✅ No Fees Stress Policy Delivers: Almost 50,000 Students Validated for Reimbursement
Acting CEO of the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz, has announced a major milestone in the government’s No Fees Stress policy—49,956 first-year students in public tertiary institutions have been successfully validated for fee reimbursement.
The announcement was made at the official launch event in Koforidua on Friday, July 4, 2025, marking a significant leap forward in the government’s plan to eliminate financial barriers for tertiary education in Ghana.
🌐 Portal Access and Application Figures
Since the policy’s online portal opened on April 29, 2025, activity has surged:
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📥 148,429 students accessed the portal
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📝 124,338 completed their applications
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🏫 135,255 enrollment records received from public tertiary institutions
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✅ 49,956 students validated and approved for reimbursement
“We expect more updates from institutions, but as of now, nearly 50,000 students have been validated for reimbursement,” Dr. Shiraz confirmed.
🤝 Collaboration with Stakeholders
To ensure seamless implementation, the SLTF has worked closely with:
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Public Universities & Technical Universities
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Colleges of Education & Health Training Institutions
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National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)
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Vice-Chancellors Association of Ghana
“As the implementing agency, we are fully committed to this vision with urgency, transparency, and diligence,” Dr. Shiraz stated.
She also praised the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, for its support in coordinating across educational institutions and student bodies.
🎯 What is the No Fees Stress Policy?
The No Fees Stress Policy was a flagship campaign promise by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2024 elections. It targets first-year students in public tertiary institutions, providing full academic fee coverage and additional financial reforms including:
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Free tertiary education for persons with disabilities
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Restructured student loan scheme
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Targeted scholarships for underrepresented communities
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Reimbursement for fee-paying programmes without subsidized alternatives
📈 Looking Ahead
In its initial phase, the policy is already benefiting tens of thousands of students, with plans for expansion to cover more learners across Ghana’s higher education landscape.
Video below:
Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com
