The management of Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare (ASCOEA) has officially announced the closure date for the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to a circular issued on February 6, 2026, through the Office of the Registrar, students of the institution have until Thursday, 27 February 2026 to complete all loan application processes. Beyond this date, the portal will no longer accept submissions under the current academic session.

This announcement serves as a final reminder for students who intend to rely on the federal student loan scheme to finance their education.

Why This Deadline Is Important for ASCOEA Students

NELFUND is a federal government initiative designed to support students in public tertiary institutions with interest-free education loans. However, the scheme depends heavily on institutional verification, meaning students must meet specific college requirements before their applications can be approved.

At ASCOEA, the college plays a key role in confirming student eligibility through its Student Verification System (SVS). Only students whose records are fully updated and validated by the institution can successfully access the loan.

First Semester Registration Is Mandatory

One of the most critical points emphasized by the college is that first semester registration is compulsory for all students applying for NELFUND.

In simple terms:
If you are not registered, you cannot access the loan.

How Registration Affects NELFUND Approval

• The NELFUND portal is linked to ASCOEA’s student database
  
• Unregistered students are marked as inactive in the system
  
• Inactive students automatically face application rejection or data mismatch errors
  
• Registration confirms student status and validates eligibility for federal funding
  

Students are therefore advised to complete their registration well before the deadline to avoid technical or administrative setbacks.

Instructions for Fresh and Returning Students

The college has issued tailored guidance for different categories of students to ensure smooth processing before the portal closes.

For Newly Admitted Students

Fresh students must ensure that all admission processes are finalized:

• Complete departmental and institutional screening
  
• Obtain an official admission letter
  
• Ensure name consistency across JAMB, admission records, and the NELFUND portal
  
• Complete first semester registration immediately
  

Delays at this stage may prevent the system from recognizing the student as eligible.

For Returning Students

Returning students are also required to verify their records:

• Confirm correct academic level for the 2025/2026 session
  
• Update personal details if necessary
  
• Ensure tuition information reflects the current session
  

Students who benefited from NELFUND previously must still complete registration to remain eligible.

No Extensions After February 27

The college management has made it clear that no late applications will be entertained after the deadline. The three-week notice period was provided to allow students enough time to resolve technical issues or documentation errors.

The circular has been shared with:

• Principal officers of the college
  
• Faculty and departmental heads
  
• The Student Union Government (SUG) leadership
  

This is to ensure widespread awareness across the campus community.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Students who fail to apply before the portal closes may face serious consequences, including:

• Loss of access to federal education loans for the session
  
• Full responsibility for tuition and related fees
  
• Possible delays in registration or academic clearance
  
• Ineligibility for NELFUND until the next academic session
  

Missing the deadline could therefore affect both academic progression and financial stability.

Final Reminder to Students

The February 27, 2026 deadline for NELFUND applications at Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare, is final. Students are strongly encouraged to treat this announcement with urgency, complete their registration, and secure the financial support needed for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Early action today could prevent major academic and financial challenges tomorrow.