The government is weighing the option of broadening the Student Loan Scheme to cover students enrolled in private tertiary institutions.

This proposal was discussed during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed board members of the Student Loan Trust Fund on April 29.

The event also marked the launch of a new digital platform designed to streamline the loan application process for students.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu shared that the government's consideration of this expansion is driven by the financial difficulties faced by private university students, who often experience the same economic challenges as their peers in public institutions but are currently excluded from the loan scheme.

“Government is considering expanding the Student Loan Scheme to students even in private tertiary institutions, so even for this year [2025], your remit is to look at what is obvious and natural within your mandate,” Minister Iddrisu stated.

He further explained that this proposal aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to extend support to all Ghanaians struggling to afford higher education.

Minister Iddrisu highlighted that many students who cannot secure admission to public universities must resort to private institutions, yet they remain excluded from the existing financial aid system.

“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. They have to go to private universities, but they are still Ghanaians. And this is a loan, payable by the students,” he added.

This potential expansion of the scheme would provide critical financial support to a larger group of students, enabling more of them to pursue their education without the burden of financial barriers.