How to Apply for “No Free Stress” Reimbursement for First-Year University Students

First-year university students in Ghana who gained admission into public tertiary institutions can now apply for the John Mahama “No Free Stress” Refund. The refund will be done directly into the bank accounts of the students who gained admission and enrolled onto programmes.

The refund aligns with the 2024 election campaign promise made by the then NDC presidential candidate, stating that if elected president, he would provide free semester one fees to all university students, ensuring that no student loses their chance to enrol in and access tertiary education.

Information reaching the Ghana Education News portal indicates that the government, through the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), has initiated processes to reimburse the fees of all first-year students in public tertiary institutions. The government has therefore outlined the application procedure for all qualified students.

This is confirmed by a letter released via the SLTF portal on May 12, 2025, which states that the Students Loan Trust Fund is ready to reimburse students for their semester 1 academic user fees under the “No Free Stress” initiative. All qualified students in public tertiary institutions who apply for the refund and meet the basic requirements will receive their reimbursed funds from June 2025 under this policy.

Who Qualifies to Apply for the “No Free Stress” Benefits?

“NO FREE STRESS” APPLICATION PORTAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

These terms and conditions govern the use of the “No Free Stress” Application Portal, which provides eligible students with access to financial support from the Government of Ghana through the Students Loan Trust Fund.

By using this portal, you acknowledge and certify that:

• You are a first-year student pursuing an accredited program in a public tertiary institution in Ghana.
• You will provide accurate and complete information during registration, including personal and academic details.
• Your information will be shared with the National Identification Authority (NIA) for data verification purposes.
• For disbursement purposes, you consent to the creation of a bank account with Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) if you do not already have one.
• You may be required to provide documentary evidence of the information provided in this application.

Data Protection

• SLTF and its affiliates will handle your data with confidentiality and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
• We will implement robust security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access or breaches.
• Your data will only be used for the purpose of processing your application and providing financial support through the intermediary bank.

General Provisions

• These terms and conditions will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
• SLTF reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time, with or without notice.
• Your access to the portal may be terminated if you provide false or misleading information, or if you fail to comply with these terms and conditions.

How to Contact the Students Loan Trust Fund If You Have Any Challenges

If you have any questions or concerns about these terms and conditions, please contact us at:

• Tel: 0302 231 886/7, 0264 043 072
• WhatsApp: 0504 021 579
• Call Centre: 0302 751 020
• Fax: 233 302 231 873
• Email: info@sltf.gov.gh

How to Capture and Provide the Correct Ghana Card Details

All applicants are required to provide their valid Ghana Card Number and capture a selfie for NIA Verification.

1. Ensure that your device camera is enabled to take a selfie for verification.
2. Capture the selfie in a well-lit area.
3. The selfie should show your full face in the space provided.
4. Avoid shadows on your face or blurry pictures.
5. Do not wear hats or dark glasses.

How to Apply for Your John Mahama “No Free Stress” Refund

Follow the steps below to apply for the refund.

All students should note that the approved web browser for the application is Google Chrome.

1. Visit the website https://nofeesstress.sltf.gov.gh/ or https://sltf.gov.gh.
2. On this portal, click on “Apply for NoFeesStress.”
3. Enter your valid Ghana Card number.
4. Verify your identity by clicking on “open camera” to take a selfie of your Ghana Card’s pages.
5. Fill in your personal details, such as name, age, date of birth, phone number, email, etc.
6. You will receive an OTP code, which you must confirm by entering it on the application portal.
7. Enter your public institution details, such as the name of the institution, program of study, etc.
8. Choose your bank name from the drop-down menu.
9. Enter your correct bank account number. If you do not have an account, you must create one before proceeding with the application.
10. Once the account number is submitted, check through the details and confirm they are accurate.
11. Click “submit” to send your application for processing. This will send your information to the SLTF and the Ministry of Education for the processing of your “No Free Stress” refund.
12. You can also download a copy of your application for your records.

READ: Empowering National Growth: Tertiary Institutions’ crucial role in TVET development

Parents, students, and persons in academi,a and the general public have welcomed the news about the No Free Stress Reimbursement announced, which will help refund fees paid by students and parents for level 100 students.