NELFUND Warns Schools Over Tuition Refund Delays, Illegal Fee Hikes

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a strong warning to tertiary institutions accused of delaying or refusing to refund tuition fees to students who had already paid before receiving their student loans The Fund said such actions contradict the purpose of the Federal Government’s Student Loan Scheme

NELFUND also expressed concern over reports that some institutions have introduced arbitrary increases in tuition fees and other charges, stressing that these practices place unnecessary financial pressure on students The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that beneficiaries of the loan scheme receive fair treatment

According to the Fund, discussions are already underway with affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that eligible students receive their refunds and that school charges remain transparent and reasonable

NELFUND Condemns Delayed Tuition Refunds

NELFUND disclosed that it has received complaints from students whose tuition fees were paid directly to their institutions through the Student Loan Scheme after they had already settled the fees themselves

The Fund maintained that eligible students deserve prompt refunds and warned that institutions should not hold back payments that rightly belong to beneficiaries

It explained that the student loan programe was designed to eliminate financial barriers to higher education and should never become an avenue for creating additional hardship for Nigerian students

Fund Raises Alarm Over Arbitrary Tuition Fee Increases

Beyond the issue of refunds, NELFUND also frowned at reports of unexplained increases in tuition fees and other institutional charges by some tertiary institutions

The agency warned that arbitrary fee hikes undermine the objectives of the Student Loan Scheme, which was established to make higher education more accessible and affordable

NELFUND stressed that schools must maintain fairness and transparency in setting institutional charges so that students can fully benefit from the intervention programe

Engagement With Institutions Underway

The Fund revealed that it is already engaging affected institutions alongside relevant government authorities to resolve the issues

According to NELFUND, efforts are focused on ensuring that all eligible students receive their tuition refunds without unnecessary delays while encouraging institutions to align their fee structures with the principles of the loan scheme

NELFUND Reaffirms Commitment to Students

NELFUND reiterated that protecting the interests of Nigerian students remains a top priority

The agency assured beneficiaries that it will continue monitoring the implementation of the Student Loan Scheme to preserve its credibility and ensure that the initiative delivers on its promise of expanding access to quality higher education

It added that schools are expected to comply with the scheme’s guidelines and uphold transparency in their financial dealings with students