Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), on Thursday hosted top officials of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) on a sensitisation visit aimed at boosting awareness and participation in the Federal Government’s student loan scheme. In his welcome address, the Acting Rector, Dr. Olorunwa Simon Adegun, represented by the Chairman, Committee of Deans, Mr. Segun Omosuli, described NELFUND as a strategic intervention designed to prevent tertiary education from becoming unaffordable for children from low-income backgrounds. He noted that the visit provided the Polytechnic community with a timely platform to gain deeper insight into the loan application process, dispel misconceptions, and address challenges faced by students. Speaking, the Executive Director (Operations), NELFUND, Mr. Mustapha Iyal, assured that all students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, would be covered, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Mr. Iyal explained that only students captured on the JAMB database are qualified to apply, stressing the importance of having valid email addresses for verification and communication purposes. He listed the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and either matriculation or JAMB registration numbers as key requirements, advising applicants to carefully complete their forms and ensure they select the “receive upkeep” option to qualify for monthly stipends. He disclosed that tuition fees would be paid directly to the institution before monthly upkeep allowances are disbursed to students, adding that payments are tied to beneficiaries’ active student status. According to him, disbursement is effected within five to seven working days after institutional verification, while application windows open a few months into each academic session. On repayment, he stated that beneficiaries would begin repayment two years after graduation and completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), through a 10 per cent monthly income deduction. Also speaking, the Director of SERVICOM, NELFUND, Mr. Sola Fowobaje, pledged continuous sensitisation support to the Polytechnic. The visit featured an interactive session and was applauded by management and students as a significant boost to access to higher education. Those in attendance included the Acting Registrar, Mr. O. M. Oloye; Acting Bursar, Mr. O. O. Oyesusi; NELFUND Desk Officer, Dr (Mrs) Modupe Adeolu; Acting Director, ICT, Mr. Adewale Fadero, Mrs. M. T. Kolawole as well as other NELFUND officials, including Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director, Strategic Communication, and Mr Folayemi Ogunniya. Also present were the newly elected President of the RUGIPO Students’ Union Government (SUG), Mr Onile Olaniyi, and the Union’s Secretary, Mr Fabiyi Emmanuel.
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