Introduction
Access to higher education in Ghana is often hindered by financial constraints, making it difficult for many students to achieve their academic dreams. Fortunately, various organizations have stepped up to provide financial assistance to students in need.
This blog post will explore some of these organizations, highlighting their mission, the types of assistance they offer, and the eligibility criteria for their programs.
Government Scholarship Schemes
The Ghanaian government offers several scholarship schemes to help students access tertiary education. These include:
The Ghana Scholarship Secretariat
The Ghana Scholarship Secretariat is a government agency that offers various scholarships to Ghanaian students. These scholarships cater to different levels of education, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational training.
The Secretariat’s scholarships are often need-based and merit-based, and they cover tuition, accommodation, and a stipend for living expenses.
The Tertiary Education Scholarship Trust (TEST)
The Tertiary Education Scholarship Trust (TEST) is a government-initiated scholarship scheme aimed at supporting needy students to access tertiary education.
The scheme provides full scholarships that cover tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic excellence.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Various NGOs in Ghana also provide financial assistance to students. These organizations often have specific focus areas, such as supporting girls in STEM or students with disabilities. Here are a few examples:
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is an initiative aimed at enabling young people in Africa to access quality education.
In Ghana, the program partners with various universities, including Ashesi University and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), to provide comprehensive scholarships to academically talented but economically disadvantaged students. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, books, and living expenses.
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grantmaking foundation that supports women’s organizations in Africa.
While not directly providing scholarships to individuals, AWDF funds various projects that promote girls’ education and women’s empowerment through education. Some of these projects include school fees support programs and capacity-building initiatives for women’s organizations focusing on education.
The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFI)
The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFI) is a global initiative that awards scholarships to exceptional individuals who are committed to leading change in their communities.
In Ghana, the program has supported several students in pursuing graduate studies in various fields, including education, human rights, and social justice. The fellowship covers tuition, travel expenses, and a living stipend.
Corporate Scholarships and Bursaries
Several corporations in Ghana also provide financial assistance to students in the form of scholarships and bursaries. These programs often target specific fields of study or communities and may have unique eligibility criteria. Examples include:
The MTN Ghana Foundation Scholarship Scheme
The MTN Ghana Foundation Scholarship Scheme supports needy but brilliant students in Ghana. The scholarship caters to undergraduate students in public tertiary institutions and covers tuition, accommodation, books, and a stipend for living expenses. Eligible fields of study include ICT, engineering, and medical sciences.
The HFC Bank Scholarship Scheme
The HFC Bank Scholarship Scheme is designed to support needy but brilliant students pursuing undergraduate degrees in accredited public tertiary institutions in Ghana.
The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a living allowance for the duration of the student’s course of study. Eligible fields of study include business administration, banking and finance, accounting, economics, actuarial science, marketing, insurance, and mathematics.
In conclusion, accessing quality education should not be a luxury reserved for the privileged few; it is a fundamental right for every individual. Financial constraints should not hinder the pursuit of academic dreams for Ghanaian students.
Fortunately, various organizations recognize this challenge and offer financial assistance to help bridge the gap between dreams and reality.
By exploring these opportunities carefully and diligently applying for them, many young people can access quality education and contribute positively to society’s development.
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