support to economically disadvantaged students since its founding in 2002. By merging financial scholarships with capacity-building programs, the organization addresses both pressing fiscal barriers and sustained growth needs.
### Origins and Objective https://viethope.com.vn/
Established in 2002 by overseas Vietnamese students at Harvard University, VietHope worked to address structural academic inequities in Vietnam. The organization’s goal—to enable low-income students through opportunities to schooling—arises from acknowledgement that monetary hardship remains the primary barrier to educational persistence.
### Initiatives and Impact
1. Postsecondary Scholarship Program (Undergraduate Scholarship Program):
– Offers $300–$400 per year
– Awardees are required to show scholastic merit (base GPA of 3.0)
– Gradual funding framework motivates academic continuation
2. Merit Development Program (MDP):
– Provides $150 USD yearly grants
– Contains professional training and occupational counseling
Results:
– University graduation: 91% vs. 74% countrywide
– Science/Technology participation: 68% vs. 42% national
