Mr. Obeng Agyenim Boateng, Director of Corporate Communications at the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), has confirmed that a significant number of students who applied for the No Fees Stress Reimbursement are yet to receive their payments.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 News360 on August 18, 2025—monitored by Coleman Publications—Mr. Boateng acknowledged the Fund’s awareness of the delays and outlined the challenges currently facing the reimbursement process.
According to Mr. Boateng, the SLTF initially projected around 150,000 applicants for the policy nationwide.
However, the number has surged to over 200,000, creating an unexpected strain on the system. So far, 120,000 students have successfully received their reimbursements.
“This sharp increase is partly due to applications from students who are not enrolled in accredited programmes,” he noted, adding that such cases complicate validation and delay processing.
He further explained that many students submitted incorrect or mismatched personal details, making it difficult for the system to verify their eligibility.
“Some students applied with wrong data—names not matching institutional records, incorrect programme codes, and other inconsistencies. These errors are slowing down the process,” Mr. Boateng stated.
Despite these setbacks, he assured that students who submitted accurate information and have been validated should expect their reimbursements soon.
“Those who did the right thing should keep their fingers crossed. They will receive what is due them shortly.”
Addressing widespread speculation that students may face increased fees in their second year due to the reimbursement policy, Mr. Boateng was unequivocal:
“That is not true. Students will pay only what has been accredited by their respective universities. We urge students and parents to disregard such misinformation circulating in the public domain.”
The No Fees Stress Reimbursement policy was launched in 2024 as part of a broader government initiative to ease financial pressure on tertiary students.
It was designed to refund tuition fees to first-year students who had paid upfront, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The policy aimed to promote equitable access to higher education and reduce dropout rates linked to financial hardship.
While the initiative was widely praised for its intent, its implementation has revealed systemic challenges—chief among them, data integrity and institutional coordination.
Mr. Boateng emphasised that the SLTF is working closely with universities and technical institutions to streamline verification processes and ensure that only eligible students benefit.
“We are committed to transparency and fairness. But we also need the cooperation of the students to make this work.”
As the SLTF continues to process the backlog, students are advised to monitor official channels and ensure their application details are accurate and complete.
For many, the wait continues—but clarity from the Fund offers a glimmer of hope that relief is on the horizon.
Coleman Publications will continue to track developments on this issue and provide timely updates to ensure students and stakeholders remain informed.
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