The Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) is the government body that awards local tertiary and foreign bilateral scholarships to brilliant but needy Ghanaian students. It replaced the former Scholarships Secretariat and runs multiple application windows each year — the 2026/2027 Local Tertiary cycle ran 20 April–20 May 2026, while bilateral awards (like the Algeria/Ghana scheme) close on separate dates. Applicants need Ghanaian citizenship and admission to a recognised tertiary institution. Below: the full eligibility criteria, required documents, and step-by-step application process for 2027.
Quick Answer: The Ghana Scholarships Authority awards government scholarships in two main routes — Local Tertiary (for students in Ghanaian public universities, colleges of education, and nursing training colleges) and Foreign Bilateral (government-to-government awards in countries like Algeria). Awards target brilliant but needy Ghanaians and typically cover tuition and approved academic costs. Apply at scholarships.gov.gh; the 2026/2027 Local Tertiary window ran 20 April–20 May 2026.
GSA Scholarship at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Ghana Scholarships Authority (formerly the Scholarships Secretariat) |
| Level of Study | Undergraduate (local) & Postgraduate (foreign/bilateral) |
| Routes | Local Tertiary · Foreign Bilateral · Merit/Specialist awards |
| Target Group | Brilliant but needy Ghanaian citizens (the Authority’s stated mandate) |
| Funding Type | Government scholarship — local awards typically cover tuition and approved academic costs, and may cover part or all of accommodation; bilateral awards are often fully funded per the partner-country agreement |
| Eligible Nationalities | Ghanaian citizens only |
| Key Requirement | Admission to a recognised tertiary institution (local) or SHS results/admission per the specific bilateral call |
| Deadline | Varies by scheme. 2026/2027 Local Tertiary: 20 April–20 May 2026. Algeria bilateral 2026/2027: closed 21 September 2026. Each call has its own window. |
| Official Portal | scholarships.gov.gh |
| Contact | 0302 907 051 / 0302 907 058 · info@scholarships.gov.gh |
What Is the Ghana Scholarships Authority?
The Ghana Scholarships Authority is the government agency responsible for administering state-funded scholarships to Ghanaian students. Formerly known as the Scholarships Secretariat (“Scholsec”), the Authority operates under a clear mandate: to award scholarships to brilliant but needy Ghanaians, strengthen tertiary participation, and support national human-capital development.
Unlike GETFund — which is funded by a dedicated levy — GSA awards are funded through the national budget and through bilateral agreements between Ghana and partner governments. That second channel is what many applicants miss: GSA doesn’t just fund study in Ghana; it administers government-to-government awards tenable in countries like Algeria, with more partner schemes announced through the year on its opportunities page.
What Does the GSA Scholarship Cover?
Coverage depends on the route and the specific award notice:
Local Tertiary Awards
- 💰 Tuition fees and approved academic costs
- 🏠 Accommodation — may be covered in part or in full, depending on the award
- 📚 Coverage of additional costs varies by cycle and award letter
Foreign Bilateral Awards
These follow the terms of each government-to-government agreement and are frequently fully funded. For reference, Ghana government bilateral scholarships administered through this office have historically covered:
- 💰 Full tuition and fees (including health insurance where applicable)
- 📚 Textbook allowance
- 🏠 Accommodation allowance
- 💵 Living allowance per the bilateral agreement
⚠️ Each bilateral call (Algeria, and others as announced) carries its own benefit package in the official notice. Always read the specific opportunity page on scholarships.gov.gh rather than assuming a standard package — bilateral terms differ by partner country.
GSA Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Requirements vary slightly by scheme, but the core criteria are:
- Nationality: Ghanaian citizen. For bilateral awards, you must typically be resident in Ghana as well.
- Admission (Local Tertiary): Enrolled in or admitted to a recognised Ghanaian public tertiary institution — universities, colleges of education, nursing training colleges, and technical universities.
- Academic merit + need: GSA’s mandate is “brilliant but needy” — both academic standing and demonstrated financial need are assessed. This is not a pure merit award.
- Academic results (bilateral): For undergraduate bilateral awards like the Algeria scheme, applicants must have completed Senior High School with current results (the 2026/2027 Algeria call required 2025 WASSCE results).
- Interview stage: Shortlisted Local Tertiary applicants attend interviews — for the 2026/2027 cycle, interviews ran nationwide from 4 August 2026. Budget for this stage; selection is not decided on documents alone.
Required Documents (Checklist)
- Ghanaian citizenship proof (Ghana Card, passport, or birth certificate)
- Admission letter or proof of enrolment (Local Tertiary) / WASSCE results (bilateral undergraduate calls)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Passport-sized photograph
- Personal statement
- Evidence of financial need (as specified in the call — e.g., supporting declarations)
- Any scheme-specific items listed in the individual opportunity notice [check each call on scholarships.gov.gh/opportunities]
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Identify the right call.
GSA runs multiple schemes with different windows. Check scholarships.gov.gh/opportunities and match yourself to the correct one (Local Tertiary vs. a named bilateral award) before starting — applying under the wrong scheme wastes your one window. Common mistake: waiting for “the GSA scholarship” to open — there is no single window; each scheme opens separately.
Step 2 — Register on the portal.
Create your account at the application portal (apply.scholarships.gov.gh) with an email and phone number you actively use. Interview invitations go through these channels.
Step 3 — Complete the form accurately.
Names, index numbers, and programme details must match your institutional records exactly — mismatches fail verification against your university’s records.
Step 4 — Upload documents.
Use the checklist above; scan clearly and respect file-size limits.
Step 5 — Submit before the deadline and keep your reference.
GSA explicitly states late submissions are not considered — the 2026/2027 Local Tertiary cycle closed strictly on 20 May 2026.
Step 6 — Prepare for the interview.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed nationwide. Expect questions on your financial circumstances, academic goals, and programme choice. Bring originals of every uploaded document.
GSA Deadline & Timeline 2027
Each scheme has its own window. Confirmed recent dates:
| Scheme | Cycle | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Local Tertiary | 2026/2027 | 20 April – 20 May 2026 |
| Local Tertiary interviews | 2026/2027 | From 4 August 2026 (nationwide) |
| Algeria/Ghana bilateral | 2026/2027 | Closed 21 September 2026 |
| Local Tertiary (prior cycle) | 2025/2026 | Closed 1 December 2025 |
For 2027: Monitor scholarships.gov.gh from January 2027. Based on recent patterns, expect the Local Tertiary window between April and May, and bilateral calls scattered through the year — some windows are only 2–4 weeks, so check weekly.
Tips to Strengthen Your GSA Application
- Document your need as carefully as your merit. GSA’s mandate is explicitly “brilliant but needy” — an excellent academic record with a vague need statement loses to a good record with a well-evidenced one.
- Apply in the first week of the window. Portals get congested near deadlines, and GSA does not accept late submissions — full stop.
- Match your details to your institution’s records exactly. Your application is verified against university records; a mismatched index number or programme name ends it.
- Treat the interview as decisive. For Local Tertiary, interviews are a formal stage with nationwide panels — prepare to speak plainly about your finances, your course, and why you chose it.
- Watch for bilateral calls, not just the local one. Bilateral awards (Algeria and others) are less competitive because fewer Ghanaians know about them — and some are fully funded.
- Keep your phone line and email active through August–September. Interview invitations for the 2026/2027 cycle went out around late July/August.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GSA scholarship the same as GETFund?
No. They are separate government schemes. GSA (scholarships.gov.gh) administers local tertiary and foreign bilateral scholarships targeting brilliant but needy students, funded via the national budget and partner-government agreements. GETFund is a separate statutory fund with its own portal and Local/Foreign tracks. You can explore both — but each has its own application, criteria, and windows.
Who qualifies for the Ghana Scholarships Authority local tertiary scholarship?
Ghanaian citizens admitted to or enrolled in recognised public tertiary institutions in Ghana — universities, colleges of education, nursing training colleges, and technical universities — who can demonstrate both academic ability and financial need. Shortlisted applicants must also pass a nationwide interview stage before awards are confirmed.
When do GSA applications open for 2027?
There is no single opening date — each scheme runs its own window. The 2026/2027 Local Tertiary cycle ran 20 April–20 May 2026, and bilateral calls (like Algeria’s) open and close on separate dates through the year. Check scholarships.gov.gh weekly from January 2027; some windows last only 2–4 weeks.
Is the GSA scholarship fully funded?
It depends on the route. Local Tertiary awards typically cover tuition and approved academic costs, and may cover part or all of accommodation. Foreign bilateral awards follow each partner-country agreement and are often fully funded — historically covering full tuition and fees, textbook and accommodation allowances, and living support. Read the specific call notice for the exact package.
What is the difference between the Local Tertiary and Foreign Bilateral routes?
Local Tertiary funds study within Ghana at public tertiary institutions and involves an interview stage. Foreign Bilateral awards are government-to-government schemes tenable abroad (e.g., Algeria), with eligibility tied to each call — undergraduate bilateral calls typically require recent WASSCE results and Ghanaian residency. You apply to a specific named call, not a general pool.
Do I need an admission letter to apply for GSA?
For Local Tertiary, yes — you need admission or current enrolment at a recognised public tertiary institution. For undergraduate bilateral awards, recent SHS/WASSCE results are typically the core requirement (the Algeria 2026/2027 call required 2025 results), with placement handled through the bilateral arrangement. Each call notice states its own requirement.
Can I apply for both GSA and GETFund?
The schemes don’t prohibit you from applying to both, and many students do. However, holding two full government scholarships simultaneously for the same programme is generally not permitted — if both come through, expect to choose one, and disclose existing funding in any application.
What happens at the GSA interview?
Shortlisted Local Tertiary applicants attend in-person interviews held nationwide (the 2026/2027 interviews began 4 August 2026). Panels typically probe your financial circumstances, academic performance, and programme choice, and verify your original documents. Bring originals of everything you uploaded — document mismatches at interview are a common disqualification point.
The Ghana Scholarships Authority 2027 cycle offers Ghanaian students two distinct funding routes — Local Tertiary support and often-overlooked fully funded bilateral awards abroad. Monitor scholarships.gov.gh from January, apply early in whichever window fits you, and prepare for the interview stage as seriously as the paperwork.
Last updated: September 2026 · Reviewed by [Author Name], [credentials]
Keep reading: Scholarships for Ghanaian Students: The Complete Guide (2027) → hub page | GETFund Scholarship 2027 guide → · [internal link: how to write a scholarship study plan → study-plan guide]