Scholarships for 100 Level Students in Nigeria (2026 Updated Guide)

Last updated: September 15, 2026

Starting university comes with a lot of expenses.

Apart from school fees, you may need money for accommodation, textbooks, transportation, registration, data and other daily needs.

The good news is that some scholarships accept students from 100 level, while a few are designed specifically for newly admitted students.

This guide covers scholarships you can apply for as a first-year student, scholarships whose 2026 applications have closed but may return, and opportunities you should keep watching.

Scholarships for 100 Level Students in Nigeria: A Quick Look

1. Indomie Scholarship Programme 2026

Status: Open
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Award: Full tuition
Academic session: 2026/2027
Application fee: Free

The Indomie Scholarship Programme is one of the strongest current opportunities for newly admitted Nigerian students.

It is open to students entering eligible public tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.

Eligible institutions include:

• universities
• polytechnics
• Colleges of Education
• specialised tertiary institutions

Successful students receive full tuition support for the duration of their programme, subject to maintaining the required academic performance.

Who can apply?

You should check this scholarship if you:

• are a Nigerian student
• recently gained admission
• are entering an eligible public tertiary institution
• have JAMB and O'Level results
• can complete your application before the deadline

You can begin the application before uploading all your results, but the required JAMB and O'Level information must be completed before the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates may proceed to a Computer-Based Test and physical verification.

Apply: Indomie Scholarship official application page

2. MTN Foundation Top 10 UTME Scholarship

Status: Automatic award
Award: ₦300,000 per year
Starts: 100 level
Application required: No

The MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship rewards the highest-performing JAMB candidates in Nigeria.

The top 10 UTME candidates announced by JAMB automatically qualify for the scholarship.

Recipients receive:

₦300,000 every year from 100 level until graduation

provided they continue to meet MTN's academic requirements.

The scholarship is not restricted to a particular course.

Successful students may study programmes such as:

• Medicine
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Law
• Mass Communication
• Education
• Social Sciences
• other recognised programmes

It also applies whether the student attends a public or private tertiary institution in Nigeria.

Do you need to apply?

No.

Selection is based on JAMB's officially announced top UTME candidates.

Official information: MTN Foundation Scholarships

3. Bridge Foundation University Scholarship

Status: Closed for 2026
Eligible levels: 100 and 200 level
Type: Scholarship + mentoring + internship opportunities

The Bridge Foundation University Scholarship supports students in selected Nigerian universities.

It is particularly useful for first-year students because 100-level applicants can be assessed using results such as:

• UTME score
• Post-UTME score

rather than relying only on university CGPA.

Other factors may include:

• academic performance
• leadership
• extracurricular activities
• university recommendation
• disciplinary record
• scholarship screening performance

The programme also provides scholars with access to mentoring, internships and career development.

Participating universities

The programme has included students from universities such as:

• University of Lagos
• University of Ibadan
• Obafemi Awolowo University
• University of Nigeria
• Ahmadu Bello University
• Bayero University Kano
• University of Abuja
• University of Port Harcourt
• University of Jos
• University of Maiduguri
• Olabisi Onabanjo University

The 2026 application has closed.

Next step: Monitor the official page for the next application cycle.

Official page: Bridge Foundation University Scholarship

4. FATE Scholar Programme

Status: Closed for the 2026/2027 cycle
Best for: Students entering first year
Focus: STEAM courses

The FATE Scholar Programme supports high-potential Nigerian students preparing to begin tertiary education.

The programme goes beyond school fees.

Benefits may include:

• financial support
• mentoring
• internship opportunities
• leadership development
• entrepreneurship exposure

Eligible applicants are usually students entering their first year in recognised public tertiary institutions and studying courses within STEAM-related fields.

STEAM includes:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Arts
• Mathematics

The 2026/2027 application cycle has closed.

Next step: Students hoping to enter university in the next admission cycle should monitor FATE Foundation for the next call.

Official page: FATE Foundation

5. Presidential Amnesty Programme Scholarship

Status: Closed for 2026/2027
Level: New undergraduate entrants
Region: Niger Delta
Application fee: Free

The Presidential Amnesty Programme Scholarship supports eligible beneficiaries from Niger Delta communities.

For the 2026/2027 undergraduate cycle, applicants were expected to be new entrants with:

• a valid UTME result
• completed O'Level results
• admission or eligibility for 100-level study
• required identification documents

Eligible states include:

• Abia
• Akwa Ibom
• Bayelsa
• Cross River
• Delta
• Edo
• Imo
• Ondo
• Rivers

The scholarship can support expenses such as:

• tuition
• accommodation
• allowances
• books

The current application cycle has closed.

Next step: Monitor the official PAP scholarship portal for the next application.

Official page: Presidential Amnesty Programme Scholarship

6. Jim Ovia Scholars Program

Status: Not currently open
Award: ₦250,000 annually
Type: Undergraduate scholarship

The Jim Ovia Scholars Program supports academically promising Nigerian students who may need financial assistance to complete their education.

Eligible students must be full-time Nigerian university students.

First-year students may become eligible after matriculation, depending on the requirements of the particular application cycle.

Successful scholars can receive:

₦250,000 annually

subject to the programme's renewal conditions.

The Foundation states that it provides new undergraduate scholarship awards each year.

When should you check?

The Foundation's scholarship information indicates that applications are typically announced when a new cycle begins.

Students interested in the programme should monitor the official website, especially towards the latter part of the year.

Official page: Jim Ovia Foundation

7. Aliko Dangote Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

Status: Announced
Application portal: Not yet released
First phase target: 30,000 students

The Aliko Dangote Foundation has announced a major undergraduate scholarship programme for students in Nigerian federal and state universities.

The first phase is expected to support 30,000 students.

Priority areas include courses connected with:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Medicine
• related fields

The announced eligibility framework includes a minimum university CGPA requirement.

Because very new 100-level students may not yet have a CGPA, fresh students should wait for the complete eligibility rules before deciding whether they qualify.

Next step: Watch for the official application portal and full guidelines.

Official announcement: NUC announcement on the Aliko Dangote Foundation Scholarship

8. NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship

Status: Not currently open for fresh 100-level applicants

NLNG has supported Nigerian undergraduates through scholarship programmes in previous years.

There is currently no active nationwide 2026 application specifically for newly admitted 100-level students.

Students interested in NLNG should monitor the organisation's official scholarship announcements for the next undergraduate application cycle.

Next step: Check the official NLNG website periodically for a new scholarship call.

Official page: NLNG

Is Julius Berger Scholarship for 100 Level Students?

Not currently.

The Julius Berger Female Scholarship targets eligible second-year female students studying Engineering, Technology and construction-related courses.

If you are currently in 100 level and studying a relevant course, keep the scholarship in mind when you enter 200 level.

See:

[Internal link: Scholarships for 200 Level Students in Nigeria]

Is the Regular MTN Scholarship for 100 Level Students?

The regular MTN Science and Technology Scholarship is not designed for 100-level students.

It mainly targets eligible students entering or currently in 300 level.

MTN also operates a separate scholarship for eligible blind students in later levels.

For first-year students, the relevant MTN opportunity is the Top 10 UTME Scholarship.

Why Are There Fewer Scholarships for 100 Level Students?

Most large corporate scholarships ask applicants to provide a university CGPA.

A new 100-level student may not have one yet.

That is why scholarships targeting first-year students often use:

• JAMB score
• Post-UTME score
• WAEC/NECO results
• admission status
• financial need
• leadership
• secondary-school performance

Once your first university results are released, you become eligible for more opportunities.

By 200 and 300 level, the number of scholarships available increases significantly.

Do You Need a CGPA to Apply for Scholarships in 100 Level?

Not always.

Some scholarships designed for newly admitted students rely on your admission and secondary-school records instead.

They may ask for:

• JAMB result
• O'Level result
• Post-UTME result
• admission letter

But once you receive your first university results, your CGPA becomes very important.

A 3.5/5.0 CGPA or higher can make you eligible for many corporate scholarships later.

Documents to Prepare as a 100 Level Student

Keep these documents ready:

1. JAMB result slip
2. JAMB admission letter
3. University admission letter
4. WAEC or NECO result
5. Post-UTME result, where applicable
6. Passport photograph
7. Birth certificate or age declaration
8. NIN slip
9. State or LGA certificate of origin
10. Student ID, once issued
11. Proof of financial need, where required
12. Recommendation letters, where required

Save clear digital copies on your phone, laptop or cloud storage.

Use descriptive filenames such as:

JAMB_Result_YourName.pdf

rather than:

IMG_283746.pdf

This makes online applications much easier.

How to Improve Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship

Apply only when you qualify

Read the requirements first.

Don't waste time applying for scholarships meant for another level, course or institution.

Prepare your documents early

Scholarship windows can be short.

Having your documents ready means you can apply immediately.

Take your first-year grades seriously

A strong CGPA will unlock many more scholarship opportunities from 200 level onward.

Apply to more than one opportunity

Don't depend on a single scholarship.

If you qualify for several programmes, apply to several.

Monitor opportunities regularly

Scholarships open at different times of the year.

Check at least once every month.

Avoid Scholarship Scams

Scholarship applications should normally be free.

Be careful if someone asks you to:

• pay a processing fee
• buy a scholarship form through WhatsApp
• pay to be shortlisted
• buy a special PIN from an individual
• pay for guaranteed selection

Always start from the official website of the organisation offering the scholarship.

When Do Scholarships for 100 Level Students Open?

There is no single scholarship season.

Different programmes opened at different times in 2026.

Some appeared early in the year, while others opened much later.

That means a first-year student should not search for scholarships only once.

A better approach is to check every month.

You can also bookmark the MonoEd undergraduate scholarship guide:

[Internal link: List of Undergraduate Scholarships in Nigeria 2026]

where open and recurring scholarships are tracked across different levels.

What If You Don't Get a Scholarship in 100 Level?

That is not unusual.

There are fewer scholarships for 100-level students than for students in later years.

Your most important goal should then be to finish first year with a strong CGPA.

Once you enter 200 level, you may become eligible for opportunities such as:

• Julius Berger Female Scholarship
• NNPC/Seplat Scholarship
• corporate scholarships
• foundation scholarships
• selected oil and gas scholarships

By 300 level, opportunities such as the regular MTN Science and Technology Scholarship become relevant.

See:

[Internal link: Scholarships for 200 Level Students in Nigeria]

Final Advice

100 level is not too early to start looking for scholarships.

As of September 2026, the Indomie Scholarship Programme is one of the strongest currently open opportunities for newly admitted students because it can cover full tuition.

The MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship also provides exceptional JAMB candidates with ₦300,000 every year from 100 level until graduation.

Other programmes such as Bridge Foundation, FATE Scholar and PAP have closed their latest cycles but are worth remembering for future applications.

Your best strategy in 100 level is simple:

• keep your documents ready
• monitor scholarship opportunities regularly
• apply only through official portals
• build a strong CGPA
• prepare for the larger number of scholarships available from 200 level onward

FAQs

Can a 100-level student get a scholarship in Nigeria?

Yes.

Several scholarships accept newly admitted or first-year students.

Examples include the Indomie Scholarship Programme, MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship and selected foundation programmes.

Which scholarship is currently open for 100-level students?

As of September 15, 2026, the Indomie Scholarship Programme is open to eligible newly admitted students for the 2026/2027 academic session.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Apply: Indomie Scholarship official portal

Which scholarship covers full tuition for 100-level students?

The Indomie Scholarship Programme provides full tuition support to successful beneficiaries, subject to continued academic performance.

Does MTN give scholarships to 100-level students?

Yes, through the MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship.

The regular MTN Science and Technology Scholarship targets students at a later level.

How much does the MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship pay?

Recipients receive ₦300,000 every year from 100 level until graduation, subject to the scholarship conditions.

Official details: MTN Foundation Scholarships

Do I need to apply for the MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship?

No.

The top 10 UTME candidates officially announced by JAMB automatically qualify.

Is Bridge Foundation Scholarship open?

No.

The latest application cycle has closed.

Students should monitor the official programme page for the next opening.

Official page: Bridge Foundation Scholarship

Is FATE Scholar Programme open?

The 2026/2027 cycle has closed.

Students planning to begin university in the next admission cycle should monitor FATE Foundation for another call.

Official page: FATE Foundation

Is PAP Scholarship open?

The 2026/2027 application cycle is currently closed.

Eligible Niger Delta students should monitor the official PAP scholarship page for the next application.

Official page: PAP Scholarship

Is Jim Ovia Scholarship open?

The current application cycle is not open.

Students should monitor the Jim Ovia Foundation for the next application announcement.

Official page: Jim Ovia Foundation

Is NLNG Scholarship open for 100-level students?

There is currently no active nationwide 2026 NLNG application specifically for fresh 100-level students.

Students should monitor NLNG for the next official undergraduate scholarship announcement.

Can private university students get 100-level scholarships?

Yes, depending on the programme.

The MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship applies to eligible recipients regardless of whether they attend a public or private institution.

Many other scholarships restrict applicants to public institutions, so always check the requirements.

Do I need a CGPA to get a scholarship in 100 level?

Not always.

Scholarships for newly admitted students may use JAMB, O'Level, Post-UTME and admission information.

Once you have university results, your CGPA becomes more important.

Are there scholarships for Polytechnic and College of Education students?

Yes.

Some scholarships accept newly admitted students in polytechnics and Colleges of Education as well as universities.

Always check the institution type allowed by each programme.

Do scholarship applications require payment?

Legitimate scholarship applications should not require payment to guarantee selection.

Avoid anyone asking for money to place your name on a shortlist.

Looking for More Scholarships?

See our List of Undergraduate Scholarships in Nigeria 2026 for scholarships available across different undergraduate levels.

Moving into 200 level? Read Scholarships for 200 Level Students in Nigeria.

If an application asks for a professional CV, you can also use the MonoEd CV/Resume Maker to create a clean student CV.