The Chief Executive Officer of the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz, has affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to tertiary education through the newly introduced No Fees Stress policy. Speaking at the No Fees Stress sensitization event held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Shiraz explained that the initiative, backed by the government under President John Dramani Mahama, aims to reduce the financial pressure on parents and guardians of newly admitted tertiary students.
“Article 25 of the 1992 Constitution enjoins the state to make tertiary education progressively accessible. This initiative is a grant, not a loan, to support first-year students in public accredited institutions by covering their academic fees,” she stated. Dr. Shiraz emphasized that the policy is not standalone but includes several sub-policies designed to improve access and reduce dropout rates due to financial hardship.
“We are mandated to provide financial assistance to students, and this is a strategic intervention for first-year students to ensure smooth entry into higher education,” she added. She noted that the SLTF has been working in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Union of Students to roll out the initiative, with pilot testing already underway.
“We are asking all first-year students for the 2024/2025 academic year to register on our portal using their Ghana cards and correct personal details. Validation begins in the first and second weeks of June.
The earlier students register, the faster they will be reimbursed,” she said. Dr. Shiraz also revealed that over 160 public tertiary institutions have been tasked to submit the data of their newly admitted students to help prevent fraudulent applications and ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive the funds.
She encouraged all qualified students to apply promptly, describing the initiative as a long-term investment in national development and competitiveness. “This is not just a policy; it’s a pathway to future equity in education and national growth,” she concluded.