The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has announced a significant update to the government's No-Fees-Stress application portal, enabling students under the age of 18 to now complete their loan applications, a move expected to improve access to financial support for younger tertiary students.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, June 17, the SLTF noted that younger students had previously been unable to complete the application process due to age-related restrictions on owning bank accounts in Ghana.

This technical limitation has now been addressed through recent modifications to the online system.

“Our recent modification to the No-Fees-Stress portal addresses this hurdle,” the SLTF said.

According to the SLTF, students below the age of 18 can now proceed with their applications by selecting 'No' under the bank account option and instead providing the names of their parents or guardians.

This alternative method enables them to bypass the bank account requirement while still progressing through the application process.

The Fund urged all eligible students in this category to take advantage of the update by logging into the application portal and following the revised instructions.

“We are working to facilitate greater access to financial support for all tertiary students to ensure they can pursue their academic dreams without the burden of fees,” the statement added.

The change is expected to benefit many early-entry tertiary students who would otherwise be left without support simply due to their age.

For further details or assistance, the SLTF has advised students and parents to contact them via 0302 751 020 or by emailing info@sltf.gov.gh.

No-Fees-Stress initiative

The No-Fees-Stress initiative forms part of the broader Free Tertiary Education agenda introduced by the current NDC administration, building on previous educational reforms.

The policy seeks to eliminate the financial barriers that prevent qualified Ghanaian students from pursuing higher education, particularly at the public tertiary level.

Under the scheme, the government shoulders the academic fees of first-year students, with the aim of enhancing access, equity, and national development through human capital investment.

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