Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has announced that persons with disabilities (PWDs) should endeavor to register with the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) in order to benefit from the government's "No-Free-Stress" policy .

While addressing a gathering of persons with special needs at the ministry on Monday, June 2, Hon. Iddrisu mentioned that the registration is imperative to ensure funds are successfully disbursed to applicants, reiterating President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge to make higher education fully accessible to the disabled.

“We are collecting data on persons with disabilities from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and all tertiary institutions for the effective implementation of this policy,” the minister stated. “Your funding will come through the Student Loan Trust, so every person with a disability needs to register,” he stated.

The delegation from the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, was led by their president, Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadzie. The Federation congratulated the minister on his appointment and discussed key concerns affecting persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the education sector.

Top on their agenda were access to tertiary education for PWDs, timelines for rolling out the Inclusive Education Policy, budgetary allocations for disability-friendly education, introduction of sign language in basic schools as promised by President John Dramani Mahama, and provision of assistive technology to enhance learning for PWDs.

On June 1, the sector minister joined students of the University for Development Studies for a special sensitization session on H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s bold and transformative #NoFeeStress initiative.

Joined by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Students Loan Trust Fund, Dr. Saajida Shiraz, the minister engaged with students on how the initiative is poised to benefit over 40,000 students nationwide—by removing the pressure of upfront tuition payments and providing more equitable access to tertiary education.

This impactful policy will allow students to pursue their education without financial stress, while the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) supports them through flexible repayment structures.Launching the portal on April 29, the sector minister described the policy as a bold and strategic move by the government to improve access to tertiary education and invest in the country’s future workforce.

The SLTF has explained that the new system will make it easier for eligible students to register, submit their details, and be assessed for financial support. The portal is now live and can be accessed via

or

For additional assistance, students are encouraged to call 0302751020 or visit any SLTF zonal office across the country.

Meanwhile, the government has clarified that first-year public university students who have already paid their academic fees for the current academic year will not receive cash refunds. Instead, the government will apply the equivalent amount as credit toward the students' second-year fees.

The “No-Fee Stress” initiative was a major campaign promise by then-presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama, who pledged to absorb academic fees for all Level 100 students within the first 120 days of his administration.

To support the rollout of the “No-Fee Stress” policy, GH¢499.8 million has been allocated under the 2025 national budget, which was presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday, March 11.