As tertiary institutions prepare to start the 2025/2026 academic year, one question continues to dominate conversations among prospective students and parents alike: Will newly admitted Level 100 students pay admission fees?
We hope you’ve also been asking yourself the same question, right? Good! The answer is yes—and it’s important to understand why the YES and the reasons behind it.
This growing concern follows the government’s implementation of the No Fees Stress Policy, a widely praised initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on students.
While the policy has brought significant relief, especially through the recent tuition refunds to students, it clearly shows it does not eliminate the full cost of admission.
This article seeks to clarify what the policy really covers, per the recent refund—and what it doesn’t.
What Is the No Fees Stress Policy?
The No Fees Stress Policy was introduced by the government to reduce the financial burden on first year tertiary students.
The initiative aims to eliminate fees for first year undergraduate students in public universities and colleges.
It’s a bold step toward equitable access to higher education, and many have welcomed it as a game-changer.
But here’s the catch based on the recent refund made to the first-year students. The policy only covers tuition fees, not the full cost of admission.
What does the admission fee include?
Admission fees are made up of several components beyond tuition.
These typically include:
- Facility user fees
- Examination fees
- Medical and health insurance
- ICT and library services
- Hall or hostel charges
- Departmental and faculty dues
- SRC/association fees
- And More
These charges vary slightly across institutions, but together they form the bulk of what students must pay to complete their enrollment.
Recent refunds – a clue to what’s covered
Earlier this year, many level 100 students who had paid full admission fees—some from Colleges of Education as high as GHS 3,500—received partial refunds.
The refunded amount was typically around GHS 1,800, which represented the tuition component of their fees.
This refund confirmed what many had suspected: The No Fees Stress Policy does not eliminate the entire admission fee, only the tuition portion.
This precedent makes it clear that first-year students for the 2025/2026 academic year may be required to pay for all the non-tuition components of their admission fees.
What should applicants expect?
If you’ve applied to any public tertiary institution for the 2025/2026 academic year, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- You will likely not pay tuition fees, thanks to the No Fees Stress Policy.
- However, you will still pay other fees, and the amount will depend on the institution and programme.
- You should budget accordingly and avoid assuming that admission will be entirely free.
- You may also need to pay for accommodation, textbooks, and other personal expenses.
Why this matters
The questions we’ve received in our inboxes show that there are many misconceptions surrounding the programme.
This belief that admission is now ‘ totally free’ has led to unrealistic expectations.
By clarifying what the No Fees Stress Policy covers—especially in light of the recent refunds—we want to help students prepare more effectively and avoid last-minute surprises.
Stay connected. Stay informed. Follow Coleman Publications for more stories…
No comment yet, add your voice below!