No-Fees-Stress Policy Explained: Full Overview, Eligibility & Impact

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | July 05 |  No-Fees-Stress Policy Explained: Full Overview, Eligibility & Impact

Dive deep into Ghana’s No‑Fees‑Stress Policy 2025: discover which fees are covered, who qualifies, inclusion of colleges, disbursement status, and President Mahama’s full launch speech.

Launched on July 4, 2025, Ghana’s No‑Fees‑Stress Policy is a game-changing initiative under the Reset Ghana agenda, ensuring that all first-year Ghanaian students in public tertiary institutions—universities, polytechnics, Colleges of Education, and nursing training colleges—have no upfront academic-related fees to pay. Administered by the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), this bold equity move removes financial barriers and aligns with broader reforms like the GALOP programme.

What Fees Are Covered?

The policy covers all academic-related charges, including:

• Admission and matriculation fees

• Registration charges

• Facility-use levies for services like labs, libraries, and ICT

SLTF transfers all payments directly to institutions, ensuring accountability and no misdirection of fundsn 

Who Is Eligible?

• All Ghanaian nationals entering public universities, technical/universities, polytechnics, teacher, and nursing colleges in the 2025 academic year

• Persons with disabilities (PWDs) receive extended support beyond year one

This includes specialized institutions—any public tertiary body qualifies.

Inclusion of Colleges and Professional Institutions

Yes. The policy explicitly covers teacher training colleges, technical universities, and nursing colleges, even extending to fee-paying programmes, with coverage up to GHS 2,500 for academic fees 

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  Application Process: How It Works

1. Go to the NoFeesStress Portal and register with your Ghana Card & student ID

2. Verify identity via NIA-linked selfie capture

3. Enter programme, institutional, and banking details

4. Submit OTP confirmation

5. SLTF validates and pays the institution directly

By mid‑June, 130,000+ accounts were created, with 100,000+ applications completed facebook.com+15myjoyonline.com+15nofeesstress.sltf.gov.gh+15.

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 Has Payment Been Made Yet?

Yes. SLTF began academic fee reimbursements in June 2025. As of May, around 15,000 students received disbursements, and by July 4, approximately 50,000 first-year students were validated and credited

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🗣️ 6. What Did President Mahama Say at Launch?

During the Koforidua launch, President Mahama delivered an impassioned speech, saying:

“Let it be known … no Ghanaian child will be denied tertiary education simply because they cannot afford the academic fees. This is the path to a more just society… no dream is deferred, and no potential is wasted.” 

He highlighted:

• Over 150,000 students admitted in 2022/23, many of whom deferred due to fees

• College of Education and Nursing fees ranging between GHS 1,362 to 2,340, surpassing monthly allowances

• That Student Loan Plus will continue assisting subsequent years — a moral, constitutional, and developmental covenant 

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📍 Mid-Article: Related Resources & Suggestions

Explore these resources on educationghana.org to deepen your knowledge:

• 🔗 2025 GES Academic Calendar – Stay ahead on key dates

• 🔗 How to Write an Effective SIP in Ghana – For institutional funding planning

• 🔗 How to Set Up an SBA Record System – For academic tracking and reporting

• 🆕 Upcoming feature: “How to Access Student Loan Plus in Year 2”, providing guidance on ongoing financial support

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🏛️ 7. How Is the Policy Funded & Monitored?

• GH¢499.8 million was allocated in the 2025 budget

• Disbursements occur quarterly via SLTF—no direct cash to students

• Monitoring via institutional compliance and GES inspection frameworks

This ensures transparency, fiscal integrity, and alignment with statutory mandates under Act 820

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🔄 8. After First Year: Student Loan Plus

Students who prepaid fees will have those fees credited toward the second year. From year two onward, they can apply for the Student Loan Plus scheme offering low-interest loans within SLTF’s expanded mandate.

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👂 9. Student & Institutional Feedback

The policy has received widespread praise:

• Students describe it as a “lifesaver” removing critical entry barriers

• Institutions report notable increases in enrollment, though some call for timelier fund transfers

President Mahama expressed that the policy stemmed from real stories of “brilliant but needy students,” aiming to heighten Ghana’s social mobility and knowledge economy 

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🧭 10. What Students Should Do Now (Call to Action)

Early registration = early disbursement and faster access to academic resources.

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🧠 In Summary

• All academic-related fees are covered for first-year public tertiary students across all institutions

• PWD students receive extended support beyond year one

• Payments began in June 2025, with ~50,000 students’ fees cleared

• President Mahama emphasized constitutional duty, social justice, and economic growth

• Next steps involve Year 2 funding via Student Loan Plus

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🌐 External Links — Trusted Sources

• Full text of Mahama’s launch speech 

•   Koforidua launch coverage

•   50,000 students validated

• – 15,000 reimbursements processed starrfm.com.gh

👉 Subscribe to our newsletter for expert insights on Ghana’s education system: educationghana.org/subscribe 📩 For partnerships and research support, contact: Ellisferdinand@ymail.com or Education.ghana@yahoo.com 

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