VBSP offers preferential loans to students, master’s students, and doctoral candidates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields

Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc signed Decision No. 29/2025/QĐ-TTg dated August 28, 2025, of the Prime Minister on credit policies for students, master’s students, and doctoral candidates in STEM fields to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs during their study period.

Eligible borrowers and loan purposes

According to the Decision, students, master’s students, and doctoral candidates in STEM fields are eligible to borrow under this program to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs while studying at higher education institutions or vocational education institutions within the national education system legally established and operating under Vietnamese law.

The STEM fields under this Decision include the following disciplines: Life sciences, natural sciences, computer and information technology, technical technology, engineering, architecture and construction, manufacturing and processing, mathematics and statistics, financial technology as stipulated in the Prime Minister’s regulations on the classification of education and training in the national education system and relevant legal documents; as well as other key technology training programs as prescribed by law.

Loan conditions

1. Students must have graduated from high school as prescribed by law and meet the following conditions at the time VBSP reviews and approves the loan application under this Decision:
   a) First-year students: Must have obtained a “Good” grade or higher for all three years of high school, or achieved an average score of 8.0 or higher in Grade 12 in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
   b) Students from the second year onwards: Must have obtained an overall “Excellent” academic result in the previous year.
2. Master’s students and doctoral candidates must be officially recognized as such by higher education institutions in accordance with the law.
3. At the time of loan application, the borrower must complete the Information Declaration Form (Appendix I of this Decision), obtain certification from their higher or vocational education institution, and provide all required documents to VBSP.
4. Annually, borrowers must complete the Information Declaration Form (Appendix II of this Decision), obtain certification from their higher or vocational education institution, and submit it to VBSP as the basis for loan disbursement.

Loan amount

1. The maximum loan amount per borrower to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs for the remaining duration of the course includes:
   a) Full tuition fees payable by the student (after deduction of scholarships and other financial support, if any), confirmed by the educational institution.
   b) Living expenses and other study-related costs up to VND 5 million (approx. USD 197) per month.
2. Based on these regulations, VBSP and the borrower will agree on the specific loan amount.

Interest rate

• Loan interest rate: 4.8% per year.
• Overdue loan interest rate: 130% of the loan interest rate.

Loan term

1. The loan term includes: the disbursement period, the grace period (from graduation until the first repayment), and the repayment period.
2. The disbursement period runs from the date the borrower receives the first disbursement until the end of the course, including any officially approved leave of absence with results preserved:
   a) Disbursement is made in installments as stipulated or agreed with VBSP.
   b) No disbursement is made during approved leave of absence with study results preserved.
   c) During the disbursement period, no principal or interest repayment is required.
3. Within 12 months after graduation, borrowers must make their first repayment of principal and interest. Early repayment is allowed without penalty.
4. The repayment term is decided by VBSP but shall not exceed the disbursement period (excluding approved leave periods). Repayments are made in installments as determined by VBSP.

Lending method

1. VBSP provides loans through households. A family representative signs the loan agreement and conducts transactions with VBSP.
2. If the household has no member aged 18 or above, or remaining members are unable to work or lack full civil act capacity, the student may borrow directly from VBSP.

Loan security

1. Loans up to VND 500 million (approx. USD 19,700) per borrower require no collateral.
2. Loans over VND 500 million (approx. USD 19,700) per borrower require collateral in accordance with the law on secured transactions and VBSP’s regulations.