Student loans - A stepping stone for dreams in border regions

Decision 157/2007/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on credit for students, issued 17 years ago, has become a vital source of support for millions of disadvantaged families. More than just a preferential loan, it serves as a bridge enabling many children in remote, isolated, and border areas to continue their journey to higher education, nurturing their aspirations for self-reliance and career development.

Nurturing unfulfilled dreams

In Tan Tien border commune, Dong Nai province, Nguyen Duong Khanh Linh's family once faced the risk of putting her university dream on hold after 12 years of schooling. The family's financial situation was tight, and the cost of education was too high. But thanks to access to student loan capital, Khanh Linh was able to continue her intellectual journey. She is currently a first-year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education.

Speaking about the support, Khanh Linh said: "The student loan will ease the burden on my parents and allow me to focus on my studies. I will do my best in school, and after graduation, find a stable job to help my family repay the loan and build a better future."

A disadvantaged family, thanks to student loans, Nguyen Duong Khanh Linh is now a first-year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. Photo: Van Doan

Khanh Linh's story is not unique. That of Nguyen Thi Hue, a resident of Tan Nhan hamlet, Tan Tien Commune, also highlights the deeply humanitarian value of this policy. Six years ago, just as her eldest daughter entered university, her husband was severely injured in an accident and lost the ability to care for himself. All the burdens fell on her shoulders. In that moment, a loan of 40 million VND per year from the Bank for Social Policies became a lifeline.

Hue said emotionally, "After my husband's accident, our family was in a very difficult situation. Fortunately, the bank provided a student loan to help us support our two children's education. Without that support, we probably wouldn't have made it. Thanks to it, both of our children have now graduated and found stable jobs."

Such stories are common in border areas and disadvantaged ethnic minority communities. Each loan not only eases the financial burden but also creates opportunities for children in rural and mountainous areas to access education and transform their lives.

Nguyen Thi Hue is delighted and proud that her two children have stable jobs after graduating thanks to student loans. Photo: Van Doan

According to Nguyen Ngoc Diep, Director of the Bank for Social Policies branch of Bu Dop, more than 700 households in this border region have taken out loans to support their children's education at universities, colleges, and vocational schools, with total outstanding debt exceeding 40 billion VND. Diep emphasized: "Through the student loan program, students can access funding, use it effectively, and help their families overcome hardship and move forward. This is also a way to develop a high-quality workforce, ensuring that students have jobs and stable lives after graduation."

Looking back on more than 17 years of implementation, it is clear that the preferential student loan program is one of the most effective social security policies. Not only does it support students on their educational journey, but it also helps promote educational equity and narrow the gap between urban and rural areas.

Especially in border regions, the preferential credit policy is not just financial support, as it is also a source of reassurance for families, a motivation for students to pursue their studies, and a foundation for them to return and serve their homeland, contributing to the preservation and development of the borderland.

Humanitarian policy, spreading trust

Since its early days, the Student Loan Fund has demonstrated a strong and far-reaching impact. Millions of young people have entered university, and tens of thousands of graduates have secured stable jobs, supported their families, and contributed to society. This policy also plays a role in developing a high-quality workforce to serve national development.

Many families shared that without access to credit programs, their children would have had to leave school early to enter the workforce, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Thanks to the State's support, many young people have been able to change their lives and build a brighter future.

After nearly two decades, Decision 157 is not just an administrative document but has become a true "stepping stone". For poor and near-poor households and people in remote areas, this is a door that opens up hope. This policy not only provides financial support but also conveys a message: Every dream of learning deserves to be nurtured.

In recent years, the Bu Dop branch of the Bank for Social Policies has always been a support, helping many poor students continue their dreams of studying. Photo: Van Doan

Nguyen Ngoc Diep shared: "Bu Dop is a border area with a large population of ethnic minorities, and their lives are still very difficult. Previously, providing for children to continue their education after graduating from high school was a huge burden. But thanks to propaganda efforts and timely access to student loan capital, many students have had the opportunity to continue their studies, graduate, find stable jobs, and gradually repay their debts. This is truly a motivation and a belief for families in the border region to firmly support their children on the path to establishing themselves and their careers."

In today's lecture halls, countless students are working hard to pursue their studies thanks to preferential credit loans. In the years to come, when they grow into teachers, engineers, doctors, and public servants, this policy will continue to extend its impact, turning a loan into a powerful force for life-changing transformation.

By: Van Doan

Translated by: Mai Nga - Minho