What to Expect From CRF This Batch (Updated)

We have been inundated with support requests to know more about what to expect from the College Relief Fund Initiative in the current batch, especially with the changes that have recently occurred.

NOTE: This article has been updated to include a Naira & Sense section. Please scroll down to the section and ensure to read the main article and see why it is now compulsory.

REMAINING BATCHES

The College Relief Fund scholarship for Nigerian candidates was secured to run for an initial 8 batches (four academic years) with the hope of renewal or securing additional funding from local or international partners in education and youth development. The current 2024 Batch A is the 8th batch for Nigerian candidates.

We remain hopeful that additional funding will be secured locally for the expansion and continuation of the Nigerian fund.

SHORTLISTS

There have been 7 major shortlists totalling more 2500 applicants across Nigeria. There have also been a few mini-shortlists which are usually at the discretion of staff and are not merit-based. For more on Mini Shortlists, see HERE.

While we try to reach a broad number of applicants, it is to be expected that we cannot fund all eligible applicants, hence our rigorous selection process as approved by our funding partners.

We try to make up to candidates by instituting some palliative measures which include Data Rebates, Giveaways to keep a seemingly boring process a bit exciting. This has drawn a lot of positive feedback and we appreciate it.

We must however add that, while we advise you to apply, follow the whole process, and share and encourage your friends to apply, the College Relief Fund or its partners make no guarantee that a candidate will be successfully selected and as such, also encourage you to pursue other scholarships as may be available to you from your state bursaries, or other national and multinational corporations in the country.

We will also make plans to announce other ongoing scholarships in your dashboard as we deem necessary to help applicants have multiple chances.

ADDED ELIGIBILITY

From the current batch (as announced during the last batch), there will be new eligibility criteria used in accessing candidates. This will mean excluding current scholarship beneficiaries from accessing the College Relief Fund Scholarship.

A notable clause will include that such a candidate already enjoys a scholarship which is equal to or greater than their school fees. Accommodation and stipend coverage will not count.

What this Means:

This means if coverage of the existing scholarship categorically states that it is towards accommodation or stipend, such a candidate will still be eligible for the College Relief Fund. However, if not stated, or is meant to cover school fees and the scholarship fund is equal to or greater than the candidate’s tuition, such a candidate will not be eligible for the College Relief Fund.

MINI SCHOLARSHIPS

From this batch going forward, the Mini Scholarships will be making a comeback from a brief hiatus. However, candidates will have to opt-in for the Mini Scholarship with a brief statement of need. Modalities for this will be announced soon.
Note that opting in for the Mini Scholarship will mean that a candidate can have an additional opportunity of selection in either the Main disbursement or the Mini Disbursement, but not both.

This is because we have had a situation where an applicant qualified for both main batch disbursement and mini scholarship, and we feel these situations may better benefit two candidates rather than one.
For more on Mini Scholarships, see HERE.

[NEW] Naira & Sense Series:

• Introducing “Naira & Sense,” a series of articles curated to help students make the most of their finances in today’s economic climate.
• Designed to equip you with practical financial knowledge, this series covers topics like budgeting, saving, investing, and more.
• It’s compulsory reading as some questions for the Aptitude Test will be drawn from this series.
• See the full post regarding this announcement and why it is compulsory by clicking th button below.

In the coming days, you will receive further communications regarding relevant documents that are accepted if you are pre-selected for the aptitude test. We are working to make the process seamless for both new and returning applicants.

We wish you the best in your academics.