STEM Credit - the foundation for the dream of knowledge.

The effective implementation of Decision 29/2025/QD-TTg not only opens up more learning opportunities for students in STEM fields, but also contributes to building a high-quality workforce for the locality and the country...

When the dream of going to school is no longer left unfulfilled.

It is no coincidence that Nghe An has been known as the "land of learning" for generations. In this studious region, outstanding students and exceptional individuals have emerged, rising from hardship to conquer knowledge. This tradition is being strengthened more than ever with the timely implementation of preferential credit policies for students, including master's and doctoral students, studying science , technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This opens doors to higher education for many families struggling with the cost of education.

In accordance with Decision No. 29/2025/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) branch in Nghe An province has quickly taken action, focusing on implementing a loan program for STEM students in a proactive and flexible manner, ensuring that capital reaches the right target group and meets their needs. This preferential capital not only helps cover tuition fees, living expenses, and study costs, but also serves as a source of moral support, allowing students to confidently pursue their long-term education.

The family of Ms. Truong Thi Vui, a near-poor household in Minh Quang hamlet, Minh Hop commune, is one of the first households in the locality to access loan capital under the STEM credit program. Her son, Le Huy Thien, a third-year student at Hanoi University of Industry, majoring in engineering technology, has outstanding academic achievements, ranking as an excellent student in the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Quy Hop branch of the Vietnam Social Policy Bank disburses a loan to Ms. Truong Thi Vui (far right) under the STEM program.

Immediately after the STEM credit program was launched, Thien proactively contacted the Quy Hop branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to receive guidance on loan procedures. With a preferential interest rate of 4.8% per year and a loan amount increased to 40 million VND per academic year, this funding helped Thien cover all tuition and living expenses throughout his studies. Mrs. Vui's family received the loan in the first academic year, allowing Thien to focus on his studies. "My family is very happy and excited. This is a great encouragement for my son to continue striving in his studies. Without this policy, managing the costs of university education would be a huge burden," shared Mrs. Truong Thi Vui.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Ly, head of the savings and loan group in Minh Quang hamlet, many poor and near-poor households in the area were previously hesitant to borrow money because they worried about their ability to repay the debt. However, seeing that Ms. Vui's family borrowed money for their children's education and repaid it fully and on time, many households have gradually changed their way of thinking. "With the STEM loan program, the high loan amount and preferential interest rate will certainly help many students from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to pursue their educational dreams, opening up opportunities for a better life in the future," Ms. Ly commented.

Le Huy Thien is an outstanding student of the 2023-2024 academic year at Hanoi University of Industry.

Not only Mrs. Vui's family, but many other households in Nghe An province are also benefiting from this humane policy. Mrs. Vu Kieu Anh's family in Kim Ngoc hamlet, Trung Loc commune, has a son, Nguyen Nhu Thinh, a student majoring in mechatronics engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. With a total loan of 80 million VND disbursed in a single payment for his final year, the funds have helped the student cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other necessary study costs during the crucial final period before graduation. Mrs. Vu Kieu Anh shared: “My son is in his final year, and the practical training costs are very high. Thanks to the timely implementation of the STEM credit policy, the family's burden has been eased, and my son can focus on his studies and return to serve his homeland in the future.”

Meanwhile, in Phuc Loc commune, the family of Ms. Tran Thi Thao is also a prime example. Her son, Nguyen Dinh Anh, a first-year student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, was approved for a loan totaling 156 million VND for his entire university studies. For the 2025-2026 academic year alone, the family received 78 million VND to cover tuition and living expenses. Ms. Thao emotionally shared: “Our family is purely agricultural, my husband passed away early, and all expenses depend on a few acres of rice fields. Thanks to this capital, my son can focus on his studies and pursue his dream of becoming an information technology engineer. My family is very grateful to the bank and the local government.”

The Nghi Loc branch of the Vietnam Social Policy Bank disburses STEM credit program funds to the household of Ms. Vu Kieu Anh (far left) in Kim Ngoc hamlet, Trung Loc commune.

Foundation for future human resources

Cao Nhu Trinh, a new student from Nong Trang village, Chau Tien commune, is one of the young people in Nghe An province who received a loan under the STEM credit policy. She was granted a loan of 320 million VND to cover all four years of her chemical engineering studies at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. In the first disbursement, she received 80 million VND to cover tuition and living expenses for the 2025-2026 academic year. “Coming from the highlands of Nghe An to study at university in the capital, without this funding, my family would have found it very difficult to make ends meet. I will try my best to study hard so that I can have a better future and contribute to my hometown,” shared Cao Nhu Trinh with determination.

To ensure this humane policy is implemented effectively, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) branch in Nghe An province has closely coordinated with local authorities and entrusted socio-political organizations, promoting awareness and carefully reviewing eligible borrowers. Bank staff proactively visit local communities and individual households to guide borrowers through the procedures, ensuring loans reach students quickly and in accordance with regulations. Simultaneously, the application of digital technology in credit management allows parents and students to easily track outstanding balances and repayment schedules, ensuring transparency and providing peace of mind when accessing policy-based loans.

The Quy Chau branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (NHCSXH) in Nghe An province disburses funds at the commune-level transaction point.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, an official of the Women's Union in Anh Son Dong commune, from the very beginning of the program's implementation, the organizations have actively coordinated in disseminating information and assessing loan needs. "With large loan limits and preferential interest rates, the program has helped many families reduce economic pressure and create opportunities for their children to pursue STEM education," Ms. Hien happily stated.

To date, 310 customers in Nghe An province have accessed loans under the STEM credit program, with a total outstanding balance of nearly 23 billion VND. These figures demonstrate the widespread impact and clear effectiveness of the policy…

Mr. Hoang Son Lam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) branch in Nghe An province, said that immediately after Decision 29/2025/QD-TTg was issued, the unit proactively advised the Provincial People's Committee to direct the synchronized implementation, promote policy communication, and guide the completion of loan applications to disburse loans as quickly as possible. This is a groundbreaking policy that has been positively received and supported by the people. In the coming time, the unit will continue to closely coordinate with localities, socio-political organizations, and training institutions to bring the policy closer to the people, while strengthening inspection and supervision to ensure that loan capital is used for the right purpose and effectively.

Along with the rest of the country, in Nghe An province, the effective implementation of Decision 29/2025/QD-TTg not only opens up more learning opportunities for students in STEM fields but also contributes to building a high-quality workforce for the locality and the country. These humane policy investments are quietly flowing, nurturing dreams of knowledge, creating a foundation for innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development in the new era.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/tin-dung-stem-diem-tua-cho-giac-mo-tri-thuc-176242.html