Students Loan Trust Fund

What Students Loan Trust Fund does

Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) is a Ghanaian statutory public trust fund established in 2005 under the Trustee Incorporation Act 1962 (Act 106) and operating under the SLTF Act 2011 (Act 820), positioned as an agency of the Ministry of Education. It administers need-based, zero-processing-fee student loans to Ghanaian tertiary students enrolled at accredited institutions, replacing the former SSNIT Students Loan Scheme from the 2006/2007 academic year. Its mandate is anchored in Articles 25 and 38 of Ghana's 1992 Constitution, with funding sourced from government allocations and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

The operating model rests on a multi-portal digital platform: a Student Application Portal (application.sltf.gov.gh), a Repayment Portal, an Employer Portal enforcing Section 24 compliance, a No Fees Stress Portal for government no-fee-policy reimbursements, and a Tertiary Institutions Portal (TIP). This is supported by iOS and Android mobile apps, USSD code *827# for repayment, and a partner-bank network (GCB, NIB, ADB, GT Bank, EcoBank, Ghana.gov, PayAngel for diaspora). Distribution is reinforced by 14 zonal offices and campus-level Loan Relationship Officers embedded across Ghana's tertiary institutions. Loan terms include a 2-year post-graduation repayment holiday, up to 10-year repayment, no collateral, and write-off on death or permanent incapacitation.

Recent strategic moves include the 2021 No Guarantor Policy and Bank of Ghana Credit Reporting System integration, the 2020 Laptop/Smartphone scheme, 2025 extension to law students and to Persons with Disability, and the 2025/26 No Academic Fees Policy reimbursement program. Leadership transitioned to Dr. Saajida Shiraz in 2025. Revenue mechanics are non-commercial: SLTF collects repayments through employer deductions (SSNIT, CAGD), partner banks, mobile money, USSD, and diaspora channels, with disclosed recovery of GH¢2,064,826.12 (43.4%) in the first full operational year (2012) and 6,000+ students disbursed in 2013/14.

Name

Students Loan Trust Fund

Legal name

Students Loan Trust Fund

Website

https://sltf.gov.gh

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) is a Ghanaian statutory trust fund under the Ministry of Education that provides zero-fee, need-based student loans to Ghanaian tertiary students, operating a multi-portal digital loan platform, USSD repayment (*827#), 14 zonal offices, and partner-bank and employer deduction channels for end-to-end loan lifecycle management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Financing / Student Lending

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Loan Programs & Servicers (Public/Nonprofit) (EDADAHAE)

Keywords

• Student loan financing
• Tertiary education loans
• Government trust fund
• Education financing agency
• Loan disbursement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Student Loan Disbursement and Repayment: SLTF operates as a public trust fund under the Ministry of Education that provides student loans to Ghanaian tertiary students. The organization collects repayments from borrowers after graduation through various payment channels including employer deductions, mobile money, bank payments, and USSD. Revenue is generated through loan recovery rates rather than traditional revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SLTF provides need-based student loans to Ghanaian tertiary students pursuing accredited programs at accredited institutions, covering tuition, books, accommodation, living expenses, and (under the Laptop/Smartphone Scheme) devices. Loans carry no processing fees, no collateral, and (since 2021) no guarantor requirement, with a 2-year repayment holiday after graduation and up to 10-year repayment terms, and write-off upon death or total permanent incapacitation. The fund also administers the government's No Academic Fees Policy reimbursements via the No-Fees-Stress Portal, the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability program, and partners with employers under Section 24 of Act 820 for repayment deductions.

Product overview

Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) is a Ghanaian government agency under the Ministry of Education that provides student loans for tertiary education. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected digital platforms and loan products: the core Students Loan product for undergraduate and professional students, supported by multiple online portals (Student Application Portal, Repayment Portal, Employer Portal, Tertiary Institutions Portal, No Fees Stress Portal), mobile applications, and specialized loan variants (PRC Students Loan for continuing students, Students Loan Plus for law students, Laptop/Smartphone Scheme). The ecosystem enables end-to-end loan lifecycle management from application through disbursement to repayment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Students Loan (Core Product) Core need-based student loan product for Ghanaian tertiary students at accredited institutions. Covers tuition, books, accommodation, and living expenses. No processing fee, no collateral, and (since 2021) no guarantor required. Loan amounts determined by a Means Testing Instrument. 2-year repayment holiday after graduation, up to 10-year repayment term, with write-off on death or total permanent incapacitation.
• No Academic Fees Policy Reimbursement Service Government's No Academic Fees Policy reimbursement service managed through the No-Fees-Stress Portal, allowing tertiary students to check application status and receive fee reimbursements under the national policy initiative.
• Student Loan Application Portal Online platform at application.sltf.gov.gh for students to create accounts, submit loan applications, check application status, access loan statements, and amend personal details. Handles end-to-end application workflow from submission through disbursement approval.
• Tertiary Institutions Portal (TIP) Portal enabling accredited tertiary institutions to submit student lists, verify enrollment status, and coordinate with SLTF for loan disbursement processing.
• Employer Portal Portal for employers to manage employee student loan repayments and ensure compliance with Section 24 of SLTF Act 820 (2011), including ascertaining beneficiary status and processing deductions.
• SLTF Mobile App Mobile application available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store enabling students and borrowers to apply for loans, access loan statements, and make repayments via smartphone.
• USSD Loan Repayment Service (*827#) USSD-based mobile repayment service via short code *827# allowing borrowers to make instant loan repayments without internet or smartphone access.
• PRC Students Loan Prior Continuing Students Loan designed to assist continuing loan beneficiaries complete their impending registration ahead of receiving semester disbursement to prevent deferral or dropout.
• Students Loan Plus Extended student loan product covering professional programs, including law students at the Ghana School of Law, beyond standard undergraduate programs.
• Laptop/Smartphone Scheme Device financing included as part of the student loan amount, allowing students to request laptops or smartphones for academic purposes.
• Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability Program Government-supported program offering free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, administered by SLTF in coordination with the Ministry of Education.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43.4% loan recovery rate exceeded target of 40% in first full year of operations (2012)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and standard.

• Zakat and Sadaqa Trust Fund (Z&STF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2015Islamic charity organization under the Moslem Caucus in Parliament of Ghana that guarantees loans for Muslim students pursuing tertiary education. Takes advantage of the opening up of guarantee options by SLTF to reduce barriers to student financing. Launched October 8, 2015 under patronage of Hon. Minister of Education.
• GN BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 April 2015Repayment partnership launched April 22, 2015 at Coconut Grove Hotel, Accra. GN Bank serves as distribution channel for loan repayments, increasing convenience for borrowers and improving collection efficiency. The partnership was launched under the auspices of the Minister of Education.
• Ministry of Education (Ghana)flagshipOthersSLTF operates as an agency under the Ministry of Education. The Ministry provides oversight, policy guidance, and coordinates government initiatives including the No Academic Fees Policy and Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability program.
• SSNIT (Social Security and National Insurance Trust)coreOthersSSNIT previously administered the student loan scheme before SLTF took over in 2006/2007 academic year. SSNIT continues to provide verification services and collaboration on loan recovery through employer pension deductions.
• Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGCB serves as partner bank for loan repayments through SMART PAY system. GCB is one of the primary banking channels through which borrowers can make repayments.
• National Investment Bank (NIB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNIB serves as partner bank for loan repayments through SPECIAL SLTF PAY IN SLIP system. One of the original partner banks for loan collection.
• ADB (Agricultural Development Bank)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorADB serves as partner bank for loan repayments, providing additional banking channel for borrowers to make payments.
• GT BankstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGT Bank serves as partner bank for loan repayments, offering another channel option for borrowers.
• Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS)coreTechnology or IntegrationGhIPSS provides payment infrastructure enabling digital payment processing for loan disbursements and repayments, supporting the cashless agenda.
• National Identification Authority (NIA)coreTechnology or IntegrationNIA provides identity verification services to validate student identities and Ghana Card information during loan application processing.
• AAHEFA (Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies)standardStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAHEFA brings together Higher Education Financing Institutions across the African continent for sharing best practices, annual conferences, and professional development. SLTF participates in AGM and international conferences.
• Controller and Accountant General's Department (CAGD)coreTechnology or IntegrationGovernment department that processes salary payments and deductions for public sector employees, enabling employer-based loan repayment deductions for public servants who are loan beneficiaries.
• PayAngelstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayment platform for diaspora borrowers to make loan repayments, enabling Ghanaians living abroad to support repayment of their loans.
• Ghana.govstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment digital payment platform that serves as an additional channel for loan repayments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ecobank Transnational Incorporated: Pan-African commercial bank that is both a partner bank for SLTF loan repayments and a provider of private education financing products across Ghana and West Africa.
• Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB Bank PLC): Ghana's largest state-linked commercial bank and a key SLTF repayment channel via SMART PAY; also offers private education loan products and broader retail/savings products to the same Ghanaian student and graduate segment.

Emerging players

• Prodigy Finance: Cross-border fintech lender focused on international master's/PhD students at top global universities. Indirect competitor for student financing mindshare, particularly for Ghanaian students considering overseas study, though not a domestic peer.
• Letshego Africa Holdings: Pan-African inclusive finance group with education loan products across multiple African markets. Adjacent competitor offering private-market alternatives to public student loan schemes like SLTF.

Regional players

• Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund): Ghana's flagship education trust fund that is itself a major capital provider to SLTF and operates complementary tertiary education financing and infrastructure programs in the same geography.

Direct peers

• Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB): Tanzania's statutory higher-education student loans board. Directly comparable to SLTF as a government-backed public trust fund providing need-based tertiary loans with employer-based repayment enforcement and a national zonal/campus footprint.
• National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS): South Africa's largest government student financial aid scheme, providing loans and bursaries to tertiary students from poor and working-class households. Comparable scale, mandate, and university/TVET college coverage to SLTF.
• Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB): Zambia's higher-education loans and scholarships board. Closely analogous public-mandate student financing agency for tertiary students, with comparable disbursement-to-recovery operating model in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Kenya: Kenya's statutory higher-education student loans board, operating under similar legislation with employer deduction, mobile, and bank repayment channels. Functionally the closest East African analog to SLTF.
• Student Loan Bureau (Jamaica): Jamaica's statutory tertiary student loan agency providing needs-based loans repayable via employer/NIS deductions, with a comparable mandate, recovery model, and technology-supported disbursement workflow to SLTF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sltf_ghana
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4Tg7aH869ldLej2l0bh9tA
• Facebookfacebook.com/promptloans
• Instagraminstagram.com/sltfghana
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/students-loan-trust-fund-ghana

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Students Loan Trust Fund