The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat has officially launched the 2025 Local Tertiary Scholarships Programme, with 5,000 students expected to benefit from the scheme for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Speaking at the launch in Accra on Wednesday, July 30, the Registrar, Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, described the initiative as a cornerstone of President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to expand access to higher education and empower the nation’s future leaders.

“This initiative represents a cornerstone of H. E. John Dramani Mahama’s vision of creating a new scholarship regime with the commitment to expanding access to higher education and empowering the future leaders of our nation,” he said.

Mr. Asafo-Agyei explained that out of the 5,000 scholarships, 2,000 awards will go to brilliant but needy students across public tertiary institutions.

This will be administered through their respective faculties and overseen by a technical committee from SCHOLSEC.

The remaining 3,000 will be given to other qualified applicants selected through a competitive application process.

Touching on the eligibility criteria, the Registrar outlined that all applicants must be Ghanaian citizens resident in Ghana and already admitted into a programme.

“For public universities, only Level 200 and above students are eligible, due to the government’s “No Fee Stress Refund” for Level 100 students.

“For private universities and accredited colleges, Level 100 students are eligible to apply as they are not beneficiaries of the “No Fee Stress” policy,” he stated.

The fully digital application process will take place on the Secretariat’s website, www.scholarships.gov.gh, and will be conducted in three phases:

Phase 1: Create an account, input personal and academic details, upload documents, and select a Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA) for an interview.

Phase 2: Sit for an online aptitude test on a scheduled date.

Phase 3: Qualified applicants attend selection interviews at their chosen MMDAs.

The application portal will remain open from July 30, 2025, to August 15, 2025.

This will be followed by the interview session from August 18 to August 30, 2025, with results and award announcements scheduled for first week of September.

Mr. Asafo-Agyei strongly cautioned against fraud, warning applicants not to pay money to any individual or group promising assistance.

“The application for scholarship is absolutely FREE. No part of the application process requires payment.

“The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat does not charge fees for services, and no individual, group, or third-party entity has been engaged or authorized to assist applicants at a fee,” he stressed.

He urged the public to report suspected fraudulent activities to the Secretariat’s dedicated WhatsApp line, 0559 285 646, which is managed by the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department.

Meanwhile, the Registrar has encouraged eligible Ghanaians to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Through this scholarship programme, we are investing in the minds and dreams of the next generation. I encourage all eligible Ghanaians to apply confidently, knowing that the process is free, fair, and open to all who meet the criteria,” he said.