The management of Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare has issued an official notice to students who are beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), informing them that the Fund has begun the disbursement of approved school fees directly into the College’s account.
According to a statement released by the Office of the Registrar, the disbursement is being carried out in line with the provisions of the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024. Following the receipt of the funds, the College commenced a verification and reconciliation process to ensure that the amounts received from NELFUND are correctly applied to the accounts of students who benefited from the loan scheme.
Purpose of the Funds
The College clarified that all funds received from NELFUND are meant strictly for the payment of school fees for students who are beneficiaries of the scheme. These funds are paid directly into the institution’s account and then credited to the school fee accounts of the affected students.
Management explained that the disbursement is intended to cover the school fees of beneficiaries for the entire academic session. This means that once the payment from NELFUND is successfully processed and credited, beneficiaries are not expected to make additional payments for their sessional school fees.
Refund of Previously Paid Fees
The institution also noted that some students who later became beneficiaries of the loan scheme had already paid part of their school fees before the NELFUND disbursement was made.
In such cases, the College will refund the exact amount previously paid by those students. According to management, this measure is necessary to prevent cases of double payment.
Students who had earlier paid their first semester school fees before the disbursement will therefore receive refunds equivalent to the amount they initially paid. Meanwhile, the NELFUND payment will be used to cover the full sessional school fees, including the second semester.
Verification and Reconciliation Process
The College further explained that it is currently conducting a verification exercise involving the list of beneficiaries and the amounts received from NELFUND. This step is necessary to ensure that all payments are properly credited to the appropriate student accounts.
During this process, the institution is also reconciling its financial records to identify students who had previously paid fees and are therefore eligible for refunds. Management assured students that these procedures are important to ensure transparency and accuracy in the handling of the funds.
Issuance of Sessional Receipts
For accounting and statutory compliance purposes, the College will issue a sessional receipt to each student who benefited from the NELFUND payment.
The receipt will reflect the full amount of school fees paid by NELFUND on behalf of the student for the academic session. According to the management, this documentation is necessary for auditing and official record keeping.
Students are advised to keep these receipts as proof that their school fees have been settled through the loan programme.
Engagement With Students and Union Leaders
The management also disclosed that discussions have already taken place with the leadership of the Students’ Union regarding the disbursement and refund process.
In addition, several affected students were addressed by the Provost and the Registrar in front of the Administrative Complex, where the procedures and timelines for the refund process were explained. The meeting was aimed at ensuring transparency and keeping students informed about the steps being taken by the institution.
Refund Timeline
According to the Office of the Registrar, the refund process is already ongoing following the necessary verification and financial procedures. The College stated that the exercise will help determine which students are eligible for refunds and ensure that the correct amounts are paid.
Management expressed confidence that the entire process will be completed within the specified timeframe. All eligible refunds are expected to be finalized on or before Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Advice to Students
Students who are beneficiaries of the loan scheme have been advised to remain calm while the verification and reconciliation processes are being completed. The College emphasized that these procedures are necessary to ensure fairness, transparency, and proper financial accountability.
Students were also encouraged to rely only on official communications from the institution for updates regarding the disbursement and refund process.
Conclusion
The management of Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund receive the full benefits of the programme. Through the ongoing verification and refund process, the College aims to ensure that the funds are properly applied and that any previously paid fees are refunded accordingly.
Signed:
Abdullahi Babbaji
Registrar