LONG Scholars Program 2026 for Undergraduates — Fully Funded

The LONG Scholars Program 2026 is open now, and the application deadline is 18 June 2026. If you are a Nigerian undergraduate student from a low-income household — either newly admitted or currently enrolled at an accredited Nigerian university — this scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses for one academic year, with the possibility of renewal each year based on your academic performance and continued financial need. The programme is built specifically for students who have the ability to succeed academically but face financial pressure that threatens to derail that progress. If that describes your situation, apply before the deadline closes.

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LONG Scholars Program Summary

About the LONG Scholars Program

The LONG Scholars Program is a Nigerian undergraduate scholarship initiative created to address a specific and well-documented problem: academically capable students from low-income families who gain admission into university but cannot sustain their studies because of the financial cost. Tuition, accommodation, and daily living expenses together create a burden that, without support, forces many students to drop out, take on work that undermines their studies, or abandon their ambitions entirely.

The programme targets students between the ages of 16 and 26 who are enrolled — or have secured admission — at accredited Nigerian universities. It is open to both newly admitted students beginning their first year and continuing students already in the system. Financial need is a central criterion, but the scholarship does not fund need alone. Academic excellence, leadership potential, and active involvement in your community are all part of what the selection panel is looking for.

The award is renewable. Scholars who maintain the required academic performance and can demonstrate continued financial need are eligible to receive support in subsequent years — making this a multi-year investment in the right candidate, not a one-time grant.

Beyond the financial support, the programme aims to develop the next generation of Nigerian leaders. Beneficiaries are expected to engage seriously with their studies, their campus communities, and the wider environments they come from.

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What the LONG Scholars Program Covers

Successful applicants receive the following for one academic year:

• Tuition fee support — covering the cost of your programme fees at your Nigerian university
• Accommodation support — financial assistance toward the cost of student housing
• Living expense support — funds to cover day-to-day costs so you can focus on your studies without taking on outside income that would compromise your academic performance
• Renewable award — scholars who maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale and demonstrate continued financial need can apply for renewal in subsequent academic years

The scholarship does not publish exact Naira figures for each component on the official source. Contact the LONG Scholars Program directly after submitting your application if you need specific figures for planning purposes.

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Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the LONG Scholars Program 2026, you must meet all of the following:

• You must be between 16 and 26 years old at the time of application
• You must have secured admission into an accredited Nigerian university — the programme is for students at Nigerian institutions, not abroad
• Your family’s annual income must be below ₦3,000,000 — this is the financial need threshold; you must be able to support this with documentation
• You must demonstrate leadership potential and community involvement — academic grades alone are not the only measure; your record of engagement in your school, community, or organisation matters

For continuing students, you must also:

• Hold a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale or its equivalent

For newly admitted students, you must also provide:

• A signed admission letter and acceptance letter from your institution
• A WAEC result with a minimum of 5 credits in relevant subjects
• A JAMB score of at least 200

If you are a continuing student whose CGPA has fallen below 3.5 in a previous year, you are not eligible to apply in this cycle. Focus on improving your academic standing and apply in a future round when your record qualifies.

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Required Documents

Prepare all of the following before you open the application form:

• Proof of admission — signed admission letter and acceptance letter (new students) or enrolment confirmation (continuing students)
• WAEC result — showing a minimum of 5 credits (new students)
• JAMB result — showing a minimum score of 200 (new students)
• Academic transcript or CGPA evidence from your institution (continuing students)
• Parent’s bank statement or other documentation that demonstrates financial need — the annual household income must be verifiable as below ₦3,000,000
• Recommendation letter from one of the following: your school bursar, a scholarship organisation, or a member of the LONG Scholars Program Board of Trustees

On the recommendation letter: do not request this in the final days before June 18. Your recommender — whether a bursar, scholarship officer, or Board member — needs time to write a letter that speaks meaningfully to your character, academic standing, and financial circumstances. A rushed recommendation submitted at the last minute will not serve your application well. Reach out immediately and give clear context about the programme and what the letter needs to address.

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How to Apply — Step by Step

1. Apply through the official LONG Scholars Program application portal.
2. Confirm your eligibility.
   • Check the age requirement, income threshold, and academic requirements before starting your application. If you are a continuing student, confirm your CGPA is at or above 3.5 on a 5.0 scale. If you are a new student, confirm your WAEC and JAMB scores meet the minimums.
3. Gather your documents before opening the form.
   • Have your admission letter, WAEC and JAMB results, transcript or CGPA evidence, bank statement, and recommendation letter either ready or in progress. Starting the form without documents prepared leads to incomplete submissions, which are not considered.
4. Request your recommendation letter now.
   • Contact your school bursar, a scholarship organisation, or a qualifying Board member immediately — before the deadline pressure builds. Give them enough lead time to write a substantive letter.
5. Complete the application form in full.
   • Answer every question on the form..Applications that are incomplete will not receive consideration. When describing your financial circumstances and community involvement, provide accurate and detailed information, as reviewers assess these factors alongside your academic record.
     
6. Submit before 18 June 2026.
   • Do not wait until the final day. Online forms can be slow or unavailable during peak submission periods close to a deadline. Submit at least two to three days early.

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Application Deadline and Timeline

If the selection committee invites you for an interview, it will contact you between 24 July and 2 August 2026. Keep your phone and email accessible during this period and respond promptly, as delayed replies may cause the committee to reassign your interview slot. The organisers will announce successful scholars between 18 and 21 August 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the LONG Scholars Program for?

The programme is for Nigerian undergraduate students between 16 and 26 years old who are enrolled — or have been admitted — at an accredited Nigerian university, come from a household with an annual income below ₦3,000,000, and can demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and community involvement. Both new and continuing students are eligible to apply.

Is the LONG Scholars Program scholarship renewable?

Yes. The scholarship is renewable annually. Continuing scholars must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale and demonstrate continued financial need to qualify for renewal each year. The award is not automatically renewed — you must meet the performance and need requirements in each subsequent year.

What is the minimum JAMB score required for the LONG Scholars Program?

New students must have a JAMB score of at least 200. For continuing students, JAMB scores are not part of the renewal criteria — the relevant requirement is a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale.

What kind of recommendation letter does the LONG Scholars Program require?

Your recommendation must come from your school bursar, a scholarship organisation, or a member of the LONG Scholars Program Board of Trustees. A letter from a teacher, lecturer, or family member does not meet this requirement. Identify your recommender early and request the letter with enough lead time for it to be written properly before June 18.

Can students at private Nigerian universities apply for the LONG Scholars Program?

The programme specifies accredited Nigerian universities. The official source does not explicitly restrict eligibility to public universities only — confirm with the LONG Scholars Program directly whether your institution qualifies if you are at a private accredited university.

When will LONG Scholars Program interview invitations be sent?

Interview invitations will be sent between 24 July and 2 August 2026. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted during that window. Monitor your email and phone closely from late July. Scholars will be announced between 18 and 21 August 2026.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official LONG Scholars Program website as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.

Official Application Portal