This page entails the compiled list of Scholarships for 100-Level Students in Nigeria 2027 and all available Awards Freshers Can Apply For Currently. Be sure to read all till the last paragraph.
Most Nigerian scholarships ask for a CGPA, which first-year students do not have yet. That is why many freshers assume funding only starts in 200 level. The assumption is mostly right, but a small group of awards is built for 100-level students, and some are decided before you resume.
This guide covers scholarships for 100-level students in Nigeria that matter for 2027. That includes students in the 2026/2027 session and those planning for the next admission cycle. It also lists the student loan that is open now, and the awards you cannot apply for yet but should prepare for. Details were checked on 23 October 2026. Dates and amounts change, so confirm each one on the official portal before you apply.
Can 100-Level Students Apply for Scholarships in Nigeria?
Yes, but the choice is narrower than at 200 level. The Federal Government’s Nigerian Scholarship Award is a good example. Its 2024/2025 advert required undergraduate applicants to be in their second year or above, with at least a 4.0 CGPA on a five-point scale. The NNPC-Renaissance JV scheme likewise asks for 200-level students.
Awards that do accept freshers fall into three groups:
- First-year awards such as NLNG and the Seyi Bickersteth Scholarship.
- Entry awards that you apply for around admission, such as Indomie, the David Oyedepo Foundation and the Pan-Atlantic University Mastercard programme.
- Loans, mainly NELFUND.
Scholarships and Funding Open to Freshers Currently
| Award | Who can apply | What it provides | Latest cycle | Status for 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme | First-year students in federal or state universities | ₦300,000 a year in recent calls, renewable | Closed 12 Dec 2025 | Watch for the next call |
| Seyi Bickersteth Scholarship | 100-level students in federal universities, financially disadvantaged, business and finance courses | Annual grant, mentorship, internships | Closed 13 Aug 2026 | Prepare for the next cycle |
| Indomie Scholarship Program | Students entering public or state tertiary institutions in 2026/2027 | Full tuition | Closed 30 Sep 2026 | Watch for the next cycle |
| David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarship | Applicants to Covenant or Landmark University | Full tuition, up to 5 years | Applications ran around June 2026 | Apply before admission |
| Pan-Atlantic University Mastercard Foundation Scholars | Applicants to Pan-Atlantic University | Tuition, accommodation, living costs | 27 Apr to 22 May 2026 | Expect a spring window |
| MTN Foundation Top 10 UTME Scholarship | Ten highest UTME scorers | Same award as other MTN scholarships | Based on UTME results | Depends on your score |
| TMO Foundation Scholarship (aspirants) | Applicants to federal universities with JAMB 250+ | Small cash award (reported ₦50,000) | Closed 30 May 2026 | Check each year |
| NELFUND student loan | Full-time students in public institutions | Interest-free loan for fees and optional upkeep | Open until 31 Dec 2026 | Apply now if eligible |
First-Year Scholarships
1. NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (UGSS)
This is the best-known scholarship for Nigerian freshers. The 2025 call asked for a Nigerian citizen living in Nigeria, five O’Level credits including English and Mathematics in one sitting, a UTME score of at least 200, and an age between 18 and 25.
The same call barred anyone already receiving another scholarship and anyone related to NLNG staff. Eligible applicants were invited to a computer-based proctored selection test.
Earlier calls described the award as ₦300,000 a year, renewable based on academic performance. The 2025 call closed on 12 December 2025. I could not find a published call for the next cycle as of today. Because recent calls opened in the final months of the year, check the NLNG scholarship portal in November and December.
2. Seyi Bickersteth Scholarship Programme
This programme is rare because it is limited to 100-level students. Applicants must be admitted into a four-year course at a federal university in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Actuarial Science, Insurance or Finance.
Candidates need at least five distinctions in WASSCE, including English and Mathematics. Shortlisted candidates sit an aptitude test, and selection considers academic merit and financial need.
Beyond funding, scholars receive internships and mentorship, and graduates with a First Class or Second Class Upper may be considered for jobs at KPMG, Leadway Assurance or Andersen. The 2026 call closed on 13 August 2026. If you study a qualifying course, keep your WAEC result and admission letter ready for the next call.
Scholarships for Newly Admitted Students and Aspirants
1. Indomie Scholarship Program
The 2026/2027 call is closed, but it shows the pattern. It covered full tuition for Nigerian students entering public and state-owned universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and specialised institutions, renewed yearly if the student kept the required GPA.
Applicants could add their WAEC/NECO and JAMB results later, and shortlisted candidates took a computer-based test followed by physical verification. The deadline was 30 September 2026. A separate Arewa edition for Northern Nigerian students closed on 30 July 2026.
David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarship
This award is tied to two private universities. Nigerian applicants need at least 240 in JAMB and an 80% secondary school average or a 4.0 GPA on a 5.0 scale, and must have started admission processing at Covenant or Landmark University. Coverage is full tuition for up to five years.
Reports differ on the 2026 deadline (19 or 26 June), so use the foundation’s own portal for exact dates. The window falls before admission is final, so apply early.
Pan-Atlantic University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
This programme covers full tuition, accommodation, living expenses, mentorship and career support. The 2026 cycle offered 70 places. Priority went to young women in STEM, internally displaced persons, refugees and persons with disabilities, although all qualified candidates could apply.
Applications opened on 27 April and closed on 22 May 2026. Applicants also need admission to the university.
MTN Foundation Top 10 UTME Scholarship
Most MTN awards go to older students. The Top 10 UTME award goes to the ten highest-scoring candidates, regardless of course or institution. The MTN annual award rose from ₦200,000 to ₦300,000 in 2024. Only a few students qualify, so treat it as a bonus rather than a plan.
TMO Foundation Scholarship
The Michael Olusoji Foundation runs a small programme for aspirants. The 2026 call asked for five O’Level credits including English and Mathematics, a JAMB score of 250 or above, and a plan to enter a federal university. It reported ten aspirant awards of ₦50,000 each. The amount is modest, but the competition is smaller.
NELFUND: The Loan Option for All 100-Level Students
NELFUND is a loan, not a scholarship, but it is the main source of broad funding for freshers. It covers approved school charges and offers an optional ₦20,000 monthly upkeep allowance, interest-free, for students in public institutions. Repayment starts two years after NYSC.
The 2026/2027 application opened on 23 September 2026 and is scheduled to close on 31 December 2026. Newly admitted students must wait for their matriculation number before applying.
You will need your JAMB registration number, NIN and BVN. Check nelf.gov.ng for the current window, since institutions sometimes publish their own deadlines.
Scholarships You Cannot Apply for Yet, and When to Prepare
Some of the biggest awards start at 200 level or later. A strong first-year result is what unlocks them, so your 100-level grades matter.
| Award | Earliest level | Key condition | What to do in 100 level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Government Nigerian Scholarship Award | 200 level | 4.0 CGPA on a 5-point scale | Protect your CGPA and keep your state of origin certificate |
| NNPC/SNEPCo National University Scholarship | 200 level | Second-year, full-time student | Keep your first-year transcript clean |
| NNPC-Renaissance JV Scholarship | 200 level | Not on another oil and gas scholarship | Avoid taking conflicting awards |
| MTN Science and Technology Scholarship | 300 level | STEM course, public institution | Aim for a high CGPA over two years |
The federal adverts say applications are free and that no agents are needed. Treat anyone who asks for money to “secure” an award as a scam.
1. Federal Government BEA Scholarship for Study Abroad
Freshers who want to study overseas can look at the Bilateral Education Agreement scheme. The 2025/2026 advert offered undergraduate places in Russia, Morocco, Hungary, Egypt and Algeria, required seven distinctions in WASSCE, and set an age range of 17 to 20.
Awardees also take a mandatory one-year language course. The last portal ran from 2 December to 12 January. This route suits school leavers more than students already in 100 level, so check the age and certificate rules first.
How to Apply Step by Step
- Confirm your level and institution type. Some awards need a federal university, others accept state universities, and some need pre-admission status.
- Use the official portal only. Open the sponsor’s own website or the portal named in its announcement.
- Gather documents before the call opens. Scan each one clearly and keep files within typical size limits.
- Match your details everywhere. Your name should be the same on your NIN, JAMB result, O’Level result and school records.
- Submit early. Portals slow down near deadlines.
- Prepare for a test. NLNG and Seyi Bickersteth use aptitude or selection tests for shortlisted candidates.
- Track every application. Note the date, portal and confirmation email for each one.
Documents to Keep Ready
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| JAMB result slip | Proves your UTME score |
| WAEC, NECO or NABTEB result | Proves your O’Level credits |
| Admission letter | Confirms your place |
| Matric number or student ID | Needed for NELFUND and school verification |
| NIN and BVN | Required for NELFUND and many payouts |
| Passport photograph | Standard for most forms |
| State of origin or LGA letter | Requested by several sponsors |
| Evidence of financial need | Needed for need-based awards such as Seyi Bickersteth |
Mistakes That Cost Freshers Awards
The most common error is applying for an award that excludes your level. Others include missing a deadline because the call opened while you were busy with registration, submitting results that do not match your NIN, and taking a small award that makes you ineligible for a bigger one.
Many schemes bar students who already hold another scholarship, so read that rule before you accept anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which scholarship is best for 100-level students in Nigeria?
It depends on your course and school. NLNG suits any first-year student at a federal or state university with a strong UTME score and credits. The Seyi Bickersteth Scholarship suits financially disadvantaged students in business and finance courses at federal universities.
Can I apply for the NNPC/SNEPCo scholarship in 100 level?
No. The scheme targets second-year students, so you should aim for it in 200 level.
Is NELFUND a scholarship?
No. It is an interest-free loan. You repay it after NYSC, starting two years later.
Do I need a CGPA to apply as a fresher?
For first-year awards, usually not. They rely on your UTME score, O’Level results and, for some, financial need.
Are scholarships free to apply for?
Yes, official calls do not charge fees. Avoid any site or agent that asks for payment.
When should I start preparing for 2027?
Start now. Collect your documents, apply for NELFUND before 31 December 2026 if you qualify, and check NLNG in the last quarter of the year. Then watch the mid-year windows for Seyi Bickersteth, Indomie, David Oyedepo and Pan-Atlantic.
Conclusion
Scholarships for 100-level students in Nigeria are fewer than at higher levels, but they exist, and they reward early preparation. NLNG and the Seyi Bickersteth Scholarship are the clearest first-year options, while Indomie, David Oyedepo and Pan-Atlantic work around admission. NELFUND can cover fees now, and your first-year grades will open the larger 200-level awards. Keep your documents ready, use only official portals, and check dates before you apply.
Sources
- Federal Ministry of Education, 2024/2025 Nigerian Scholarship Award advert: https://education.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NA-and-EB-ADVT-2024-2025-COMBINED-GUD-gud.pdf
- Federal Ministry of Education, 2025/2026 BEA advert: https://education.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-2026-BEA-ADVERT-Final.pdf
- Renaissance Africa Energy, NNPC-Renaissance JV scholarship: https://renaissanceafrica.com/sustainability/education
- Indomie Arewa Success Scholarship: https://indomie.ng/arewa/scholarship
- Indomie Scholarship Program (via Opportunity Desk): https://opportunitydesk.org/2026/09/24/indomie-scholarship-program-2026/
- NLNG UGSS 2025 call (via Opportunity Desk): https://opportunitydesk.org/2025/11/18/nlng-undergraduate-scholarship-scheme-2026/
- NELFUND portal: https://nelf.gov.ng
An education writer and editor at MyEduTrend, with a decade of experience in the education sector, Zaid covers Nigerian admissions, examinations, scholarships and guides with a focus on accurate, well-researched information.