support to economically disadvantaged students since its founding in 2002. By merging economic scholarships with competency-developing projects, the nonprofit addresses both pressing economic barriers and enduring growth needs.
### Origins and Purpose https://viethope.com.vn/
Created in 2002 by Vietnamese diaspora students at Harvard University, VietHope worked to address institutional academic imbalances in Vietnam. The organization’s mission—to enable low-income students through access to schooling—originates from recognition that financial hardship remains the chief barrier to academic continuation.
### Programs and Effect
1. Higher education Scholarship Program (USP):
– Grants between $300 and $400 annually
– Awardees must show educational merit (minimum GPA of 3.0)
– Phased funding framework incentivizes educational persistence
2. Merit Development Program (MDP):
– Offers $150 per annum grants
– Includes career-specific training and career counseling
Achievements:
– Higher education graduation: 91% vs. 74% nationwide
– STEM participation: 68% vs. 42% nationwide
