The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has accused some tertiary institutions of withholding tuition refunds from students and arbitrarily increasing school fees despite benefiting from the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
The agency disclosed this in a public notice issued on Monday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, following reports that some institutions had failed to refund students who paid their tuition before NELFUND later disbursed the same fees directly to the schools.
NELFUND said it had also received complaints that some institutions were raising tuition and other charges, a development it described as contrary to the objectives of the student loan programme.
The Fund said it had commenced engagements with the affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that all eligible students receive their refunds without further delay.
“NELFUND has received reports that some institutions are refusing or delaying refunds to students who had paid their tuition fees before the Fund subsequently disbursed the same fees directly to the institutions,” the statement read.
It added, “The Fund is also concerned about arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges by some higher institutions, as such actions undermine the objectives of the student loan programme.”
According to the agency, the student loan scheme introduced by the Federal Government was designed to remove financial barriers to higher education, not to create additional burdens for students and their families.
The Fund said it was taking steps to ensure that tuition and other institutional charges remain fair, transparent and consistent with the goals of the scheme.
“NELFUND remains committed to protecting the interests of students and preserving the integrity of this landmark national intervention,” the agency stated.
It added that it would continue to safeguard the credibility of the student loan programme and ensure that beneficiaries enjoy the full benefits of the Federal Government’s education financing initiative without being subjected to exploitative practices by institutions.
