments have raised questions among beneficiaries, especially students who complain of NELFUND upkeep not paid despite earlier approvals or disbursement notifications.

In this post, we’ll break down the latest updates on upkeep payments, the new guidelines introduced by NELFUND, and practical steps you should take if your allowance has not been credited.

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Understanding NELFUND Upkeep

The upkeep loan is part of the NELFUND scheme designed to help students cover living expenses while studying. Unlike tuition payments which go directly to institutions, upkeep is paid into the student’s bank account. It usually covers essentials like feeding, transport, books, and other day-to-day costs.

Because of its importance, delays or disruptions in upkeep disbursement cause real challenges for students. That is why the recent updates are so important.

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Latest NELFUND News on Upkeep

1. Upkeep Now Tied to Academic Sessions

In August 2025, NELFUND announced that upkeep payments will now be strictly tied to each academic session. Once a school concludes its session, upkeep for that period automatically stops. Students must reapply at the start of every new session to continue receiving funds.

This update aims to:

• Ensure fairness and avoid duplicate payments

• Align disbursements with the academic calendar

• Improve transparency and accountability

2. Confusion Over “Rejected” Status

In July 2025, many students logged into their loan dashboard to find their upkeep status marked as “Rejected”, even after months of successful disbursements. For some, the status showed “Disbursed” but no payment was credited to their account.

This caused confusion and panic across campuses until NELFUND clarified that technical issues and incomplete student or institutional data were responsible.

3. Response From NELFUND

On their official X (Twitter) page, NELFUND reassured students that all outstanding arrears would be cleared. They also urged beneficiaries to update their bank details, especially if they were using fintech platforms (like Kuda, Moniepoint, Opay) that sometimes experience glitches with government disbursements.

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Why Your NELFUND Upkeep May Not Be Paid

If your upkeep allowance has not been credited, here are the likely reasons:

• Academic session not renewed: If your school has ended the academic year and you haven’t reapplied for the new session, you will not be paid.

• Bank account issues: Payments may fail if you use a digital-only bank that is not fully supported.

• Incomplete institutional data: If your school has not uploaded its academic calendar or verified your details, upkeep payments may be withheld.

• Rejected application status: If your dashboard shows “Rejected,” it means you must correct the flagged issue before reapplying.

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What To Do If Your Upkeep Is Not Paid

If you are affected by delayed or missing upkeep, here are steps you can take:

1. Check your NELFUND dashboard: Log in to confirm your status (Disbursed, Pending, or Rejected).

2. Reapply for your current academic session: Since upkeep is session-based, ensure you’ve reapplied once a new session begins.

3. Update your bank details: Switch to a mainstream Nigerian bank if you’re currently using a digital-only option.

4. Contact your institution: Confirm that your school has uploaded the latest academic calendar and verified your student details.

5. Read rejection reasons carefully: If marked “Rejected,” fix the flagged issue before resubmitting.

6. Be patient with arrears: NELFUND has confirmed that backlogs are being cleared in batches.

7. Use official support channels: Reach out via the NELFUND website, verified X handle (@nelfund), or through your institution’s liaison officer.

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What This Means for Students

The move to tie upkeep loans to academic sessions may look stressful, but it actually helps ensure that:

• Only active students receive allowances

• Disbursements are transparent and session-specific

• Errors are easier to trace and resolve

For students, the key takeaway is to stay proactive: update your records, reapply on time, and monitor your portal regularly.

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Final Thoughts

The NELFUND upkeep program remains one of the most impactful support schemes for Nigerian students. While delays and technical issues can be frustrating, the latest guidelines show a push toward greater accountability.

If your upkeep has not been paid, don’t panic. Follow the steps outlined above—check your dashboard, reapply for your current academic session, update your bank details, and engage your institution. With NELFUND actively clearing arrears, most payment issues are expected to be resolved.