The NDC administration is poised to expand the Student Loan Scheme to encompass students enrolled in private tertiary institutions.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu revealed this development during the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed board members of the Student Loan Trust Fund, which coincided with the launch of a digital loan application platform.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, the proposal aims to provide financial assistance to students in private universities who face similar economic challenges as their counterparts in public institutions but are currently ineligible for the scheme.
“Government is considering expanding the Student Loan Scheme to students even in private tertiary institutions,” he announced.
He emphasized that the expansion is in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s desire to support all Ghanaians struggling to access higher education, regardless of whether they attend public or private universities. “It’s the desire of President John Dramani Mahama to expand it to other Ghanaians who are equally struggling, maybe because of their inability to get admission into a public university,” he stated.
The Student Loan Trust Fund has also launched a digital platform to streamline the loan application process for students, making it more accessible and efficient.
He encouraged the newly appointed board members to explore ways to achieve this goal within their mandate. “For this year 2025, your remit is to look at what is obvious and natural within your mandate,” he added.
The proposed expansion seeks to promote inclusivity and equity in access to higher education, recognizing that many students in private universities face similar financial constraints as those in public institutions.
