In a significant step toward enhancing accessibility in higher education, Ghana’s Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, paid a visit to the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) on October 20th, 2025. During this visit, he praised the agency’s diligent efforts in executing the government’s No Fees Stress Policy, which he referred to as “the most impactful initiative” of the John Dramani Mahama administration. This policy has been a game changer for many students, making quality education more attainable.
Ahead of the much-anticipated launch of the Free Tertiary for Persons with Disabilities initiative—scheduled for October 24th at the Accra College of Education—Iddrisu’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that higher education is not just a privilege for a few but a right for all. This initiative aims to remove barriers that students with disabilities may face in accessing tertiary education.
During the tour, Dr. Saajida Shiraz, the CEO of SLTF, along with her team, provided the Minister with an in-depth overview of the New No Fees Stress Portal, an innovative platform designed to streamline applications and reimbursements for students. The Minister lauded the SLTF for its effective implementation of the policy, expressing confidence in their ongoing commitment to making tertiary education more inclusive and equitable.
Launched in July 2025, the No Fees Stress Policy aims to bolster equitable access to tertiary education across Ghanaian institutions. A core component of this initiative, known as the No Academic Policy, eliminates upfront academic user fees for all first-year students enrolling in public tertiary institutions, including universities, technical universities, and nursing training institutions. Under this initiative, the government also covers admission and registration fees for eligible first-year students, representing a monumental shift toward financial support for education.
The impact of this initiative is already evident, with over 150,000 students expected to benefit during its first phase. Impressively, as many as 129,269 students have already received reimbursements through this policy, demonstrating the tangible effects of the government’s commitment to higher education.
Looking forward, the SLTF is set to introduce additional components of the No Fees Stress Policy, including Students Loan Plus and the Free Tertiary for Persons with Disabilities Initiative in the 2025/26 academic year. Starting October 23rd, 2024, students will have access to the No Fees Stress portal, further simplifying their educational journey.
The Students Loan Trust Fund, established under the Students Loan Trust Fund Act of 2011 (Act 820), continues its essential role in providing financial resources to students engaged in accredited tertiary programs, paving the way for a brighter and more inclusive educational future.
As we watch these developments unfold, it’s evident that Ghana is taking proactive strides toward creating a more equitable educational landscape, and the ripple effects of these policies have the potential to transform lives across the country.
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