No-fees stress policy: student spending patterns vary as parents remain unaware

The government's No-fees stress policy, introduced to reduce the financial burden on tertiary students by subsidising or covering academic fees, continues to attract attention across Ghanaian universities. The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) maintains that the initiative is enhancing access to higher education, particularly for first-year students. However, experiences on various campuses indicate differing levels of awareness among stakeholders and varying ways in which the support is utilised by students and perceived by their families. Some students report that although the funds are intended primarily for educational expenses, they are often directed toward a range of other essential costs associated with campus life. One beneficiary explained that the funds are quickly exhausted after disbursement. "After paying the fees, the rest goes into accommodation, food, transport and other personal needs. Campus life is expensive, so it doesn't last long," he said. Another student observed that some beneficiaries allocate a portion of the funds to personal lifestyle spending. "Some people use it for things like phones, entertainment or other personal spending, especially if they already have some financial support elsewhere," she said. The combination of limited parental awareness of the policy and varied spending patterns among students has prompted discussions about the need for enhanced public sensitisation and clearer communication regarding the objectives and use of the programme. Despite these concerns, the No-Fees Stress policy continues to receive commendation for easing financial pressures on students and expanding access to tertiary education, particularly for first-year entrants.