FGMSA Engages Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) On Medical Education Financing

The Federation of Ghana Medical Students’ Associations (FGMSA), on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, paid a courtesy call to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz. The purpose of the visit was to discuss issues relating to medical education financing, including the inclusion of Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) students in the Students Loan Plus Scheme.

The visit formed part of FGMSA’s broader stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at strengthening partnerships with key institutions whose work directly impacts the academic and professional development of medical and dental students in Ghana.

Welcoming the delegation led by the President of FGMSA, Samuel A. Issifu, Dr. Shiraz expressed her appreciation for the visit stating such engagements of this nature serve as important reminders of the Fund’s mandate and contribution to Ghana’s human capital development. She reaffirmed the Students Loan Trust Fund’s commitment to supporting students through innovative financing solutions and highlighted the Fund’s evolving role under Government’s No Fees Stress policy framework.

She provided an overview of key interventions currently being implemented by the Fund, including the No Academic Fees Stress initiative for first-year students in public tertiary institutions, Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Student Loan Plus for continuing students, and the enhanced Student Loan scheme designed to provide greater financial relief to students across the country.

During the engagement, the President of the Federation, Samuel A. Issifu, commended the Students Loan Trust Fund for its longstanding contribution to educational access and acknowledged the critical role the institution continues to play in helping thousands of Ghanaian students overcome financial barriers to tertiary education.

The Federation also highlighted the unique financial realities of medical education, noting that the extended duration of training, clinical requirements, educational resources, and other associated expenses often place significant financial demands on medical and dental students.

A key focus of the discussion centred on the current student loan framework and the accessibility of available financing options to medical students. FGMSA sought to better understand the policy, operational, and financial considerations that inform existing loan ceilings and explored possible pathways for future engagement on issues relating to medical education financing.

The discussions further addressed the position of students enrolled on the Graduate Entry Medical Programmes (GEMP), whose fee structures differ significantly from conventional undergraduate medical programmes. Dr. Shiraz explained that while the Student Loan Plus initiative has significantly expanded financing opportunities for many continuing students, accessibility remains

limited for certain categories of students, including those enrolled in the Graduate Entry Medical Programmes, whose fee structures are considerably higher than those of conventional undergraduate programmes.

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was an agreement between FGMSA and the Fund to collaborate on a sensitization and awareness initiative aimed at educating medical students on the various financing opportunities available through the Fund. The planned engagement will provide a platform for students across the country to interact directly with officials of the Fund, seek clarification on available products, and gain a better understanding of application procedures and eligibility requirements.

She assured FGMSA of the Fund’s readiness to support future student registration efforts through the establishment of Loan Clinics across medical schools during subsequent application periods. The initiative is expected to facilitate seamless registration and improve access to available financing opportunities for medical and dental students.

In addition, Dr. Shiraz informed the delegation about activities marking the twentieth anniversary of the Fund, including the SLTF @ 20 Song Competition.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to continued engagement on matters relating to medical education financing and student welfare. The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the evolving needs of students and ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder access to medical education.

Dr. Shiraz appreciated the courtesy visit and expressed her optimism about a fruitful partnership with the Federation of Ghana Medical Students’ Associations (FGMSA), describing the engagement as a significant step toward deepening institutional relations and enhancing support systems for medical and dental students across Ghana.