On the evening of 25/12, representatives from Saigon University confirmed the disbursement of living expense support under Decree 116 to over 1,000 students from the 2023 and 2024 batches.
Students from the 2023 batch received approximately 72,6 million VND, covering two academic years. The subsequent 2024 batch received 36,3 million VND for 10 months of the 2024-2025 academic year.
This disbursement follows widespread frustration among many pedagogy students at the university who had not received the monthly 3,63 million VND living expense support, as stipulated by the government's Decree 116. The delay caused significant financial pressure, especially since many students initially chose the major due to this promised aid.
The university explained the delay in disbursement was due to complications in determining training quotas, as well as challenges in funding allocation and disbursement from various departments and agencies within Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM).
Saigon University students, 1/2024. Photo: Q.Thang |
According to the government's Decree 116, pedagogy students are categorized into three groups: those trained according to social demand; those under assigned tasks, orders, or tenders; and self-funded students.
Students in the first two categories are exempt from tuition fees and receive monthly living expense support of 3,63 million VND, for a maximum of 10 months per academic year. This funding comes from the budgets of local authorities, ministries, and sectors, provided through commissioning agreements with educational institutions.
Trung Thong, a third-year political education student, expressed his delight upon receiving the funds after more than two years of waiting. Trung plans to send a portion to his parents to help with family living expenses during the year-end, while reserving another part for his second-semester tuition fees.
"This is a significant amount for my family, easing our financial burden and allowing us to focus on our studies", Thong said.
Le Nguyen
