Increasing the maximum loan size for disadvantaged students to 4 million VND/month

(VBSP News) From May 19, 2022, the maximum loan size of the disadvantaged student scheme will increase from 2.5 million VND/month/ student to VND 4 million/month/student.

VBSP disburses preferential loans at commune transaction points

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has just signed Decision No. 5/2022/QD-TTg amending and supplementing several articles of the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 157/2007/QD-TTg dated September 27, 2007 credit for students. Accordingly, the maximum loan size is 4 million VND/month/student, increased by 1.5 million VND/month/student compared to the previously applied from December 1, 2019

The decision also amends Clause 2, Article 2 regarding subjects eligible for loans: Students who are members of households that follow one of these categories:

1. Poor households according to the standard determined by law.

2. Households are near-poor according to the standard determined by law.

3. The household has an average standard of living according to the standard determined by law.

The decision also amends Clause 2, Article 9 regarding repayment of principal and interest on loans. In particular, from the date students finish the course after 12 months as prescribed, the borrower must pay off the principal and interest for the first time. Borrowers can repay their loans early without paying interest on early payments.

For credit loan contracts signed before 19 May 2022, VBSP, customers and related parties will continue to carry out their commitments, rights and responsibilities in accordance with the obligations stated in the signed contract. The maximum loan amount above is valid for new disbursement starting 19 May 2022.

According to the assessment of the Ministry of Education and Training, in terms of current tuition fees (according to Decree No. 86/2015/ND-CP), the current loan size is meet only 49% of tuition fees of an industry group with the highest tuition fees and 38.5% of student study costs (tuition and living costs). The tuition fee for a student is around 6.5 to 9.5 million VND/month (calculated at the highest tuition fee).

According to VBSP, at the time of issuance of Decision 157/2007/QD-TTg, the maximum loan size for one student was 800,000 VND/month, meeting about 66% of the total study expenses of students. As of 2019, the loan size of 2.5 million VND/student/month meets about 60% of the study cost. However, up to now, the current loan size only meets 37% of the total study cost. Moreover, along with the rise in the cost of living, it is difficult for students to attend study in university.

The Ministry of Finance said that the maximum loan size needs to be adjusted to match the schedule of the tuition increases plan, the VBSP’s ability to mobilize capital and the ability of the State budget to compensate for the difference in interest rates and management fees. It is necessary to increase the loan size to support students to cover their study costs, thereby contributing to stabilizing the life and ideology of students and improving the people’s intellectual level.

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