You can fund university in Ghana through three main routes: the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), which lends to any Ghanaian in an accredited tertiary programme; government scholarships through GETFund and the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat; and institutional or private scholarships run by universities and donors. Each has its own eligibility and application, and you can often combine a loan with a scholarship.
Updated January 2026. Published by websitesgh.com.
Who can get a student loan in Ghana?
The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) is the main student-loan body. Any Ghanaian student in an accredited tertiary institution studying an accredited programme can apply (Source: Students Loan Trust Fund, sltf.gov.gh). Its mission is to provide timely, accessible and affordable financing so that access to tertiary education is more equitable. Interest is charged at a low rate, influenced by inflation, and it is in your interest to repay early to keep the cost down (Source: SLTF, 2025). This pairs well with the subsidised fees at public universities, covered in our university fees guide.
How do I apply for the SLTF loan?
You apply as a registered student with a few key items in place. The typical requirements are an E-zwich account linked to your bank account, your Social Security (SSNIT) number, your student ID and admission letter, two passport photographs, and one personal guarantor (Source: SLTF requirements, 2025). The guarantor must be a Ghanaian and fall into an approved category, most commonly an active SSNIT contributor who has paid for at least 36 months, is not over 53, and has not already guaranteed for more than one person; alternatives include a recognised religious body, a Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly, or a corporate body (Source: SLTF, 2025). Forms are completed in black ink and block letters, fingerprinted at a SSNIT office, and submitted to your campus SLTF office.
What government scholarships are available?
Two government bodies run scholarships. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) offers undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to Ghanaian students, applied for through its scholarship portal (Source: GETFund, getfund.gov.gh, 2026). The Ghana Scholarship Secretariat administers government-funded scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study both in Ghana and abroad, publishing guidelines, eligibility and deadlines on its portal (Source: Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, scholarships.gov.gh). Both are competitive and deadline-driven, so watch the portals and apply early with complete documents; GETFund, for example, sets firm deadlines to accept an award or forfeit it (Source: GETFund, 2026).
What about institutional and private scholarships?
Many universities and donors fund students directly. Private universities such as Ashesi run scholarship programmes for brilliant but needy students (Source: FinexInsights, 2025), and donor-backed programmes at several universities support high-potential students who could not otherwise afford the fees. Check each university’s financial-aid or admissions office for its own bursaries, work-study and merit awards, and search for subject-specific or corporate scholarships in your field. These can be combined with an SLTF loan to close the gap.
How should I plan my funding?
TRY THIS TODAY: build your funding stack in this order.
- Estimate the full cost. Tuition plus residence and living costs, using our fees guide.
- Apply for scholarships first. They do not need repaying, so chase GETFund, the Scholarship Secretariat and institutional awards early.
- Line up a guarantor for the SLTF loan. Sort the guarantor and E-zwich account before the deadline; this is where most applications stall.
- Cover the rest deliberately. Use the loan for the remaining gap, and plan to repay early to reduce interest.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the Students Loan Trust Fund?
Any Ghanaian student enrolled in an accredited programme at an accredited tertiary institution can apply, subject to meeting the documentary and guarantor requirements (Source: SLTF, 2025).
Do I need a guarantor for the SLTF loan?
Yes, one personal guarantor is required, most often an active SSNIT contributor who meets the age and contribution conditions, or an approved body such as a religious organisation, an assembly or a corporate body (Source: SLTF, 2025).
How do I apply for a government scholarship in Ghana?
Through the GETFund scholarship portal or the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat portal, both of which publish eligibility, guidelines and deadlines. Applications are competitive and time-limited (Source: GETFund; Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, 2026).
Can I get a scholarship and a loan at the same time?
Often, yes. A scholarship that covers part of your costs can be combined with an SLTF loan for the remainder. Confirm the terms of each, as some awards have conditions.
See the wider picture in our guide to universities in Ghana, or compare public vs private universities.
