Disbursement of STEM credit program to first customers

How is this credit policy different from the student loan programs currently being implemented by the branch, sir?

The credit program for students under Decision No. 157/2007/QD-TTg, dated September 27, 2007 of the Prime Minister , only focuses on capital for students who are members of poor, near-poor households, households with average living standards, and families facing financial difficulties due to accidents, illnesses, fires, and epidemics. Meanwhile, the STEM credit program does not specify circumstances and adds the target group of master's and PhD students in STEM. In addition, this program also focuses on supporting students, master's students, and PhD students studying STEM majors and has conditions related to learning assessment results. The notable difference is that the loan amount is higher and more flexible. Specifically, students can borrow the entire tuition fee after deducting scholarships or other support. In addition, students can borrow up to 5 million VND/month to cover living expenses and other learning expenses.

What achievements are included in the academic performance conditions you just mentioned?

Students must graduate from high school according to the law and meet the conditions. Specifically, first-year students must have all three years of high school assessed as having good or higher academic results according to the law or have an average grade of 8 or higher in math, physics, chemistry, and biology in grade 12. Students from the second year onwards must have an average grade of good or higher in all subjects according to the law in the year immediately preceding the year of requesting the Social Policy Bank for a loan.

Master's and doctoral students are recognized by higher education institutions as master's and doctoral students according to the provisions of law.

Compared to some other loan programs, what is the maximum loan limit for this program?

The maximum loan amount includes the entire tuition fee as confirmed by the school (after deducting scholarships and other financial support from the school, if any) and the maximum living/study expenses of 5 million VND/month. The interest rate of this program is only 4.8%/year (equivalent to 0.4%/month). During the disbursement period, the borrower does not have to pay the principal and interest; the first installment will start after 12 months from the end of the course. The repayment period is decided by the Social Policy Bank and divided into appropriate periods. Loans can be up to 500 million VND/student without having to secure assets; in case of borrowing above this amount, the loan guarantee must be implemented according to regulations.

What solutions has the branch implemented to help beneficiaries quickly access this loan source?

Currently, the city branch of the Social Policy Bank has proactively implemented the loan program according to Decision No. 29 of the Prime Minister. This is a new program, but the branch has prepared sufficient resources to disburse promptly and in accordance with regulations. Through reviewing the capital needs of the units, the capital needs for loans of the program are about 4 billion VND; in September 2025 alone, it is expected to disburse to 27 students at 9 units (city headquarters and 8 transaction offices) with a total amount of about 2,061 million VND.

In addition, to make the program truly reach the right target and promote its effectiveness, we have strengthened coordination with local authorities, socio-political organizations entrusted at the commune level, savings and loan groups, universities and vocational training institutions to review and make a list of eligible subjects and those in need of loans to guide them in making applications. The City Social Policy Bank also promotes propaganda and publicizes information on many media channels and social networking channels so that students and parents can easily grasp it. In the coming time, the branch will coordinate with schools with related majors, high schools, and vocational training centers to integrate propaganda for this program through extracurricular activities so that the credit program can reach students more easily... helping them have more opportunities and motivation to study.

Thank you!

Hoang Loan (performed)

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/tin-dung-stem-dong-luc-thuc-day-hoc-tap-nghien-cuu-158535.html