The University Students’ Association of Ghana (USAG) has added its voice to the call on the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) to pay outstanding student loans to its members.

This comes on the back of the delay by the SLTF in disbursing students’ loans to beneficiaries. 

The USAG, wants the loan paid to its members to avoid having to forfeit the semester due to the inability to fulfil their financial obligations to their various institutions as a result of the non-payment of student loans as some depend on the loans to settle their school fees.

In a statement issued on Friday, 10 March 2023, the association stressed that: “The payment becomes even more necessary in this period when there has been a failure by the enforcing authorities to ensure compliance with the reduction of school fees on our university campuses, amidst the current economic difficulties.”

The statement continued that amidst the call on the SLTF to release the loans, the Association has “received even more worrying complaints about the gravity of the situation on our various campuses.”

According to the USAG, “a swift payment of the loans will give the Trust Fund an opportunity to imbibe and promote a culture of quick repayment among our student beneficiaries to allow more students to benefit from the loans.”

It also urged applicants of the loan scheme to “hold on to their faith while we join forces to demand a swift payment to support their education”.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) had said students are at a risk of deferring their courses if student loans are not paid immediately.

This followed numerous complaints received by NUGS, from students across the country about the non-payment of student loans despite a long period of applications.

A statement issued by NUGS, Sunday, 26 February 2023, signed by its President, Dennis Appiah Larbi Ampofo, entreated students who are beneficiaries of the loan or have applied to “calm down”

According to the Union, “It is unfortunate to also note that the last semester arrears have also not been paid, this is a huge problem in the face of the current situation in the country with students facing inability to register and continue their academic activity.”

It noted that: “At the moment about 70,000 students have applied.”

It indicated that some institutions have issued notices cautioning students about the impending deadline for registration of courses for the academic year which began a few weeks ago.

“KNUST is set to write mid-semester exams from 27 February 2023, it’s unfortunate that several of our students, risk not being able to write exams due to inability to pay their fees as a result of non-payment of student loans,” the statement continued.

NUGS, therefore, called on the “Student Loan Trust Fund and the Government, to as a matter of urgency, pay qualified applicants of the student loan immediately.”