Dr Saajida Shiraz is the Acting CEO of the Students Loan Trust Fund

Nearly 50,000 first-year students in public tertiary institutions across the country have been validated for reimbursement under the government’s No Fees Stress policy, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr Saajida Shiraz, has disclosed.

She made this known during the official launch of the policy in Koforidua on Friday, July 4, 2025.

The policy, which officially opened its online portal on April 29, 2025, has since attracted 148,429 students, with 124,338 completing their applications through the SLTF’s digital system.

Additionally, enrollment data for 135,255 students has been received from public tertiary institutions, with further updates expected.

“A total of 148,429 students have accessed the portal, with 124,338 completing their applications. We have also received enrollment data for 135,255 students from public tertiary institutions via our tertiary institutions portal. We expect more updates, but so far, we have validated 49,956 students for reimbursements,” she stated.

According to Dr Shiraz, the SLTF is working closely with universities, technical universities, colleges of education, health training institutions, and student bodies such as the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) to ensure smooth implementation.

“As the implementing agency, the Student Loan Trust Fund is fully committed to operationalising this vision with diligence, transparency, and a sense of urgency.

"Through the Ministry of Education under the leadership of the Honorable Haruna Iddrisu, we have worked closely with our stakeholders individually and through organised groupings. We have also collaborated with the Vice-Chancellors Association of Ghana,” she added.

The No Fees Stress policy was a flagship promise made by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2024 election campaign.

It is aimed at easing the financial burden of tertiary education and improving access for students from diverse backgrounds.

The policy is expected to benefit tens of thousands of students in its initial phase, with plans for further expansion.

JKB/MA

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