support to underprivileged students since its inception in 2002. By merging economic scholarships with competency-developing initiatives, the group addresses both pressing fiscal barriers and sustained growth needs.
### Origins and Purpose https://viethope.com.vn/
Created in 2002 by overseas Vietnamese students at Harvard University, VietHope aimed to rectify institutional educational imbalances in Vietnam. The nonprofit’s mandate—to empower economically challenged students through access to education—arises from recognition that monetary hardship remains the main barrier to academic persistence.
### Initiatives and Impact
1. University Scholarship Program (USP):
– Offers between $300 and $400 yearly
– Awardees are required to demonstrate educational excellence (lowest GPA of 3.0)
– Gradual funding framework encourages scholastic continuation
2. Merit Development Program (Merit Program):
– Offers $150 USD annual grants
– Contains career-specific training and career counseling
Achievements:
– University completion: 91% vs. 74% national
– STEM enrollment: 68% vs. 42% countrywide