Paying for higher education in Ghana
In Ghana, students at an accredited tertiary institution can borrow from the Students Loan Trust Fund, set up by law in 2011, while since 2025 the No-Fees-Stress policy refunds academic fees for first-year students at public institutions.
The Students Loan Trust Fund, the public lender
Established by Act 820 of 2011, the Students Loan Trust Fund grants loans to Ghanaian students enrolled at accredited tertiary institutions. The amount varies with the type of programme and covers academic fees and living expenses during the course.
SLTF eligibility conditions
Applicants must be Ghanaian, admitted to an accredited institution, hold a Ghana Card and present a guarantor. The fund also confirms the admission with the university or college before any of the sums granted are paid out to the student.
Repayment after graduation
Repayment starts after the end of studies and national service, following a grace period. Instalments are then deducted from the graduate's salary, and the guarantor is contacted if the former student stops paying what is owed to the fund.
The No-Fees-Stress policy for first-year students
Since the 2024-2025 academic year, the state has covered academic fees for first-year students at public institutions. The SLTF administers the measure, which according to the fund is financed with 537 million cedis in the 2026 budget.
Institutions covered by No-Fees-Stress
Public universities, technical universities, colleges of education, agricultural colleges and health training schools are included. Students confirm their enrolment on the SLTF portal, and the fees are then paid to the institution or refunded to the student.
Free tuition for students with disabilities
A separate allocation of 25 million cedis in the 2026 budget funds free tertiary education for students with disabilities at public institutions. Applications for this support also go through the scheme run by the Students Loan Trust Fund.
Scholarships Secretariat and GETFund awards
The Scholarships Secretariat awards national scholarships and manages foreign scholarships offered to Ghana. The Ghana Education Trust Fund mainly finances infrastructure but also supports some scholarships. The criteria change every year in line with budgets.
Private universities and remaining costs
At Ashesi, Central University or Valley View, fees are higher and not covered by No-Fees-Stress. Students then combine an SLTF loan, family savings and sometimes a bank loan taken out in the name of a salaried parent.
Accommodation, transport and extra costs
Private hostel accommodation around Legon or KNUST, a laptop, transport and meals often weigh more than academic fees. The SLTF loan can cover part of these everyday expenses, which are all paid in cedis throughout the academic year.
Bank loans to parents
Ghanaian banks almost never lend directly to a student with no income. Instead they finance a salaried parent through a personal loan or a product dedicated to school fees, described under school fees loans in Ghana.
Studying abroad and foreign currency
To study in the United Kingdom or the United States, families must raise funds in foreign currency. Swings in the cedi make these plans expensive, and the SLTF does not finance studies outside the country except under a specific programme.
Comparing with other financing
The guide to credit in Ghana presents other family financing options, from universal banks to credit unions. In Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivorian student loan relies on different public and bank schemes within the WAEMU regulatory framework.
Applying for a Students Loan Trust Fund loan
- Secure admission to an accredited tertiary institution and register your Ghana Card.
- Create an account on the Students Loan Trust Fund portal and complete the online application form.
- Find an eligible guarantor, usually an employee or taxpayer holding their own Ghana Card.
- Have your enrolment confirmed by the institution and submit the supporting documents the fund requests.
- Receive disbursements on the SLTF schedule and keep the statements for future repayment.
- Start repaying after national service and inform the fund of any change of employer.
Funding the university year in Ghana
| Item | Possible scheme | Point to watch |
|---|---|---|
| First-year academic fees at a public institution | No-Fees-Stress, run by the SLTF | Portal validation is compulsory |
| Academic fees in later years | SLTF loan or family savings | Amount capped by programme |
| Accommodation and living costs | SLTF loan, family support | High costs near Legon and KNUST |
| Private university | SLTF loan if accredited, a parent's bank loan | Not covered by No-Fees-Stress |
| Studying abroad | Scholarships, foreign-currency savings | Exchange risk on the cedi |
Documents for a student loan in Ghana
- Student's Ghana Card
- Admission letter from the accredited institution
- Student number and proof of enrolment
- Guarantor's Ghana Card and contact details
- Student's bank or mobile money details
- Disability certificate for the dedicated free tuition, where relevant
Common mistakes by Ghanaian students
- Forgetting to confirm enrolment on the No-Fees-Stress portal on time and so losing the refund of first-year fees.
- Choosing a guarantor who does not understand the commitment, then seeing them chased by the SLTF when repayments stop.
- Paying a middleman who promises to speed up an SLTF loan or a scholarship, when official procedures are free.
- Enrolling at a non-accredited institution, which rules out both the Students Loan Trust Fund loan and No-Fees-Stress.
- Failing to tell the fund about your first job, which leads to penalties and a report to the credit bureaus.
Lenders to contact
- Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF): Ghanaian student loan fund financing the studies of tertiary education students in Ghana for more than a decade.
- Zenith Bank Ghana: Commercial bank operating in Ghana with a dedicated SME banking offer including financing partnerships for small businesses.
Questions about funding studies in Ghana
Does No-Fees-Stress cover every year of study in Ghana?
No. The policy targets academic fees for first-year students admitted to public institutions. For later years, students can apply for a Students Loan Trust Fund loan or rely on their family and on scholarships to cover the costs.
Do I need a guarantor for an SLTF loan in Ghana?
Yes, the Students Loan Trust Fund requires a guarantor, who undertakes to step in if the former student does not repay. The guarantor eligibility criteria are set out on the fund's portal and may change from one year to the next.
Can students at private Ghanaian universities borrow from the SLTF?
Yes, if they are enrolled at an accredited private institution. However, they do not benefit from No-Fees-Stress, which is reserved for public institutions. The SLTF loan usually covers only part of the fees at a private university.
When does repayment of a student loan start in Ghana?
Repayment begins after the end of studies and national service, once a grace period set by the fund has passed. Instalments are then set according to the amount borrowed and deducted from the graduate's salary.