The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) says it is providing bridge financing to newly admitted first-year students of public universities and public technical universities under the Government's No Academic Fees Policy.
It said as the 2026/2027 academic year commenced, tertiary institutions were requiring newly admitted students to pay a portion of their fees by a set deadline to confirm their admissions.
Support under the No Academic Fees Policy to public universities and public technical universities, the SLTF said in a statement, was paid after institutions submit their admission data and students' details are validated — a necessary process that takes time.
Forward
“This financing brings the academic fee support forward to ensure that no eligible first-year student loses their admission because of fee-payment deadlines.”
“In keeping with the No-Fees-Stress agenda of ensuring that financial circumstances do not impede access to tertiary education, the fund will, upon application by an eligible student, advance the required fee deposit directly to the tertiary institution to secure the student's admission,” it said and that “The advance will subsequently be reconciled against the coverage due to the student under the No Academic Fees Policy”.
Fund
The fund expressed its sincere appreciation to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Vice-Chancellors Ghana, Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities, Ghana, and the leadership of public tertiary institutions for their collaboration and for extending fee-payment deadlines to facilitate the successful implementation of this important intervention.
“All newly admitted first-year students who require immediate financial support are encouraged to apply promptly through the No-Fees-Stress Portal at https://nofeesstress.gov.gh to secure their admission and commence their academic journey without financial anxiety,” it said.
It said for further information, stakeholders should contact Esenam Akosua Dzansi, Head of Public Relations and Corporate Affairs, Students Loan Trust Fund, on +233 24 383 7583 or
Under the No-Academic-Fees Policy alone, 321,680 students have so far been validated, reimbursed or enrolled.
They included 152,698 first-year students whose 2024/25 fees were reimbursed as well as a further 168,982 beneficiaries paid directly so far this academic year through direct-to-institution disbursement.
Policy
The ‘No Stress Fee’ initiative, part of the government’s No Academic Fee Policy, was launched by President John Dramani Mahama in July 2025.
Among other things, the policy aims to remove financial barriers that prevent qualified students from enrolling in public universities, technical universities, nursing training colleges and colleges of education.
It guarantees free full academic fee payment for all first-year students enrolled in public tertiary institutions.
Another initiative under the No Academic Fee Policy is the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities, which involves the full tuition payments and residential fees for all persons with disabilities enrolled at public tertiary institutions.
The traditional Student Loan Scheme, now enhanced, has reached 59,307 students in the 2025/26 academic year, disbursing over GH¢210.6 million.
