Are ethnic minority students from near-poor households in Vietnam eligible for study cost support for the new academic year 2024?

Are ethnic minority students from near-poor households in Vietnam eligible for study cost support for the new academic year 2024?

Pursuant to Article 1 of Decision 66/2013/QD-TTg, the subjects eligible for study cost support policies are as follows:

Scope and Subjects of Application

1. This Decision prescribes the policy on supporting study costs for students who are members of ethnic minorities from poor or near-poor households as stipulated by the State, and who pass the entrance exam into regular university or college programs at higher education institutions, including universities, academies, and colleges.

2. This Decision does not apply to students: selected by local authorities, policy beneficiaries who are directly recruited, locality-based training, bridging, second degrees, and university or college students who have completed a preparatory university program.

Thus, according to the above regulations, minority students from near-poor households will receive support for study costs if they meet the following conditions:

[1] Belong to poor or near-poor households as defined by the State;

[2] Pass the entrance exam into regular university or college programs at higher education institutions, including universities, academies, and colleges.

*Note: Support for study costs does not apply to students selected by local authorities, policy beneficiaries who are directly recruited, locality-based training, bridging, second degrees, and university or college students who have completed a preparatory university program.

Are ethnic minority students from near-poor households in Vietnam eligible for study cost support for the new academic year 2024?​ (Image from the Internet)

Duration of Study Cost Support for Minority Students from Near-Poor Households

Pursuant to Article 3 of Circular 35/2014/TTLT-BGDDT-BTC, the level of support for study costs for students who are ethnic minorities studying at higher education institutions is as follows:

Support Level

The support level for study costs is 60% of the statutory pay rate and is granted for no more than 10 months per academic year per student; the number of years eligible for support is based on the official training duration.

Firstly, according to Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 73/2024/ND-CP, the statutory pay rate is 2,340,000 VND per month.

According to the above regulations, minority students will receive support for study costs at a level equal to 60% of the statutory pay rate (2,340,000 VND).

Thus, the duration of study cost support for minority students from near-poor households is no more than 10 months per academic year per student; the number of years eligible for support is based on the official training duration.

What are sources of funding for study cost support for minority students in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 3 of Decision 66/2013/QD-TTg, the source of funding is as follows:

Funding

The funding for the implementation of support policies as stipulated in this Decision is balanced in the annual budget for education and training as per the state budget management decentralization.

Pursuant to Article 7 of Circular 35/2014/TTLT-BGDDT-BTC, the source of funding for implementation is as follows:

Source of Funding

The funding for implementing the payment of study cost support as stipulated in this Circular is provided as an addition to the annual budget estimates for education and training of localities, ministries, and central authorities based on the following principles:

1. The central budget supports local budgets to implement the policy of study cost support for students studying at non-public higher education institutions, public higher education institutions managed by localities according to the principle: 100% support for localities that cannot balance their budgets and Quang Ngai province, 50% support for localities with a budget adjustment rate of less than 50% to the central budget, and other localities shall self-finance.

Provincial People's Committees, cities under the central authority, allocate local budgets along with central budget support to implement the policy of study cost support for students according to regulations.

2. The central budget ensures the funding for implementing the study cost support policy for higher education institutions managed by ministries, central authorities, and central agencies.

3. In 2014, ministries, central authorities, and localities will send a consolidated report on the funding for study cost support for minority students as stipulated in this Circular to the Ministry of Finance for consolidation and submission to competent authorities for consideration and supplementing the budget estimates for implementation.

Thus, according to the above regulations, the source of funding for study cost support for minority students uses the central budget as per the state budget management decentralization.

*Note: The budget allocation should follow the principles below:

Principle 1: The central budget supports local budgets to implement the policy of study cost support for students studying at non-public higher education institutions and public higher education institutions managed by localities according to the principle: 100% support for localities that cannot balance their budgets and Quang Ngai province, 50% support for localities with a budget adjustment rate of less than 50% to the central budget, and other localities shall self-finance.

Provincial People's Committees, cities under the central authority, allocate local budgets along with central budget support to implement the policy of study cost support for students according to regulations.

Principle 2: The central budget ensures the funding for implementing the study cost support policy for higher education institutions managed by ministries, central authorities, and central agencies.