All first-year tertiary students to receive full refund of fees – Haruna Iddrisu (Education Minister Designate)

All first-year tertiary students to receive full refund of fees paid during the 2024-2025 admission carried out by public institutions this year.
The Education Minister-Designate for Ghana, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, at his vetting, disclosed that the NDC-led government will ensure students receive full refunds of their first semester fees paid as part of their admission requirements under the free tuition policy for first-year university students.
The first-year tertiary students full fees refund has been welcomed by students and parents per the reactions sighted on social media.
The free tuition policy for first-year university students was one of the key policies announced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the pre-December 7th elections.
The policy is one of the many tailored towards students in the tertiary level to lessen the initial fee burden of parents whose children graduate from the SHS and gain admission into the various public tertiary institutions.
When the policy is rolled out, it is expected that it will help alleviate financial burdens on students and their families and also promote broader access to higher education in Ghana.
According to Iddrisu, approximately ₵345 million will be required to fund this initiative, with the funds being disbursed directly to the universities to ensure refunds are processed efficiently. This move is in line with pledges made during the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) 2024 election campaign to enhance educational opportunities and equity.
The modalities to be followed when the refund is initiated are not currently available. However, Ghanaians have reacted to the news with many calling for the funds to be kept with the institutions to be used to take care of the fees of the students in their subsequent years instead of directly refunding to the students.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 election manifesto aimed at improving tertiary education in Ghana:
Below are the promises of the NDC for tertiary education along with the policy that will trigger the first-year tertiary full fees refund.
No-Academic-Fees Policy for First-Year Students: The NDC promised to introduce a policy where first-year students in all public tertiary institutions, including universities, technical universities, colleges of education, and nursing training colleges, would not have to pay academic fees. This was part of their “No-Fees-Stress” initiative, aiming to reduce financial strain on students and families right from the start of their higher education journey.
Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities: The manifesto included a commitment to provide free tertiary education to all persons with disabilities, ensuring that education is accessible to all.
Bed-for-All Programme: They planned to implement a program to build on-campus, affordable student hostels and expand accommodation facilities through Public-Private Partnerships to ensure all students have access to housing.
Support for Continuing Students: Beyond the first year, the NDC promised to continue supporting students through financial assistance programs. This included revamping the Student Loan Trust Fund to increase loan amounts based on needs assessment and ensuring prompt disbursements. They also aimed to introduce legislation for better management of government scholarships to avoid misuse and ensure they reach those who need them most.
Tertiary Endowment Funds (TEF): The party proposed promoting the establishment of Tertiary Endowment Funds in partnership with alumni, philanthropists, and corporate Ghana to support students in public tertiary universities financially.
Enhancing Infrastructure: The manifesto outlined plans for emergency infrastructure development to complete abandoned educational projects and expand facilities in tertiary institutions, ensuring better learning environments.
Promoting Digital Access: They committed to expanding Wi-Fi access for students at public secondary and tertiary institutions across the country, recognising the importance of digital literacy and connectivity in modern education.
READ: Free Tertiary Education for Freshmen Clarified by NDC’s Sammy Gyamfi
Review of Scholarship Administration: The NDC manifesto also talked about reviewing how scholarships are awarded to make the process more transparent, fair, and aligned with national development needs, including banning scholarships for government officials.
These policies reflect the NDC’s vision for a more accessible, equitable, and quality-driven tertiary education system in Ghana. They aimed to make significant strides in education by reducing financial barriers, improving infrastructure, and ensuring inclusivity in higher education opportunities.