What are regulations on mechanisms for tuition fee exemptions, study cost support, and tuition fee payment support in Vietnam?

What are regulations on mechanisms for tuition fee exemptions, study cost support, and tuition fee payment support in Vietnam? - image from internet

The mechanisms for tuition fee exemptions, study cost support, and tuition fee payment support are regulated under Article 20 of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP (effective from October 15, 2021) as follows:

1. Tuition fee exemptions and reductions are implemented for the entire duration of study at educational institutions, except in cases where there are changes in the reasons for the exemption or reduction.

2. The state budget is responsible for providing financial compensation for tuition fee exemptions and reductions for students at public educational institutions, specifically:

a) The state provides financial compensation for tuition fee exemptions and reductions at public preschools, primary and secondary schools, and continuing education institutions for eligible students according to the criteria specified in this decree. The tuition fee rates are determined by the provincial People's Council for public educational institutions that have not yet fully ensured regular funding, corresponding to each region and level of education.

b) The state provides financial compensation for tuition fee exemptions and reductions at public vocational schools and private universities for eligible students according to the tuition fee limits specified in points a) and b) of Article 10, and points a) and b) of Article 11 of this decree.

The remaining amount is to be paid by students, which is the difference between the tuition fee limits specified in points a) and b) of Article 10, and points a) and b) of Article 11, and the support provided by the state. However, for certain professions specified in points a and b of Article 16, students are required to pay the difference between the actual tuition fee of the educational institution and the support provided by the state.

3. The state directly provides financial compensation for tuition fee exemptions and reductions for eligible students studying at privately-owned and non-public preschools, primary and secondary schools, vocational schools, and private universities. The state also directly provides financial support for tuition fee payments to families of elementary school students studying at private educational institutions in areas where there are insufficient public schools. The tuition fee rates are determined by the provincial People's Council for public educational institutions that have not yet fully ensured regular funding, corresponding to each region and level of education. The tuition fee rates for vocational schools and public universities that have not yet fully ensured regular funding are determined by the authorized agency, corresponding to the specified fields and majors in Article 10 and Article 11 of this decree.

4. In cases where there is overlap between the beneficiaries of tuition fee exemptions, reductions, and study cost support policies specified in this decree and other legal documents that provide higher levels of support, the beneficiaries shall receive the higher level of support specified in the other legal documents.

5. Tuition fee exemptions and reductions do not apply to individuals who are receiving salaries and living allowances while attending school, as well as to those studying in postgraduate and doctoral programs (except for the beneficiaries specified in points 14 and 16 of Article 15 of this decree).

6. The preferential regime for tuition fee exemptions and reductions does not apply to students who have already received this regime at one vocational school or university and are now continuing their studies at another vocational school or university of the same level and training program. If a student is eligible for tuition fee exemptions or reductions and simultaneously studies at multiple educational institutions or multiple departments and majors within the same university, they can only enjoy one preferential regime.

7. The tuition fee exemption and reduction regime does not apply to students enrolled in regular education and short-term training programs at regular education institutions, except for students at various education levels following the regular education program.

8. The tuition fee exemption, reduction, and study cost support policies are not applicable during the period when a student is under disciplinary action and suspended from studying or forced to leave, on academic probation, or repeating a grade or taking additional courses. In cases where a student has to stop studying; repeat a grade, be on academic probation (not exceeding one time) due to illness, accidents, or force majeure reasons not related to disciplinary action or voluntary withdrawal, the head of the educational institution shall consider allowing the student to continue their studies according to the regulations and continue to receive the support policies specified in this Decree.

9. The additional budget for tuition fee exemptions, reductions, and tuition fee payment support is provided based on the actual study time but not exceeding 9 months per academic year for preschool children, primary and secondary school students, and learners at regular education institutions, and 10 months per academic year for students at vocational education institutions and universities, and is disbursed to students twice a year at the beginning of each semester of the academic year.

10. The state directly provides financial support for study cost to the beneficiaries specified in Article 18 of this Decree at the rate of 150,000 VND per student per month to purchase books, notebooks, and other learning materials. The duration of support is based on the actual study time and not exceeding 9 months per academic year, and is disbursed twice a year at the beginning of each semester of the academic year.

11. In cases where parents (or guardians), primary and secondary school students, learners at regular education institutions, or students at vocational education institutions and universities have not received the tuition fee compensation and study cost support within the specified period, they shall be reimbursed in the next disbursement.

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