As part of a series of reforms being implemented under President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has announced a 50% increase in loan amounts available to tertiary students.

In this regard, regular students will now receive between GHC2,250 and GHC4,500 each academic year, and they will get the funds directly from the SLTF.

This was contained in a statement signed and dated Friday, November 7, by Dr. Saajida Shiraz, Chief Executive Officer of the SLTF. The Students Loan Trust Fund explained that the raise is to ensure that all groups of persons can pursue tertiary education without encountering financial challenges.

“Following President Mahama’s directive, loan amounts have been reviewed upward to reflect current economic realities and to provide meaningful support to students,” the statement said.

So far, beneficiaries amount to 35,608 across 130 public and private institutions nationwide. According to SLTF management, the latest disbursement reflects the John Mahama-led administration’s pledge to ensure inclusive access to education, regardless of students' backgrounds.

The SLTF, conversely, has reiterated its resolve to release funds on time to allow students to gain admission into their preferred tertiary institutions without financial hindrance.

Earlier this year, the Fund approved financial aid for 9,433 students enrolled in 62 public and private tertiary institutions nationwide.

The Ministry of Education has also made accessible a registration portal to help first-year students at public tertiary institutions in Ghana apply for financial assistance under the government’s new No-Fee-Stress Policy.

Launching the portal on Monday, April 29, Education Minister Hon. Haruna Iddrisu described the policy as a bold and strategic move by the government to improve access to tertiary education and invest in the country’s future workforce.

The SLTF explained that the new system will make it easier for eligible students to register, submit their details, and be assessed for financial support.

For additional assistance, students are encouraged to call 0302751020 or visit any SLTF zonal office across the country.

Meanwhile, the government has clarified that first-year public university students who have already paid their academic fees for the current academic year will not receive cash refunds. Instead, the government will apply the equivalent amount as credit toward the students' second-year fees.

Earlier, the Trust Fund announced a refund for first-year students at public tertiary institutions who have paid their academic user fees for the 2024/2025 academic year. The refund is expected to take place in June this year under the “No-Fee Stress” initiative. The Trust Fund emphasized that applications submitted will undergo thorough checks.

Dr. Shiraz added, “We urge all first-year students to apply promptly to secure their reimbursement.”

Students have been admonished to channel inquiries via the SLTF's official website. The “No-Fee Stress” initiative was a major campaign promise by then-presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama, who pledged to absorb academic fees for all Level 100 students within the first 120 days of his administration.

In response, the government has allocated GH¢499.8 million under the 2025 national budget to support the policy.

The SLTF, established in December 2005 under the Trustee Incorporation Act 1962 (Act 106), is dedicated to managing financial resources efficiently to support students while upholding national principles.

In August, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) allocated GH₵67,671,080 to settle five months’ arrears of the non-feeding component of teacher trainee allowances for 30,157 students in 47 public Colleges of Education.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz, in a Facebook post on Monday, August 5, disclosed this information.

According to the Students Loan Trust Fund, it began the disbursement on August 1 to individuals who had completed the verification of their personal and bank details.

“The Students Loan Trust Fund has received GH₵67,671,080 from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to be disbursed as the non-feeding component of teacher trainee allowances for five months to students enrolled in 47 public Colleges of Education. The last of this money was received on July 29, 2025.

"On August 1, 2025, we proceeded to pay teacher trainee allowances of five months to 30,157 students in 37 public Colleges of Education based on the data available to us at the time,” she wrote.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund stated that the Fund has initiated the necessary processes to make a second disbursement to students who have not yet received their allowances. “The Students Loan Trust Fund is committed to transparency in our operations. Please indulge us as we go through the necessary operational motions to ensure you receive the support due you from government,” she added.

Additionally, the CEO mentioned that the SLTF is actively working on No-Fee-Stress reimbursements, and the extended deadline is to ensure all students eligible for reimbursements are duly registered.

In June, the Ghana Education Service (GES) asked newly posted teachers to remain calm, as budgetary allocations have been made to settle their unpaid salaries. In a press release issued by the GES Public Relations Officer, Daniel Fenyi, on Tuesday, June 24, it was noted that all legitimately hired teachers who have yet to receive payment will soon be sorted out after the necessary validations and administrative processes are completed.

"It is important to note that significant progress has already been made. The Service assures all affected staff that every effort is being made to rectify the situation and ensure that all genuinely recruited teachers receive their due remuneration," parts of the statement read.