The University of Memphis has confirmed that Ghanaian students can continue living on campus after a million-dollar payment from their home country.
Earlier, the university had warned that students could lose scholarships, campus housing, and legal residency if outstanding fees were not settled by August 9, 2025, as reported by Ghana’s Graphic Online.
University President Dr. Bill Hardgrave believed that the delay in payment was due to Ghana’s political transition following the December 2024 elections.
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“I think there was a regime change in Ghana, and that affected the budget, but we’re hopeful that gets corrected because we’d love to keep those students on campus,” Hardgrave stated.
Last Friday, WMC reported that the university had received $1 million from Ghana.
This payment, however, does not cover the full outstanding balance of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS) program. The university said it only partially covers the $3.6 million debt owed under the GSS programme, and while there is an outstanding balance of $2.2 million, students can stay on campus for now.
It urged the West African country to meet its debt obligations to enable the students to continue their education through the fall semester.
Most of the affected students are studying science, engineering, and business programs. At a press conference in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on July 30, 2025, GSS Registrar Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei was optimistic that Ghanaian students “will not be deported,” stating that $400,000 had already been paid.
“We are now processing a $1 million payment,” he said, explaining that delays were due to an ongoing audit.
He noted that the funds are being sent through Ghana’s Controller and Accountant General’s Department and the Bank of Ghana for final transfer to Washington.
As the university waits for full payment, it has encouraged donations through its Gary Shorb International Student Support Fund to provide emergency aid.
