"The Federal Government has announced scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic session. Candidates can apply online through the Federal Government's website."
Federal Government Opens 2026/2027 Scholarship Portal: Comprehensive Guide to National Award and Other Schemes
Published: July 21, 2026 | Source: CampusAI News
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📌 Introduction
The Federal Ministry of Education, through the Department of Scholarship Awards (DSA) — formerly the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) — has officially opened the application portal for the 2026/2027 Academic Session Federal Government Scholarship Schemes. This annual rollout comprises several pathways, including the Federal Government National Award for high-performing students in public tertiary institutions, the Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA) , and the Education Bursary Award (EBA) for education students.
However, prospective applicants should note a major policy change: the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship for new applicants has been discontinued following a Federal Government policy review aimed at strengthening investment in local tertiary institutions. Existing BEA beneficiaries will continue to receive full support until they complete their studies.
This guide provides verified information on all active Federal Government scholarship schemes, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and important updates for the 2026/2027 cycle.
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🔴 Top Story: BEA Scholarship Discontinued for New Applicants
The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme has been discontinued for new applicants following a policy review.
Key Points:
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Status | ❌ CLOSED to new applicants |
| Existing Beneficiaries | ✅ Continue to receive full support until completion |
| Reason | Policy review to strengthen investment in local tertiary institutions |
| 2026 Budget Appearance | Purely procedural rollover from 2025 budget — not a reinstatement |
> ⚠️ Important: The inclusion of BEA allocations in the 2026 national budget does not signify a reversal of the discontinuation decision. The provisions were carried forward as part of standard fiscal rollover processes. The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa CON, has confirmed that new BEA scholarship awards will not be processed.
What This Means for Candidates:
- ❌ Do not apply for BEA scholarships — applications are no longer being accepted
- ✅ Explore local scholarship opportunities and the Nigerian Student Loan Programme, which are being strengthened to support more students nationwide
- ✅ Consider the Federal Government National Award, Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA) , and Education Bursary Award (EBA) for domestic study
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✅ Active Federal Government Scholarship Schemes for 2026/2027
| Scholarship Scheme | Who It's For | Award Value |
|--------------------|--------------|-------------|
| Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA) | Undergraduate & postgraduate students in public Nigerian institutions | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 annually |
| Education Bursary Award (EBA) | Students pursuing education courses in public institutions | ₦150,000 for eligible undergraduates |
| Federal Government National Award | Full-time students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education | Varies by level |
| Presidential Scholarship for Innovation and Development (PSID) | First-class graduates for Masters/PhD abroad | Full funding at partner universities |
> Note: The Federal Scholarship Board has been renamed the Department of Scholarship Awards (DSA) , but its mandates and responsibilities regarding scholarship administration remain fully operational.
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🚨 New Initiative: National Laureate Programme — ₦365 Million Research Prize
The Federal Government has launched the National Laureate Programme, a new annual research awards scheme worth approximately ₦365 million.
Award Categories:
| Category | Prize Amount |
|----------|--------------|
| Best Undergraduate Dissertation | ₦35 million |
| Best Master's Thesis | ₦50 million |
| Best PhD Thesis | ₦100 million |
| Excellence Awards (6 categories) | ₦30 million each |
Maiden Edition: The first National Laureate Awards are scheduled for November 2026. A 12-member committee has been inaugurated to oversee the programme.
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📋 Federal Government National Award — Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Application Status | 🟢 Open |
| Application Portal | fsbn.com.ng or scholarship.education.gov.ng |
| Application Fee | ₦0.00 (Free of Charge) |
| Eligibility | Full-time students in public Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education |
| University Undergraduate CGPA | Minimum 4.0 out of 5.0 |
| Polytechnic/COE CGPA | Minimum 3.5 out of 4.0 |
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🎯 Eligibility Requirements
Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA) — Undergraduate
- Must be a registered full-time student in their second year or above
- Studying at a public Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education
- Minimum CGPA of 4.0 out of 5.0 (or equivalent)
- Must not hold any other scholarship simultaneously
Education Bursary Award (EBA)
- Must be pursuing an education course at a public tertiary institution
- Minimum CGPA of 4.0 out of 5.0
Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA) — Postgraduate
- Must have completed NYSC (where applicable)
- Minimum CGPA of 4.0 out of 5.0
- Studying at a public Nigerian institution
Federal Government National Award
- Open to full-time students in public Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education
- University undergraduate applicants: Minimum CGPA of 4.0 out of 5.0
- Polytechnic and College of Education applicants: Minimum CGPA of 3.5 out of 4.0
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📝 What to Do Next
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Open a secure browser and visit the official Federal Scholarship Board portal at fsbn.com.ng or scholarship.education.gov.ng.
Step 2: Create an Account
- Register with an active, functional email address and a valid phone number
- Verify your account through the confirmation link sent to your email
Step 3: Prepare Required Documents
Scan and save clear, high-resolution copies of the following documents:
- ✅ WAEC/NECO Statement of Results or Certificates
- ✅ Academic transcripts
- ✅ Certificate of State of Origin
- ✅ National Identification Number (NIN) slip
- ✅ Letter of admission from your current institution
- ✅ NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate (for postgraduate applicants)
Step 4: Complete the Application Form
- Carefully enter your academic details, ensuring your CGPA matches your transcripts
- Upload the prepared documents to their respective slots (max 500KB per file)
- Review your application thoroughly for errors
Step 5: Submit and Print Confirmation Slip
- Submit the application
- Print your Confirmation Slip containing your unique Application Number
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🔍 Important Updates & Policy Changes
1. Federal Scholarship Board Renamed to Department of Scholarship Awards (DSA)
The Federal Scholarship Board has been renamed the Department of Scholarship Awards (DSA) , now operating as one of the departments under the Federal Ministry of Education. Its mandates and responsibilities regarding scholarship administration remain unchanged.
2. BEA Scholarship Discontinued
The Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme has been discontinued for new applicants. Existing beneficiaries will continue to receive full government support.
3. Local Scholarships Strengthened
The Federal Government is strengthening local scholarship opportunities and the Nigerian Student Loan Programme to support more students nationwide.
4. Mandatory NIN Integration
Applications without a verified NIN will be rejected. The system is integrated with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database to prevent double registrations and identity theft.
5. Direct Result Verification
The portal features direct API verification with WAEC and NECO to eliminate forged statements. Results submitted are cross-checked instantaneously.
6. BVN-Linked Disbursement
For the Federal Government National Award, disbursements are routed directly to verified bank accounts tied to beneficiaries' Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), eliminating administrative delays.
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📊 Who Is Affected
This announcement directly impacts:
- Undergraduate students in public Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education seeking financial support
- Postgraduate students pursuing Master's and PhD programmes in Nigerian institutions
- Education students eligible for the Education Bursary Award
- Students with disabilities — 5% of scholarships are reserved for students with disabilities
- STEM and Social Sciences students — prioritised under the renewed scholarship framework
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🏷️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the BEA Scholarship still available for new applicants?
A: No. The Federal Government has discontinued the BEA Scholarship Programme for new applicants following a policy review. Existing beneficiaries will continue to receive full support.
Q: How much does the FSB scholarship pay?
A: The Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA) pays ₦150,000–₦300,000 annually, depending on the level of study. The Education Bursary Award (EBA) is worth ₦150,000 for eligible undergraduates.
Q: Can I apply for both the Nigerian Scholarship Award and the Education Bursary Award?
A: No. You cannot hold the FSB scholarship simultaneously with another award.
Q: What is the application deadline?
A: The exact deadline has not been confirmed in official sources. Candidates are advised to monitor the official FSB portal at fsbn.com.ng and the Ministry of Education's official communication channels for updates.
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: No. The application, screening, and selection processes attract no fees. Any portal or individual demanding payment is fraudulent.
Q: What is the National Laureate Programme?
A: It is a new ₦365 million annual research prize scheme for Nigerian students. Awards range from ₦35 million for undergraduate dissertations to ₦100 million for PhD theses, with the maiden edition scheduled for November 2026.
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🛠️ Useful Tools
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| ✅ AI Admission Assistant | Ask questions and get instant answers about your admission journey | Chat Now → |
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> 📌 Editor's Note: This article is based on official announcements from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Department of Scholarship Awards, and verified news sources as of July 2026. Always verify critical information on the official FSB portal at fsbn.com.ng or scholarship.education.gov.ng.
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