Opening doors for STEM learners

The Prime Minister has just issued Decision No. 29/2025/QD-TTg dated August 28, 2025 (Decision No. 29) on credit for students, master's students, and doctoral students in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). This is a policy of practical significance.

Lecturers and students of the University of Transport in a Technical Drawing class.

This decision not only helps students reduce the financial burden during their studies and living, but also encourages the younger generation to pursue key fields, contributing to training and developing high-quality human resources for the country.

According to Decision No. 29, students, master's students, and biology researchers in STEM majors are eligible to borrow program capital to support tuition, living expenses, and other learning expenses during their studies at universities and vocational training institutions in the national education system established and operating under the provisions of Vietnamese law. STEM majors specified in this decision include: Life sciences, natural sciences, computers and information technology, engineering technology, engineering, architecture and construction, manufacturing and processing, mathematics and statistics, financial technology, and a number of other key technology training majors as prescribed by law.

To be eligible for a student loan, students must graduate from high school as required by law. For first-year students, the requirement is to have academic results of good or better in all three years of high school or to have an average score of 8 points or higher in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in grade 12. For students from the second year onwards, the requirement is to have average academic results of good or better in the previous school year. As for master's and doctoral students, they must be recognized by higher education institutions as master's and doctoral students as required by law.

The maximum loan amount for each student to support tuition, living expenses and other study expenses for the remaining duration of the course, including the entire tuition fee payable by the student (after deducting scholarships and other financial support) as confirmed by the school; living expenses and other study expenses are 5 million VND/month; loan interest rate is 4.8%/year, a practical level of support, helping students reduce financial burden, and feel secure in pursuing their study and research path.

From the perspective of students, this credit policy is considered a great source of encouragement and an opportunity to excel through one's own efforts. Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, a first-year student majoring in Chemical Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, shared: "Decision No. 29 is really good news for us students, especially those studying in engineering and technology fields, where tuition fees, experimental and practice costs are quite high. This policy not only helps reduce the financial burden on families but also gives us more motivation to study and research with peace of mind. I believe that with the support of the State, many students will boldly pursue their passion in the fields of science and technology, contributing to the formation of a team of young engineers and scientists in the future."

Tran Manh Dung, a second-year student at the University of Transport, said: "The fact that the Social Policy Bank has considered lending all tuition and living expenses at the highest level of 5 million VND/month with an interest rate of 4.8%/year is very practical. When I knew the information, I proactively learned about the procedures from the school and the bank. This is a humane policy, helping students have more conditions to continue studying and practicing."

From the perspective of training institutions, Dr. Mai Nam Phong, Head of the Department of Political and Student Affairs, University of Transport, commented: In the context of the country entering a period of strong transformation in science and technology, the need for high-quality technical human resources is extremely urgent. Therefore, supporting students to access study credit is not only meaningful, but also contributes to implementing the national human resource development strategy.

Decision No. 29 not only opens the door to knowledge for students in STEM fields but also affirms the State's strong commitment to accompanying the young generation on the journey to conquer science and technology, contributing to the goal of making Vietnam a developed country with advanced science and technology.

Immediately after Decision No. 29 was issued, the University of Transport organized a meeting between functional units to implement it, ensuring that students have quick, convenient and effective access to the policy. Currently, the school is building a database system and specialized software to meet specific criteria and conditions according to regulations. While the digitization process is being completed, students can submit applications directly to the Student Affairs Department for the earliest confirmation; relevant units coordinate to review and confirm conditions and standards as soon as possible so that students can borrow capital in the locality in time. "The goal is to create the most favorable conditions for students, not to let any student be affected by procedural delays in borrowing capital," Mr. Phong emphasized.

At Hanoi University of Science and Technology, where more than 80% of students come from rural areas and more than 90% of students study STEM, this policy is considered a great motivation for students to study and research with peace of mind. Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thanh Huyen, Head of Student Affairs Department, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that this preferential credit policy is suitable for reality, helping excellent students to borrow full tuition fees with reasonable living expenses. This is also an important solution to increase the number of students studying STEM, towards the State's goal of having 35% of students studying in these fields by 2030.

“In previous years, at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, about 1,300 students registered for loans under credit policies to support their studies. This year, with the new policy for STEM students, the school predicts that the number of applications will increase significantly. According to regulations, students must repay the loan one year after graduation. Most of them now have jobs, some of the school's students have had jobs since their third year. Therefore, borrowing capital will not only support their studies but also contribute to forming a sense of responsibility and initiative in learners,” Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thanh Huyen emphasized.

Decision No. 29 not only opens the door to knowledge for students in STEM fields but also affirms the State's strong commitment to accompanying the young generation on the journey to conquer science and technology, contributing to the goal of making Vietnam a developed country with advanced science and technology.

QUYNH NGUYEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/mo-rong-canh-cua-cho-nguoi-hoc-cac-nganh-stem-post921924.html