Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr Saajida Shiraz

Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr Saajida Shiraz, has announced a major shift in the operations of the fund, declaring an end to the era where approved student loans were not disbursed.

Addressing stakeholders during the official launch of the No Fees Stress initiative in Koforidua on Friday, July 4, Dr. Shiraz said the Fund has restored its credibility by consistently delivering on its obligations to students across the country.

“The days where SLTF approved students for loans it could not give is over, and the nonchalance that characterised the shameful failure to meet core mandate obligations are a thing of the past,” she asserted.

Dr Shiraz noted that the SLTF had already disbursed first-semester loans to a total of 38,440 students across 145 public and private tertiary institutions for the 2024/2025 academic year. More significantly, she announced the resumption of second-semester loan payments; marking the first time in four years that such payments have been made.

“Exactly three days ago, we paid second-semester loans to 19,703 students across 135 public and private institutions,” she revealed.

The SLTF boss credited the progress to the strong backing of government, particularly under President John Dramani Mahama’s education financing reset agenda, and support from key institutions such as GETFund.

“My appreciation goes to the GETFund Administrator for prioritising the President’s tertiary education financing reset agenda and committing to making available to SLTF the funds that are necessary for us to meet our commitments to students,” she said.

Dr Shiraz reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to continue delivering on all components of the No Fees Stress policy, promising enhanced efficiency, prompt disbursements, and expanded support for Ghanaian students.