Education has always been at the heart of Thien Chi’s mission. Every year, hundreds of children from disadvantaged families receive scholarships to help them stay in school and continue their studies. For many of them, this support makes the difference between dropping out and building a better future.
Two Types of Scholarships
Thien Chi provides two different kinds of scholarships, depending on the financial situation of each family:
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Monthly Scholarships: these are given to the very poorest families. Each student receives 300,000 VND per month.
This type of scholarship targets children whose families have extremely low and unstable incomes.
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Yearly Scholarships: once a year, at the beginning of the school year, other students receive a 700,000 VND grant to help them start the year properly, buy new uniforms, insurance and get their books and materials.
Both types of scholarships aim to relieve the financial burden of education and prevent families from having to withdraw their children from school, something that sadly happens too often in rural areas, especially at the high school level.
The Selection Process
The selection of scholarship recipients is a long and careful process.
Every May, each region receives a list of about 200 potential candidates proposed by schools and local authorities. Over the following months, Thien Chi’s staff and local community representatives visit the families one by one.
They check the family’s living conditions, talk with parents and teachers, and assess whether the scholarship would truly make a difference for the child.
If a case seems less urgent, and another student’s situation is more critical, the list is adjusted accordingly.
This ensures that each scholarship goes to the student who needs it the most.
Finally, in September/ October, at the start of the new school year, the scholarships are officially handed out during ceremonies organized with the schools and local authorities.
Why It Matters
In rural areas in Vietnam, education cost can represent up to 50–60% of a family’s income. Many parents cannot afford to pay for school fees, uniforms, and accommodation for their children. As a result, some teenagers drop out to help their families by working instead.
By providing these scholarships, Thien Chi helps reduce school drop-out rates and ensures that children from poor and vulnerable households have the chance to continue learning and dreaming of a better future.
A Collective Effort
Thien Chi’s scholarship program is also supported by the local government, private donors, and community initiatives.
Each year, just before the start of the school year, a solidarity run is organized in the region. The funds collected are shared, 50% for Thien Chi and 50% for local authorities, to finance new scholarships.
Thanks to this collaboration, between 800 and 1,200 scholarships are distributed every year across the three regions where Thien Chi operates.
In Short
Behind every scholarship, there’s a story, a child who can continue school, a parent who worries less, and a community that believes in the power of education.
It’s not just about money; it’s about hope, opportunity, and the belief that education can truly change lives.
Learn more about this program: https://thienchicenter.org/article/scholarships-3041.html
Leticia