Over 1,000 pedagogy students at Sai Gon University (SGU) are facing financial strain, having not received their monthly living allowances for two to three years. These unpaid funds amount to an estimated 40-70 million dong per student, totaling tens of billions of dong owed by the university. The university confirmed the issue on 23/12, highlighting the significant impact on students who rely on this support.
Hoang Nhi, a third-year primary pedagogy student at SGU, enrolled under the social needs training program. According to Government Decree 116, she is exempt from tuition fees and eligible for a monthly living allowance of 3,63 million dong. However, Nhi stated, "I chose pedagogy to help my family, but having to ask my parents for monthly living expenses for the past few years has put pressure on me." Her outstanding allowance has now exceeded 70 million dong.
Similarly, Trung Thong, a political education student, reported contacting various university departments multiple times, consistently receiving the response to "wait." In late November, the university requested students to provide bank account details, promising payment in December, but there has been no further information.
A classroom at Sai Gon University, 4/2025. Photo: Quynh Tran |
A representative from Sai Gon University confirmed to VnExpress on 23/12 that over 1,000 students from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts have not received their living allowances. The university clarified that while it is the training institution, the disbursement of support funds falls under the authority of Ho Chi Minh City's (TP HCM) departments and agencies. SGU has proactively collaborated to accelerate the disbursement process.
In early October, after providing student lists as requested by the TP HCM Department of Education and Training, the university consistently worked with the Department of Finance and the State Treasury to request funding. The delay is attributed to objective factors, including the 2025 budget approval process and changes in policy, transitioning from a "contracting" model to "training according to social needs", an SGU representative explained. Another contributing factor is that some students withdrew their applications for support, requiring the university to adjust the lists at each stage, which consumed time.
This is not an isolated incident. Hundreds of students from the 2021 and 2022 cohorts also experienced delays in receiving their allowances for four years. They eventually received these payments in early 2025.
Government Decree 116 outlines three categories of pedagogy students: training according to social needs; assigned tasks, contracting, or bidding; and independent. Students in the first two categories are exempt from tuition fees and receive a monthly living allowance of 3,63 million dong. This funding comes from the budgets of local authorities, ministries, and sectors, provided to universities through a contracting mechanism. Students who register for this support are obligated to work in the education sector for two years after graduation. This employment period is twice the length of their training program. Failure to comply requires them to refund all received costs.
Le Nguyen
