News Summary
The University of Memphis could potentially dismiss 185 Ghanaian students due to a shortfall in scholarship funds from the Republic of Ghana. With only $400,000 received out of the $3.6 million owed, students face the risk of losing their academic status and essential support services if the financial issues are not resolved soon. The GSS, which was supposed to cover tuition costs under a 2023 agreement, has delayed payments, placing pressure on the students and the university as registration deadlines loom.
Memphis—The University of Memphis (U of M) is facing a potential academic crisis as 185 Ghanaian students could be dismissed due to unpaid scholarship funds from the Republic of Ghana. As of July 11, the uncertainty looms over these students who rely on the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS) for funding their tuition and fees.
The GSS was established under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023, which aimed to facilitate the education of Ghanaian students studying abroad by covering their expenses. Currently, the university has reported that it has only received $400,000 out of the $3.6 million owed for these students, creating a significant financial gap and threatening their ability to enroll in fall semester classes.
Without the expected payments from the GSS, the university has informed the students that they may attend classes only if they manage to secure alternative funding or are able to pay their tuition fees out of pocket. However, for many students, this could prove to be a daunting challenge given the financial constraints they may face.
If the GSS does not meet its financial obligations, the consequences for the affected students could be severe. They risk being dismissed from their academic programs, which could further lead to complications with their student visas. Dismissal could also result in the loss of housing and essential support services provided by the university, all due to circumstances outside their control.
University officials had expressed optimism earlier in the week that the payments would arrive in time to avert these issues. Unfortunately, lack of payment has placed students in a precarious position, and they had until July 11 to settle any outstanding balances. After this date, the university has stated that students would have their fall course registrations terminated, and registration holds would be placed on their accounts.
As it stands, students from Ghana may face dismissal by August 9, 2025, should the financial problems remain unresolved. This timetable raises concerns not only regarding their academic standing but also about their legal status in the United States, as maintaining full-time student status is crucial for upholding their visa conditions.
This situation highlights the difficulties that come with international education programs and the critical importance of timely funding from governmental bodies. The U of M has emphasized that receiving funds from the GSS on schedule was an expected outcome of the agreement made in 2023, and the current payment shortfall is not in line with those expectations.
As the university and affected students await resolution, there is a pressing need for ongoing communication between the U of M and the Republic of Ghana to rectify the situation. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for the future of the 185 Ghanaian students who find themselves in this precarious position as classes approach.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
University of Memphis Faces Funding Crisis for Ghanaian Students
Ghanaian Students at University of Memphis Face Academic Dismissal
Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: University of Memphis Ghana Students Scholarship
- Wikipedia: Scholarship
- Local Memphis: Ghanaian UofM Students Dismissed
- Google Search: University of Memphis students scholarship
- WREG: U of M Ghanaian Students At Risk
- Encyclopedia Britannica: International Education
- Modern Ghana: Funding Issues for Ghanaian Students
- Google News: Ghana students University of Memphis
- Asaase Radio: University of Memphis Could Expel Students
- Google Scholar: Ghana scholarship
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
