Study loans - Giving hope, building the future

BAC NINH - For many years, the preferential loan program for students of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, Bac Ninh branch, has become a companion, building a "bridge" of knowledge for students to firmly pursue their dreams and build their future.

Reduce financial pressure

The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Hang, Nam Le village, Lang Giang commune, has not forgotten the days of both joy and worry when her two daughters, Vu Thi Thanh Quyen, born in 2004, and Vu Thuy Dung, born in 2005, received university admission notices. Ms. Hang shared: “My family is an agricultural family with unstable income. Therefore, the cost of studying and living for the children is too much. Thanks to the State's policy, we were approved by the Lang Giang Social Policy Bank to borrow 280 million VND for the entire university education of the two children. This preferential loan source not only provides financial support but also helps my children feel secure in studying and building their future.”

Officers of the Transaction Office of Lang Giang Social Policy Bank disburse loans at the transaction point at the Cultural House of Nam Tien village.

As for Mr. Hoang Van Hung, Vinh Quang village, Lang Giang commune, the worry about the cost of education for his two children studying at the Industrial College and the National Economics University (Hanoi) has been somewhat alleviated thanks to preferential support capital from the bank. Mr. Hung said: "My husband and I have an unstable monthly income, so when it comes to paying the children's tuition fees, the family relies on a loan from the Social Policy Bank. Through the Commune Farmers' Association, we were approved by the bank for a loan of 260 million VND, which will be disbursed periodically throughout the children's education."

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Lang Giang Commune, thanks to the timely deployment of loans, many families in difficult circumstances have reduced their burden in the new school year. At this time, the Union has entrusted the Transaction Office of the Social Policy Bank of Lang Giang with a total capital of 140.9 billion VND, more than 2,000 customers borrowing capital at 78 savings and loan groups. The student loan program alone reached 7 billion VND; more than 100 families with children in poor, near-poor, and difficult circumstances in the commune have all had access to loans.

“By the end of August, the total outstanding balance of the student loan program of the unit reached 27 billion VND. The capital for student loans is an investment for the future. Dozens of students after graduation have returned to their hometowns to work, contributing to local development,” added Ms. Ta Thi Quy, Deputy Director of the Transaction Office of the Social Policy Bank of Lang Giang.

Steady steps on the path of conquering knowledge

In recent times, preferential loans for students in Bac Ninh have always been guaranteed, meeting the needs of borrowers. From this source of capital, many poor, near-poor, and disadvantaged families have reduced their financial burden, helping them confidently continue on the path of conquering knowledge. The maximum loan amount is 4 million VND/month/person, with a long repayment period. From the date students finish the 12-month course as prescribed, the borrower must repay the principal and interest of the loan for the first time.

To make the loan program effective, the Social Policy Bank coordinates with associations, unions, and local authorities to review and guide procedures for households in need of loans to cover expenses for their children at the beginning of the school year.

In the first 8 months of 2025, the Social Policy Bank, Bac Ninh branch, disbursed 73.8 billion VND to more than 400 customers borrowing capital for student programs, raising the total outstanding debt to more than 430 billion VND with 6,800 households borrowing capital. Some transaction offices have high outstanding debt such as: Hiep Hoa over 101 billion VND; Tan Yen nearly 40 billion VND; Viet Yen over 27.3 billion VND; Thuan Thanh 25.1 billion VND...

Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, Director of the provincial branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, said: “With preferential interest rates and flexible repayment periods after graduation, this policy has helped reduce financial pressure for thousands of families. Thanks to preferential capital, many students after graduation have had 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 social 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.”

The preferential student loan program has proven that policy credit is not only a loan, but also a "bridge" of knowledge, the key to opening a bright future for students. With the goal of "Not letting any student drop out of school due to lack of funds", in the new school year 2025-2026, the Social Policy Bank, Bac Ninh branch, proactively balances and prepares sufficient capital to promptly meet the demand for study loans. Also in the school year 2025-2026, the Social Policy Bank will implement the STEM preferential credit program, a new policy under Decision No. 29/2025/QD-TTg dated August 28, 2025 of the Prime Minister. This is an important milestone, providing spiritual support for students, graduate students and researchers pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Article and photos: Ha Linh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/vay-von-hoc-tap-trao-hy-vong-dung-tuong-lai-postid426277.bbg