Hundreds of students at UNICAL have started receiving long-awaited refunds. The university says more applications are now being processed through a new automated system.
CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE — The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has disbursed Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) refunds to 1,089 students, marking another phase in the implementation of the Federal Government’s student loan programme. The university announced the development through an official statement.
According to the institution, the refunds were paid to eligible students who had previously met the necessary requirements under the NELFUND scheme. The university also disclosed that 2,090 additional student applications are currently awaiting processing through its newly introduced automated portal, which was designed to improve the speed and transparency of the exercise.
UNICAL explained that the automated platform allows students to submit and track their applications more efficiently while reducing delays in verification and payment. The institution encouraged eligible students who have not yet completed their applications to use the portal and ensure that all required information is correctly submitted to avoid processing delays.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund was established by the Federal Government to provide financial support for eligible students in public tertiary institutions across the country. Under the programme, students can access funding for tuition and other approved educational expenses, with participating institutions working alongside NELFUND to facilitate verification and refunds where applicable.
The development means more students at UNICAL could receive their NELFUND refunds as pending applications move through the verification process. The university’s adoption of an automated portal is also expected to improve efficiency and reduce administrative bottlenecks, supporting broader efforts to expand access to higher education financing in Nigeria. Students with pending applications are advised to monitor official university communication channels for updates on their application status.
