Preferential capital flows support STEM learners

The transaction office of the Hoa Vang Social Policy Bank organizes disbursement for customers residing in the area under the preferential credit program for science , technology, engineering and mathematics. Photo: HT

Not only a source of financial support, this policy also opens the door to knowledge, helping many families reduce their burdens, many young people confidently pursue their passion for science and technology, contributing to nurturing a generation of human resources for Vietnam's knowledge economy .

As policy moves closer to STEM classrooms

Implementing Decision No. 29/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on credit for students, master's students, and biological researchers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, since the beginning of September 2025, local transaction offices of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) in the city have deployed preferential loan programs, contributing to realizing the policy of developing high-quality human resources in the context of national digital transformation.

Recently, at the transaction point of Ba Na commune, the Transaction Office of the Social Policy Bank of Hoa Vang organized disbursement for 3 customers residing in the area, with a total approved amount of 920.9 million VND. These are the first cases in the commune to access the preferential credit program for STEM students according to Decision No. 29/QD-TTg dated August 28, 2025 of the Prime Minister.

Specifically, Mr. Nguyen Van Tan has a son named Nguyen Thien Nhan, a student majoring in Information Technology at the Vietnam - Korea University of Information Technology and Communications, who was approved to borrow a total of VND 243.2 million for the entire course, with a preferential interest rate of 4.8%/year. In this period, the family was disbursed VND 65.9 million for the 2025 school year.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tan shared: “My family is poor, my wife is often sick, I work as a coffee seller to support 4 children to study. At the beginning of every school year, I worry about tuition fees, especially for Nhan who studies information technology, the cost is very high. Thanks to this preferential capital source, my family's burden is reduced, my child can study with peace of mind and is determined to achieve excellent results to continue to borrow capital. This program not only helps my child but also helps many other students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the field of science and technology."

Similarly, Mr. Huynh Tai, parent of Huynh Thi Ut Ngan, a student majoring in Computer Science and Information Technology at the University of Technology (University of Danang), was able to borrow a total of VND278.8 million over 5 years of study, with VND65.9 million disbursed. The third case is Ms. Pham Thi Tien, whose husband is Mr. Nguyen Dac Nhan, a PhD student in Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Education (University of Danang), was approved to borrow VND399 million, of which VND96 million was disbursed in the first installment.

According to Mr. Tran Van Hung, Director of the Hoa Vang Social Policy Bank Transaction Office, since Decision No. 29/QD-TTg was issued, the unit has proactively advised local Party committees and authorities and coordinated with socio-political organizations to widely propagate, review, receive applications and promptly disburse funds to students.

“We will continue to closely coordinate with departments, sectors and localities to ensure that all qualified STEM students, master's students and PhD students have access to this source of capital,” Mr. Hung affirmed.

Not only in Hoa Vang area, many families in the city have quickly accessed the STEM loan policy. At the Cam Le Social Policy Bank Transaction Office, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuy Phuong (43 years old, Cam Le ward) is one of the first customers to receive disbursement. Her son - Nguyen Cong Vu has just been admitted to the University of Technical Education (Da Nang University). At the beginning of the 2025 - 2026 school year, her family was able to borrow 70.4 million VND to pay for tuition, living expenses and purchase computers for study.

“I was surprised that this policy does not limit the borrowers to poor households. My family is not well off, but without the STEM program, paying for my child’s education would be very difficult. The loan not only helps reduce the financial burden but also provides great spiritual encouragement for my child to study with peace of mind,” Ms. Phuong said.

Investing in the future of the country

According to Decision No. 29/QD-TTg, students of STEM majors are allowed to borrow the entire tuition fee (after deducting scholarships and other financial support from the school, if any) as confirmed by the school, living expenses and other study expenses up to 5 million VND/month. Loans up to 500 million VND/student do not require loan collateral; for loans over 500 million VND, borrowers must have collateral according to regulations. With an interest rate of only 4.8%/year, the program is considered one of the humane and practical credit policies, creating conditions for students to confidently pursue their passion for science and technology.

Mr. Doan Ngoc Chung, Director of the Social Policy Bank Branch in Da Nang City, said that immediately after receiving instructions from the Central Government, the branch advised the City People's Committee to urgently direct the implementation to departments, branches, local authorities and schools to widely propagate to the people. From September to now, the branch has disbursed to 30 customers with a total amount of 2.5 billion VND. The current capital source fully meets the actual needs of borrowers, meeting the needs to the extent.

The new highlight of the STEM credit program is the expansion of beneficiaries, not limited to poor and near-poor households; higher loan amounts, including tuition and living expenses. This helps the program reach a wider audience, especially families with children studying science, technology, engineering, fields that are lacking high-quality human resources.

“This is a very humane policy, a commitment to accompany STEM students. Each loan is an investment in the future, not only of each student, but also an investment in knowledge, in the sustainable development of the country,” Mr. Chung shared.

With the synchronous participation of the VBSP system and authorities at all levels, the preferential credit program for STEM students is opening up great opportunities for the young generation of Vietnam, who will make important contributions to the digital transformation and development of the country's knowledge economy.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/dong-von-uu-dai-tiep-suc-nguoi-hoc-stem-3306451.html