No more direct refund for 1st-year university students under “No-Fee Stress” policy – Apaak

The government has announced a new decision regarding the implementation of its no-fee stress policy, stating that first-year university students who are already in school will no longer receive direct refunds as earlier promised.

During the election campaign, then presidential candidate for the NDC, John Mahama, promised to absorb fees for all Level 100 students within the first 120 days of assuming office.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu reaffirmed this commitment during his vetting, stating that the government would ensure refunds were issued to students who had already paid for the 2025 academic year.

“We intend to provide that money to the affected universities, at least to make refunds to all those who have already paid those fees,” he said.

However, despite the allocation of GHS499.8 million for the policy’s implementation, the government has now ruled out issuing direct refunds for this academic year.

Speaking on JoyNews’ NewsNight, Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Apaak explained that instead of receiving cash reimbursements, students’ accounts will be credited towards their second-year fees.

“The same students are going to be continuing. Rather than the physical reimbursement, going forward, as they go into their second year, what should have come to them to defer their academic fee for the first year will become a credit, which will then mean that as they go to second year, they wouldn’t have to pay because they have already paid for their first year,” Dr Apaak said.

He emphasised that, for accountability reasons, the funds would be disbursed directly to the universities, not the students.

“This approach helps us avoid logistical challenges and any potential impropriety,” he added.

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