An outstanding debt of nearly $4 million owed by Ghana has put the studies of nearly 100 Ghanaian students at the University of Memphis in the United States at risk.

The students, who are beneficiaries of the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat’s programme, have been stopped from enrolling for the new academic term until alternative arrangements are made to settle their tuition fees.

According to a report by citinewsroom.com on Monday, August 31, 2026, the University of Memphis has ended its scholarship partnership with Ghana after payment issues remained unresolved.

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The development comes as the university prepares to begin its fall semester, leaving the affected students under pressure to secure funding to continue their education.

The university said Ghana’s debt stood at $3.6 million as of July 2025. Ghana later made payments, including two $1 million payments in August 2025, but the outstanding amount subsequently increased.

The President of the University of Memphis, Bill Hardgrave, had earlier linked the payment challenges to Ghana’s change in government and its impact on the country’s budget.

The university said the students were not responsible for the debt but had now been placed in a difficult situation.

“Through no fault of their own, these students have unexpectedly become responsible for securing their academic future,” the university said.

It warned that the students could face academic dismissal, immigration problems and the possible loss of accommodation and other support if the matter is not resolved.

The university said it had presented options that could allow the students to remain on campus and complete their programmes.

The scholarship partnership was established in 2023 following an initiative involving the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Under the agreement, up to 70 percent of the scholarships were reserved for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes, while the remaining opportunities focused on graduate business programmes.

The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat has previously attributed the payment delays to an ongoing audit and administrative processes involving state institutions responsible for transferring the funds.

The students have reportedly performed well, with an average cumulative GPA of 3.75. However, those who fail to maintain full-time enrolment could also face problems with their international student status.

The University of Memphis said it was working with the affected students to find possible solutions that would allow them to remain in the United States and complete their studies.

ANAS/MA

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