The 181 Ghanaian students are said to be at the University of Memphis, pictured above
A total of 181 Ghanaian students studying at the University of Memphis under the Ghana Government Scholarship Scheme face an educational crisis as the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat (GSS) owes the University $3.6 million in unpaid tuition and housing fees.
According to internal student sources, only $400,000 has been paid by GSS — representing just one-ninth (1/9) of the total debt.
This significant shortfall has triggered urgent warnings from the university administration, threatening students’ continued enrollment and housing.
In a formal notice dated June 2, the university disclosed that GSS has not paid tuition and fees for Fall 2024 or Spring 2025, and has failed to settle summer housing charges.
“If they are unable to fulfill this payment, you will be responsible for the charges,” wrote Brian Rock, a university administrator.
The letter further warned that students enrolled in summer courses would be dropped by June 3, and Fall 2025 registrations will be canceled if balances remain unpaid by July 11.
Additionally, students with outstanding balances have been told they must either pay for summer housing themselves, with a minimum of one-third of the housing cost due by June 20, another one-third by July 11, and the remaining balance by July 31, or vacate campus housing by June 20, 2025, while remaining liable for accrued charges.
In another notice from the housing office, the university emphasised; “Please beware that if you receive the Ghana Secretariat Scholarship, all finances will need to be cleared with USBS before moving in,” highlighting the risk of losing housing for the Fall 2025–Spring 2026 academic year.
The leader of the Ghanaian student cohort, Fredrick Badu-Asamoah, expressed deep frustration.
“This situation is heartbreaking. We’re not here on personal funds — we’re here representing the Republic of Ghana. We’ve written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Embassy in Washington, the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, and efforts to reach the Presidency proved futile, and we’ve received no decisive intervention,” he said.
The students, all sponsored by the government of Ghana, now face possible expulsion from school, loss of campus jobs, accommodation, and loss of immigration status if the government does not intervene by July 11.
One affected student, speaking anonymously, said: “We’ve worked so hard to get here. Now, everything we’ve built is in jeopardy — not because of our actions, but due to the government’s failure to fulfill its commitment.”
Carl Engmann, also one of the leaders, has called on President John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat to immediately intervene to settle the outstanding debt and restore hope to depressed Ghanaian students.
With the July 11 payment deadline approaching and only 1/9 of the total $3.6 million debt paid, the future of 181 Ghanaian scholars in the U.S. remains in grave danger.
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