The Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz, has revealed that more than 124,000 students have successfully applied for financial support under the government’s newly launched No Fees Stress initiative.
Speaking at the official launch of the policy in Koforidua on Friday, Dr. Shiraz said a total of 148,429 students have accessed the No Fees Stress portal since its opening, with 124,338 of them completing their applications to benefit from the policy.
The initiative, led by President John Dramani Mahama, is aimed at removing financial barriers for first-year students entering public tertiary institutions. The policy covers academic-related fees, with additional support mechanisms for continuing students and persons with disabilities.
Dr. Shiraz described the response from students as “overwhelming,” and confirmed that the SLTF had also received enrolment data for 135,255 students from tertiary institutions across the country.
“We have so far validated 49,956 students for reimbursement,” she disclosed. “In the coming days, we hope to validate more students and to process reimbursements timeously.”
She noted that the Students Loan Trust Fund, under the direction of the Ministry of Education, had worked in close collaboration with stakeholders including Vice Chancellors Ghana, technical universities, colleges of education, health training institutions, and civil society groups to ensure smooth rollout.
Dr. Shiraz further announced the upcoming launch of the Student Loan Plus initiative, which will offer enhanced financial support for continuing students beginning the 2025/2026 academic year.
READ: Mahama has delivered every promise under No Fees Stress – SLTF CEO
Reaffirming the SLTF’s commitment to President Mahama’s vision, Dr. Shiraz said: “No element of your vision of an enhanced tertiary education financing regime will go unfulfilled.”
The No Fees Stress policy is designed to promote equity in tertiary education and ensure that no Ghanaian child is denied access simply because of inability to pay academic fees.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
