Congratulations! You just gained admission into a Nigerian university. JAMB cleared you. Post-UTME didn’t finish you. The admission letter came through and you are officially a 100 level student.
Now the next battle begins. Because the honest truth is that Nigerian university life is expensive, and the money situation does not get easier the longer you are in school.
But here is something most freshmen do not know: some of the best scholarship opportunities in Nigeria are available specifically at 100 level. In fact, applying early (before other students even know scholarships exist) gives you a significant competitive advantage.
This guide is written specifically for 100 level students who want to start applying for scholarships from day one. We will cover which scholarships are open to freshmen, how to apply, what documents you need, and how to build a scholarship-winning profile starting immediately.
The earlier you start, the better your chances. Let us go.
READ ALSO: Scholarship Interview Questions and How to Answer Them (With Examples)
Can 100 Level Students Apply for Scholarships in Nigeria?
Yes, and this surprises a lot of Nigerian students who assume scholarships are only for 200 level and above.
Here is the reality: some scholarships specifically target 100 level students. Others are open to all undergraduates including freshmen. And some require a CGPA from at least one semester, meaning the earliest you can apply is towards the end of first semester or beginning of second semester when you have a result.
The key is knowing which category each scholarship falls into and timing your applications correctly.
Why You Should Start in 100 Level and Not Later
Most Nigerian students discover scholarships in 300 or 400 level, when they are already running low on time, their CGPA is set, and some opportunities have closed. Starting in 100 level gives you several advantages:
You can build your profile deliberately If you know what scholarship committees are looking for (CGPA, leadership, community service) you can build those things from day one rather than scrambling to demonstrate them three years in.
Some scholarships reward early-year applicants A handful of Nigerian scholarships give priority or bonuses to first and second year students, specifically to support them before financial pressure derails their studies.
You have more time to develop your scholarship application skills Writing scholarship essays, gathering documents, preparing for interviews, these are skills that improve with practice. Starting early means more practice and better outcomes by the time you reach the most competitive cycles.
You can layer multiple scholarships A student who starts applying in 100 level and secures one scholarship can use that as a foundation, renewing it while layering additional scholarships in subsequent years. A student who starts in 400 level has almost no time to build this portfolio.
READ ALSO: Jim Ovia Scholarship (MustE) for Nigerian Undergraduates
Scholarships Open to 100 Level Students
1. Federal Government Scholarship Board (FSB) Awards
The Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship Board administers several scholarship programs for undergraduate students at Nigerian universities. These include:
Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) Scholarship Award Open to Nigerian students in their first year of study at federal universities in approved fields. The scholarship awards ₦150,000–₦300,000 per year (amounts updated periodically). It is renewable throughout your undergraduate program with satisfactory academic performance.
How to apply: Through the FSB portal (scholarships.gov.ng). The portal opens annually, watch for announcements from your university’s scholarship desk or on the FSB website. You need your admission letter, JAMB result, O’Level results, and institutional confirmation of enrollment.
2. MTN Foundation Scholarship
The MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship is open to students from 100 level onwards, you do not need a CGPA from your Nigerian university results to apply in your first semester, as the scholarship can consider your O’Level (WAEC/NECO) results for initial eligibility.
However, being in a Science or Technology course is typically required. Check the current MTN Foundation scholarship requirements for the specific CGPA threshold.
READ ALSO: MTN Foundation Scholarship Nigeria: How to Apply (Requirements & Deadline)
3. Shell Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship (SNEAS)
The Shell Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship is open to students in their first and second year studying in specific fields (Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences). First year students can apply during their first semester at university.
READ ALSO: Shell Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship (SNEAS): Complete Guide
4. NNPC/TotalEnergies Scholarship
Similar to Shell, the NNPC/TotalEnergies scholarship targets students in technical and science fields from their first year. Applications open annually and 100 level students in qualifying departments are explicitly eligible.
READ ALSO: NNPC/Total Scholarship: How to Apply and What to Expect
5. Dangote Foundation Scholarship
The Dangote Foundation Scholarship is open to undergraduate students from 100 level onwards at qualifying Nigerian universities. First year students can apply during their first or second semester.
READ ALSO: Dangote Foundation Scholarship: Requirements and How to Apply (Full Guide)
6. Zenith Bank Scholarship
The Zenith Bank Scholarship Award targets students from 100 level onwards at Nigerian universities. The scholarship is renewable and open to students across various disciplines.
7. State Government Scholarships
Many Nigerian state governments offer scholarships specifically for indigenes studying at Nigerian universities, regardless of year of study. If you are from a state with an active scholarship program, you can apply from 100 level.
Check:
- Lagos State Scholarship Board (lagosstatesb.edu.ng)
- Edo State Scholarship Board
- Delta State Scholarship Board
- Rivers State Scholarship Board
- Your own state government’s education ministry or scholarship board website
Contact your university’s bursary or student affairs office, they often have information about state government scholarships available to your state’s indigenes.
8. Church and Religious Organisation Scholarships
Many Nigerian churches and religious organisations offer scholarships to their members pursuing university education. The Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches all have scholarship programs at various levels, and many of these are open to first year students without a CGPA requirement.
Check with the scholarship or education desk of your church or religious organisation.
9. Corporate CSR Scholarships (Open All Years)
Several Nigerian companies run scholarship programs as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. These include banks (Access Bank Aced Scholarship, First Bank Scholarship), telecoms, oil companies, and manufacturers. Many are open to all years of study including first year. Monitor the websites and social media pages of major Nigerian companies, and check scholarship aggregators like:
- Scholarships.gov.ng
- Campushustle.ng (that is us, we post verified updates)
10. NGO and Foundation Scholarships
International NGOs and foundations operating in Nigeria occasionally offer scholarships to Nigerian university students. Examples include:
- Tony Elumelu Foundation programs (more business-focused but accessible)
- MacArthur Foundation supported programs
- Ford Foundation (primarily postgraduate, but awareness helps)
- Various smaller NGOs with education mandates
Scholarships You Cannot Apply for in 100 Level (But Should Know)
Some major scholarships require a Nigerian university CGPA, meaning you need at least one full semester result before applying. Others require specific years of study.
Cannot apply in 100 Level (usually):
- Access Bank Aced Scholarship (typically requires CGPA from second semester onwards)
- Some state government scholarships with minimum CGPA requirements
- Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), primarily for postgraduate study
When you CAN apply (start planning now):
- End of 100 level / beginning of 200 level: Most CGPA-based scholarships
- By 200 level, you should have applied to at least 3–5 scholarships
Documents to Gather From Day One
One of the biggest delays in scholarship applications is not having your documents ready. Start gathering these in your first week at university:
Documents you need (gather immediately):
- Your Admission Letter (original and photocopy)
- Your JAMB Result Slip
- Your WAEC/NECO Statement of Result (original and certified copy)
- Your Birth Certificate or Sworn Declaration of Age
- Your State of Origin Certificate (obtain from your LGA or state secretariat if you do not have it)
- Passport Photographs: minimum 10 copies, white background, recent
- Bank Account Details (open a student bank account immediately, most Nigerian scholarships pay through bank transfer)
- Your Matriculation Number (once issued by your university)
- Your Student ID Card (once issued)
Documents to get progressively:
- First semester academic result / transcript (from your examination officer)
- Letter of enrollment from your university (student affairs office)
- Reference letter from your Head of Department or Dean
Pro Tip: Create a dedicated folder on your phone/laptop AND a physical folder for all your scholarship documents. Keep everything organised. You will apply for many scholarships over 4 years and having documents readily accessible saves enormous stress.
How to Build a Scholarship-Winning Profile in 100 Level
Scholarships do not just reward people who apply, they reward people who have been living in a way that makes their application compelling. Here is how to build that profile starting from your first week:
1. Protect Your CGPA From Day One Most scholarships require a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale (approximately Second Class Upper). In 100 level, you are laying the foundation. Miss classes, skip assignments, and coast in first year, and you will spend the rest of your program trying to recover a CGPA that was damaged before you fully understood the stakes.
Attend every class. Submit every assignment. Read ahead. Form a study group. Your 100 level CGPA sets the trajectory.
2. Join At Least One Meaningful Club or Organisation Scholarship committees look for students who do more than study. Join a departmental society, a student association, a community service group, a debate club, a STEM club, or any organisation where you are actively participating, not just a passive member.
One meaningful involvement is worth more than five clubs where you show up once.
3. Do Community Service Community service demonstrates the kind of character scholarship committees consistently reward, a student who cares about others, not just their own advancement. Tutor secondary school students. Volunteer at a local NGO. Participate in your church’s community outreach. Clean up your neighbourhood. The service itself matters less than the genuine commitment behind it.
4. Read. Write. Think. Scholarship essays require articulate, thoughtful writing. The more you read (newspapers, books, blogs, articles) and write (even just journaling), the better your essays will be. Start now.
5. Know Your Why Why are you studying your course? What do you want to do with it? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Having clear, honest answers to these questions (not rehearsed responses, but genuine thinking) will make every scholarship essay you write more compelling.
The Scholarship Application Calendar
Use this general timeline for your 100 level scholarship plan:
August/September (Before or Just After Resumption):
- Gather all pre-university documents (WAEC, JAMB, admission letter, birth certificate, state of origin)
- Open a bank account
- Research which scholarships are open to freshmen
October/November (First Semester Ongoing):
- Apply for scholarships that do not require a university CGPA (Federal Scholarship Board, Shell, NNPC; if open)
- Check MTN Foundation, Dangote Foundation for current application windows
- Check your state scholarship board
January/February (End of First Semester):
- Collect your first semester result as soon as available
- Begin applying for scholarships that require a CGPA (with your first semester result)
- Federal Government Scholarship Board often opens in this period
March/April (Second Semester Ongoing):
- Continue applications, many scholarships have first/second quarter deadlines
- Follow campushustle.ng for updates on newly opened scholarship windows
May/June (End of 100 Level):
- Review which scholarships you applied for and which are outstanding
- Prepare for scholarship interviews if shortlisted
- Set scholarship targets for your 200 level year
Common Mistakes 100 Level Students Make
Waiting for a “perfect” time to apply There is no perfect time. Apply with what you have. Some scholarships accept first semester results. Some accept O’Level results for first year eligibility. Do not wait until 300 level to start.
Not knowing about scholarships at all This is why you are reading this guide. Share it with your coursemates, the more Nigerian students who know, the better.
Applying carelessly A scholarship application submitted with typos, missing documents, or a generic essay signals to the committee that you did not take it seriously. Treat every application with the same care you would treat an exam.
Chasing money, not fit Apply for scholarships that genuinely fit your profile, your course, your state of origin, your financial situation. Applying for petroleum company scholarships when you study Arts and Humanities wastes your time. Apply strategically.
Not following up After applying, track your applications. If a scholarship says results will be announced in 6 weeks, mark that date. Follow up if you hear nothing. Check your spam folder for offer emails.
Losing documents Starting in 100 level, you will need the same documents repeatedly for four years of scholarship applications. Losing your birth certificate or original WAEC certificate mid-program creates avoidable delays. Keep originals safely filed and keep certified copies for applications.
READ ALSO: Get Your Scholarship Past Questions & Answers PDF
FAQs
Do I need a CGPA to apply for scholarships in 100 level? Not all scholarships require a CGPA. Some accept your O’Level results (WAEC/NECO) as evidence of academic excellence for first-year applicants. Others require at least first semester results. Check each scholarship’s specific requirements.
Can I hold more than one scholarship at the same time? It depends on the scholarship’s terms. Some scholarships prohibit simultaneous awards; others explicitly permit it. Read the terms of each scholarship you hold. Where permitted, holding multiple scholarships is both legal and common.
What CGPA do I need for most Nigerian scholarships? Most Nigerian corporate and government scholarships require a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale (approximately Second Class Upper). Some require 4.0+. Maintain as high a CGPA as possible from your first semester.
Are scholarship payments reliable in Nigeria? This varies significantly by scholarship. Federal Government scholarship payments have been historically inconsistent. Some corporate scholarships (MTN, Shell, NNPC) are more reliable. State government scholarships vary by state. When you receive a scholarship award, do not plan your entire budget around it being paid on time.
Is there a scholarship for every course in Nigeria? While there are more scholarships for Science, Engineering, and Technology students (due to corporate STEM focus), scholarships exist for all courses — including Social Sciences, Arts, and Education. Federal government scholarships, state scholarships, and religious organisation scholarships tend to be more course-agnostic.
In Summary
100 level is not too early to start applying for scholarships, it is exactly the right time.
The Nigerian students who graduate with a combination of scholarship awards, a strong CGPA, and financial stability are not the ones who were smarter than you. They are the ones who started earlier, stayed organised, and applied consistently throughout their university years.
Your action plan for this week:
- Gather every document listed in this guide
- Open a bank account if you have not already
- Bookmark scholarships.gov.ng and campushustle.ng for regular scholarship updates
- Check if any scholarships on this list are currently open, and apply
You have four years. Start now.
Are you a 100 level student? Drop your course, university, and state of origin in the comments, we can tell you exactly which scholarships are most relevant for your specific situation.
Disclaimer: Scholarship availability, amounts, and application requirements change annually. Always verify current information on each scholarship body’s official website. Campus Hustle Nigeria does not charge for scholarship guidance and is not affiliated with any scholarship body.
