Funding ready to support pupils and students

As the 2026-2027 academic year begins, a range of loan programs for pupils and students in Dong Nai City is being implemented, including the loan program for those in difficult circumstances and the credit program for those pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Vo Trong Hoa, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) - Dong Nai City Branch, said approximately 385 billion VND is expected to be disbursed this academic year under the loan program for pupils and students in difficult circumstances, with funding ready for disbursement.

An employee of the VBSP - Dong Nai City Branch disburses policy credit funds to a family with a child attending school in Thanh Bien Hamlet, Loc Thanh Commune.

Providing a support pillar for pupils and students

With the new academic year underway, in addition to tuition fees, many families must cover the costs of books, study materials, living expenses, and transportation for their children. These expenses place additional pressure on pupils and students studying far from home, particularly those from families in difficult circumstances.

The credit policy for pupils and students in difficult circumstances is implemented in accordance with the Prime Minister's Decision No. 157/2007/QD-TTg dated September 27, 2007, as amended and supplemented by Decision No. 05/2022/QD-TTg dated March 23, 2022. The policy aims to support pupils and students in difficult circumstances who are studying at educational institutions within the national education system.

Eligible borrowers include pupils and students who have lost both parents or who have lost one parent while the other is unable to work; pupils and students from poor households, near-poor households, or households with average living standards; and pupils and students whose families encounter financial difficulties due to accidents, illness, natural disasters, fires, or epidemics during their studies, as certified by the People's Committee of their commune of residence. The current maximum loan amount is 4 million VND per month per pupil or student.

In Dong Nai, the program continues to be implemented in the 2026-2027 academic year. According to Vo Trong Hoa, the VBSP - Dong Nai City Branch expects to disburse approximately 385 billion VND under the program this academic year.

The loan has enabled student Nguyen Khac Tuan, from Vinh An Hamlet, Tri An Ward, to complete three-quarters of his university studies in Ho Chi Minh City. "With the monthly loan, I worry less about tuition and can focus better on my studies," said Tuan.

Alongside the credit program for pupils and students in difficult circumstances, pupils and students pursuing STEM fields can access a dedicated credit program under the Prime Minister's Decision No. 29/2025/QD-TTg dated August 28, 2025.

The policy applies to pupils and students, master's students, and doctoral candidates studying STEM fields at higher education institutions and vocational education institutions within the national education system. For first-year students, academic performance is determined according to one of two criteria: achieving a rating of "Good" or higher in all three years of high school or attaining an average grade of 8.0 or higher in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in the 12th grade. From the second year onward, students must have achieved an average academic result of "Excellent" or higher in the previous year.

Loans for pupils and students, master's students, and doctoral candidates in STEM fields are used to cover tuition, living expenses, and other study costs. The maximum loan amount includes the full amount of tuition payable after scholarships and other financial support from the school, if any, have been deducted, plus living expenses and other study costs of up to 5 million VND per month. The lending interest rate is 4.8% per year.

"The timely funding support has helped many local students complete their courses, find stable employment, and gradually repay their loans."

Bui Van Hanh, Head of the Savings and Credit Group in Vinh An Hamlet, Tri An Ward

Loan amounts may be adjusted upward

Under the credit program for pupils and students in difficult circumstances, pupils and students must live in a household legally residing in the locality where the loan is granted. First-year students must have a notice of admission or a confirmation of admission from the school. From the second year onward, students must obtain confirmation from the school that they are studying and are not subject to administrative sanctions or more severe penalties for the following acts: gambling, drug addiction, theft, and smuggling.

In cases where families encounter financial difficulties due to accidents, illness, natural disasters, fires, or epidemics during the student's period of study, the loan application must include certification from the People's Committee of the commune of residence.

Bringing policy credit services closer to the people also makes it more convenient for pupils and students and their families to access funding. According to Vo Trong Hoa, the VBSP - Dong Nai City Branch currently operates 270 transaction points across all 95 communes and wards, along with more than 4,500 savings and credit groups in residential areas, border communes, and remote areas. Through this system, eligible individuals receive direct guidance on application procedures at the local level, reducing the need for multiple trips.

Notably, the loan amount available to pupils and students in difficult circumstances may be adjusted upward in the near future. "According to information from the Ministry of Finance, the ministry is drafting and submitting to the Government a decision on credit for pupils and students. The draft proposes a maximum loan amount of 8 million VND per month per student, replacing the current maximum of 4 million VND per month," said Vo Trong Hoa.

According to Vo Trong Hoa, the proposed credit policy will continue to cover study and living expenses for pupils and students attending universities or equivalent institutions, colleges, vocational schools, and vocational education institutions within the national education system. The specific loan amount will be determined by the VBSP based on tuition and living costs, without exceeding the prescribed maximum.

By Kim Lieu – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho