How to Apply For TISSF Loan: Nigeria’s tertiary education staff face significant financial strain and limited professional growth opportunities, impacting their performance and the quality of education. The Tertiary Institution’s Staff Support Trust Fund (TISSF) is the Federal Government’s direct answer, designed to empower academic and non-academic personnel, fostering stability and excellence across our institutions.
What is the TISSF?
The TISSF is an interest-free loan scheme, a joint initiative by the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund. It provides up to N10 million to eligible academic and non-academic staff. Loans are capped at 33.3% of gross annual salary, with a 0% interest rate, directly addressing financial well-being and career advancement. The fund is backed by the Federal Government.
The “Why”: Key Benefits of the TISSF
The TISSF aims to transform the lives of staff and strengthen institutions through:
- Enhanced Financial Resilience: Provides crucial support for medical emergencies, family needs, transportation, and accommodation, directly alleviating the primary stressor for employees financial uncertainty.
- Catalyzing Professional Development: Offers funding for academic programs, certifications, and skill development, addressing the lack of capacity-building opportunities.
- Fostering Entrepreneurship: Supports micro-enterprise ventures, such as poultry farming, and broader Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) development, promoting financial independence beyond salary.
- Boosting Institutional Morale and Retention: Institutions with supportive financial schemes report a 24% improvement in staff retention and a 42% increase in morale scores, leading to enhanced student outcomes and overall institutional excellence.
How to Apply For TISSF Loan: Your Guide to Application
The TISSF is a current initiative. The official program launch is set for August 14, 2025, with disbursements commencing in Q4 2025. However, applications are already open for submission.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must be :
- A confirmed full-time academic or non-academic staff member of an eligible tertiary institution.
- A member of all relevant staff associations.
- Have at least five years remaining until retirement.
Eligible Institutions
The fund covers :
- All federal universities, federal polytechnics, and federal colleges of education.
- One state university, polytechnic, and college of education per state.
Application Process
- Access the Official Portal: Visit the authentic application link: https://tissf.education.gov.ng/.
- Complete the Online Form: Fill out the application accurately, providing personal, employment, and institutional details.
- Submit Supporting Documents: Upload all required documents as specified on the portal.
- Repayment: Loans are repaid through convenient monthly deductions directly from your salary via your institution’s bursary department.
- Support: For questions, contact the TISSF support team via email at sp@education.gov.ng.
The program is implemented in strategic partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), which manages the disbursement process to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective delivery of funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on How to Apply For TISSF Loan
Here are answers to common questions about the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which is a key partner in the TISSF initiative:
What is the function of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)? TETFund is a scheme established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2011 to disburse, manage, and monitor education tax to government-owned tertiary institutions. Its primary function is to provide supplementary support for the rehabilitation, restoration, and consolidation of tertiary education in Nigeria, including improving funding, infrastructure, and building the capacity of teachers and lecturers.
How does TETFund get money? TETFund’s main source of income is an education tax paid from the assessable profit of companies registered in Nigeria. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is responsible for assessing and collecting this tax on behalf of the Fund.
Is TETFund an NGO? No, TETFund is not an NGO. It is an intervention agency established by the Federal Government of Nigeria through an Act of Parliament (Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment, Etc.) Act 2011) to manage and disburse education tax to public tertiary institutions.
What is the rate of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund tax? The education tax rate is currently 3% of the assessable profit of companies registered in Nigeria. This rate was increased from an initial 2% to 2.5% by the Finance Act 2021, and further to 3% by the Finance Act 2023, effective September 2023.
Who is the owner of TETFund? TETFund is owned and established by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
How much does TETFund pay for masters? For local sponsorship, TETFund provides N1,500,000.00 per annum for Masters degrees in science-based disciplines and N1,200,000.00 per annum for other disciplines.
Who is the boss of TETFund? The Executive Secretary of TETFund is Arc. Sonny Echono, who assumed office on March 18, 2022.
What are the challenges of TETFund? TETFund faces several challenges, including bureaucratic bottlenecks in accessing approved funds, an overloaded mandate that sometimes extends to lower levels of education, and persistent issues like infrastructure degradation and lack of staff training in some institutions despite interventions. Other challenges include security concerns affecting project implementation, complicated fund access processes leading to delays, a focus on provision over maintenance of facilities, and allegations of bias or inflated figures from institutions.
What is an education trust fund? An education trust fund is a legal arrangement that sets aside money or property specifically for educational purposes. It is established by a grantor and managed by a trustee, who distributes the funds according to set terms to support a beneficiary’s education, or to establish or finance schools. These funds can cover various educational expenses like tuition, books, and living costs, and can offer tax advantages and asset protection.
The TISSF is a vital investment in Nigeria’s academic human capital. By providing interest-free loans for essential needs and professional growth, it promises a more secure, motivated, and productive future for tertiary education staff and, by extension, the entire sector. This initiative is crucial for achieving national development goals and fostering a future where tertiary institutions truly thrive as centers of excellence.
We encourage all university staff, administrators, and education stakeholders to engage with the TISSF. Share your thoughts on how this fund can further empower our institutions and contribute to a brighter academic future for Nigeria!