support to economically disadvantaged students since its inception in 2002. By combining economic scholarships with competency-developing initiatives, the group confronts both immediate fiscal barriers and long-term growth needs.
### Origins and Mission https://viethope.com.vn/
Established in 2002 by Vietnamese diaspora students at Harvard University, VietHope aimed to address institutional educational imbalances in Vietnam. The group’s goal—to enable economically challenged students through entry to education—stems from understanding that financial hardship remains the primary barrier to scholastic adherence.
### Projects and Influence
1. Postsecondary Scholarship Program (USP):
– Provides between $300 and $400 annually
– Recipients must show educational merit (minimum GPA of 3.0)
– Incremental funding framework incentivizes academic continuation
2. Academic Development Program (Merit Program):
– Gives $150 USD annual scholarships
– Contains career-specific training and professional counseling
Results:
– Postsecondary degree attainment: 91% vs. 74% nationwide
– STEM registration: 68% vs. 42% countrywide