A wave of anxiety and frustration is spreading across the University of Ghana (UG) as students deal with a newly released provisional fee schedule that shows significant increases in academic expenses.
The large hikes, averaging over 25%, have led to urgent demands for the university management to explain the reasons behind such drastic financial changes.
The provisional figures, made public, highlight a harsh reality for both new freshmen and returning students just months before the new academic year starts.
Many are left wondering about their financial readiness as the effects of these increases loom large.
The College of Humanities, which usually has the largest student population at the university, seems especially impacted by these changes.
For example, Level 100 freshmen are expected to pay a staggering GH¢3,110, which is a 34% increase from last year’s GH¢2,319.
Continuing students in the same college will also feel the impact, with fees rising by 27% from GH¢1,777 to GH¢2,253.
The highly competitive University of Ghana School of Law is also affected by these trends. Incoming law students now face a higher bill of GH¢3,226, which is 33% more than last year’s GH¢2,435. Their continuing peers will see their fees increase from GH¢1,890 to GH¢2,396.
Upon reviewing the detailed fee breakdown, a major factor contributing to this troubling trend seems to be steep increases in third-party charges.
These additional fees, which were a manageable GH¢255 last year, have surged to GH¢767 for freshmen, marking an incredible 200% rise. Continuing students will now pay GH¢455.
The breakdown of these extra fees includes:
• SRC Hostel Development Levy: GH¢300
• 75th Anniversary Legacy Project: GH¢100
• Telecel Data Package (Freshers): GH¢312
• SRC Welfare Dues: GH¢50
• Reprographic Fees: GH¢5
The trend of rising fees is not limited to the College of Humanities and the School of Law. Other specialized faculties, such as the College of Health Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, and College of Education, have also seen increases of 25% to 35%.
The absence of prior notice regarding these fee changes has become a major issue for students.
A group of student representatives is calling on university officials to give clear reasons for these sudden hikes.
They caution that these financial pressures could create additional stress for students and their families.