The College of Nursing Sciences, Calabar (commonly referred to as CONSCAL) is a state-owned nursing training institution located on Moore Road, Calabar, Cross River State. It operates under the Cross River State Ministry of Health and holds full accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). As the leading nursing training institution in the southern senatorial district of the state, the college trains students for the Nursing programme and the Midwifery programme, and it also runs Post-Basic Nursing specialties such as Perioperative Nursing, Cardiothoracic Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, and Anaesthetic Nursing. Its close proximity to major hospitals within Calabar gives students consistent access to clinical postings and ward rotations, which forms a core part of nursing education at this level.
Because CONSCAL is a state institution rather than a federal university, its fee structure follows the pattern common to state colleges of nursing across Nigeria: tuition stays comparatively affordable relative to private nursing schools, but new students still pay a combination of one-off charges on top of tuition, while returning students pay a reduced package that excludes most of the one-off items tied to first-time registration.
How the Fee Structure Works for Freshers
Every fresher admitted into CONSCAL pays more than a returning student in the same session because of charges that only apply once, at the point of entry. These typically include an acceptance fee, a matriculation or registration fee, an identity card fee, a library registration fee, a medical screening fee, and departmental handling charges tied to the specific programme (Nursing or Midwifery). On top of these one-off charges, freshers also pay the standard tuition fee for the level they are entering, along with any development levy the college applies each session.
A newly admitted student is expected to complete payment of these fees before the college finalizes registration and allows the student to begin lectures and clinical orientation. The college communicates the exact fee breakdown to newly admitted candidates through its official portal and admission notices released after the screening exercise, since state colleges of nursing typically review fee figures from one academic session to the next based on government subvention and running costs.
How the Fee Structure Works for Returning Students
Returning students at CONSCAL pay a lighter fee package compared to freshers because they no longer owe the one-off charges tied to fresh admission, such as the acceptance fee, matriculation fee, and ID card fee. Their payment typically consists of tuition for the new session, a returning student registration fee, library fee, laboratory or skills-lab fee (relevant to nursing practicals), and any applicable development levy. Because clinical postings and practical sessions increase as students progress through the programme, some levels may carry a slightly higher practical or clinical fee component than others, even though the base tuition figure across levels tends to stay close.
General Cost Range for Nursing Training in Cross River State
State-owned colleges of nursing in Cross River State, including CONSCAL, generally fall within an affordable bracket compared to private nursing institutions and university-based nursing degree programmes. Annual charges across these state colleges commonly range from roughly ₦80,000 to ₦280,000 per session, depending on the specific college, the programme (Nursing, Midwifery, or a Post-Basic specialty), and whether the student is a fresher or a returning student. CONSCAL, as the premier state college in the capital, sits within this general bracket, with freshers paying toward the higher end of the range in their first year because of the additional one-off charges, and returning students paying a reduced amount in subsequent years.
The table below summarizes the general fee categories students should expect to encounter, without presenting exact naira figures that the college has not published for the specific 2026/2027 session, since state colleges of nursing typically confirm updated figures directly on their portals shortly before each admission and registration cycle.
| Fee Category | Applies To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | Freshers only | Paid once, confirms admission offer |
| Matriculation/Registration Fee | Freshers only | Formalizes enrollment into the college |
| Tuition Fee | Freshers and returning students | Charged every session, may rise slightly with level |
| Library Fee | Freshers and returning students | Covers access to college library resources |
| Laboratory/Skills Lab Fee | Freshers and returning students | Covers nursing practicals and simulation training |
| Clinical/Practical Fee | Freshers and returning students | Tied to hospital rotations and supervised postings |
| Identity Card Fee | Freshers only | One-off charge for the student ID |
| Medical Screening Fee | Freshers only | Confirms fitness to undergo nursing training |
| Development Levy | Freshers and returning students | Supports college infrastructure and facilities |
| Post-Basic Programme Fee | Post-Basic candidates only | Applies to specialties like Perioperative or Anaesthetic Nursing |
Candidates should treat this table as a guide to the components that make up the total fee rather than a fixed price list, since the actual amount for each category depends on the figure the college management approves for the 2026/2027 session.
Why Fees Differ Between Programmes
CONSCAL runs more than one type of nursing training, and the fee amount is not identical across all of them. The general Nursing programme and the Midwifery programme, both admitted at entry level, generally carry similar base tuition since they follow comparable training structures regulated by the NMCN. Post-Basic Nursing programmes, which admit already-qualified nurses seeking a specialty qualification in areas such as Perioperative Nursing, Cardiothoracic Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, or Anaesthetic Nursing, tend to carry a different fee structure altogether. These specialty programmes run for a shorter, more intensive duration, usually around two years, and their fee often reflects the cost of specialized equipment, clinical exposure, and instructor expertise required for that specialty, which can place them above the standard entry-level nursing and midwifery fee.
How Freshers Pay Their School Fees at CONSCAL
The college manages fee payment through its official student portal rather than accepting fees over the counter, which reduces the risk of payment errors and gives students a digital record of transactions. A fresher who has been offered admission follows this general process:
- Visit the official CONSCAL student portal using a web browser.
- Generate a Student Payment Code (SPC) linked to the matriculation number or JAMB registration number provided at admission.
- Select the “Pay Fees” option on the portal and choose the correct session and fee category for a fresher.
- Complete payment through the accepted payment channel indicated on the portal, whether by card or bank transfer.
- Confirm the payment and print or save the receipt for registration purposes.
- Proceed to physical registration at the college with the printed payment evidence and other required admission documents.
How Returning Students Pay Their School Fees at CONSCAL
Returning students follow a similar digital process but skip the steps tied to fresh admission, since their matriculation number is already active on the system:
- Log in to the CONSCAL student portal using existing matriculation details.
- Select “Pay Fees” and choose the current session along with the appropriate level.
- Confirm the fee amount displayed for a returning student at that level.
- Complete payment through the portal’s payment channel.
- Print the payment confirmation and proceed with course registration for the new session.
Documents Needed Alongside Fee Payment
Beyond settling the required fees, both freshers and returning students need specific documents on hand when completing registration at CONSCAL. Freshers typically need their admission letter, O’Level result (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB), birth certificate or age declaration, local government identification, passport photographs, and evidence of the medical screening the college requires before matriculation. Returning students generally need their college ID card, previous session’s result slip, and the current session’s payment receipt to complete registration smoothly.
Factors That May Cause Fee Adjustments
School fees at state colleges of nursing are not permanently fixed and can change from one academic session to another. A few factors commonly influence adjustments at CONSCAL and similar institutions:
- Government subvention levels, since state-owned colleges rely partly on funding from the Cross River State Ministry of Health.
- General inflation and the rising cost of laboratory reagents, clinical materials, and equipment used in nursing training.
- Accreditation requirements from the NMCN, which sometimes call for upgraded facilities that the college funds partly through fee reviews.
- Policy decisions made by the college management or state government regarding subsidized training for indigenes of Cross River State versus non-indigene applicants.
Because of these variables, prospective and current students should always confirm the exact fee amount for the 2026/2027 session directly through the official CONSCAL portal rather than relying on figures from a previous session, since even a modest review can change the total a student is expected to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the school fee the same for freshers and returning students at CONSCAL?
No. Freshers pay more because of one-off charges such as the acceptance fee, matriculation fee, and identity card fee, which do not apply to returning students.
Does the Midwifery programme cost more than the Nursing programme at CONSCAL?
Generally, both programmes carry a similar base tuition structure, though clinical and practical fees can vary slightly depending on the specific training requirements of each programme.
How do I pay my school fees at CONSCAL?
Payment is done through the official college student portal, where a student generates a Student Payment Code, selects the applicable fee category, and completes payment through the available payment channel.
Are Post-Basic Nursing programme fees different from the general nursing programme?
Yes. Post-Basic specialties such as Perioperative Nursing, Cardiothoracic Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, and Anaesthetic Nursing usually carry a separate fee structure due to their specialized, shorter, and more intensive training format.
Where can I get the exact fee amount for the 2026/2027 session?
The exact figure is confirmed on the official CONSCAL student portal or through the college’s admission office, since fee amounts are subject to periodic review by the college management and the Cross River State Ministry of Health.