Building a "bridge" of knowledge for students

Over the years, the preferential credit program for students implemented by the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies has become a solid foundation for thousands of families in Phu Tho. Although the capital is not large, it has a special meaning, fueling the dreams of many people going to university.

Staff of Thanh Thuy Commune Social Policy Bank advise people on student support loans.

SMALL CAPITAL, BIG MEANING

In rural areas with many difficulties, children passing the university entrance exam used to be a joy mixed with worries. The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Nghia in Da Bac commune, nearly 100 km from the provincial center, still cannot forget the days of both joy and worry when both children received admission notices. As a purely agricultural household with an unstable income, the cost of studying and living in the city became a seemingly insurmountable burden. The preferential loan policy came at the right time, helping the family get a loan of 70 million VND, divided equally for each semester. Not only providing financial support, this source of capital also ignited the confidence for the children to firmly step on their journey of knowledge.

The story of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tu's family in Tu Vu commune is even more heartbreaking. With many children and many incidents, the youngest son, Tran Dinh Quyet, the family's only hope, has a congenital blood disease, and the medical expenses for his treatment cost tens of millions of dong each month. In difficult circumstances, a loan of 19 million dong per semester from the Social Policy Bank has become a support for Quyet to continue going to school, studying and managing his own life. It is not only material support but also fuels the spiritual fire that helps him stay strong in the face of adversity.

According to Ms. Luong Thi Lam, Vice President of the Women's Union of Da Bac commune, more than 10 households with poor and near-poor children in the commune have had access to loans. Thanks to that, the children have reduced economic pressure, are able to study with peace of mind, and have achieved many positive results. "The program needs to continue to be expanded so that more and more disadvantaged students have the opportunity to go to school," Ms. Lam suggested.

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“Small capital - great meaning” is the motto throughout the implementation of credit for students. The outstanding debt of hundreds of billions of VND not only reflects the scale of the program but more importantly, shows the change in people's mindset: From worrying and struggling, they are now reassured with support from the Party and the State. In Da Bac commune, as of the end of July, the total outstanding debt of the program reached nearly 700 million VND with 20 households receiving loans. In Thanh Thuy and Tu Vu, the total outstanding debt reached more than 11 billion VND, with more than 200 households accessing capital. The convenience of having 17 transaction points in the commune has helped people not have to go far, promptly meeting urgent needs such as school fees for their children. According to Ms. Vi Thi Phuong Dung, Director of the Social Policy Bank of Thanh Thuy commune, each dong of capital lent to students is an investment for the future. Dozens of students have returned to their hometowns to work after graduation, contributing to local development. This is a positive cycle, reducing the dropout rate, improving the quality of human resources, and contributing to socio-economic development.

Deputy Director of the Social Policy Bank of Phu Tho province, Nguyen Thanh Tinh, said: With preferential interest rates and flexible repayment periods after graduation, this policy has helped reduce financial pressure for thousands of families. In fact, many students, thanks to preferential capital, have graduated from university, have stable jobs, returned to pay off their debts to their families and continue to support their younger siblings to go to school. This meaningful cycle not only spreads humanistic values, but also creates motivation for community development. Although the loan capital is small, it brings great benefits, contributing to preventing the risk of dropping out of school, especially in remote areas where economic conditions are still difficult.

Since the beginning of the year, nearly 5,400 households in the province have received loans, with a total outstanding debt of more than VND 284 billion; the overdue debt rate remains below 0.2% - demonstrating the effectiveness and sustainability of the program. Entering the 2025-2026 school year, the Phu Tho Provincial Social Policy Bank aims to continue prioritizing capital for students; at the same time, coordinate with the government and organizations to quickly appraise and approve loans, so that students do not miss the opportunity to go to school. This is also a commitment to concretize the Party and State's policy on equity in access to education , ensuring that no one is left behind.

The touching stories from poor but studious students and their families have proven that: Policy credit is not just a loan, but also a bridge to knowledge, the key to opening a bright future.

Article and photos: NGOC LONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/bac-nhip-cau-tri-thuc-cho-sinh-vien-post902926.html