With the start of the new school year, Shenzhen's three major
institutions of higher education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen
Polytechnic and Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, have
started implementing the new loan program for under-privileged
college students.
Shenzhen University president Xie Weixin said the university would
take in about 4,300 new students this year, about 15 percent of
whom were from disadvantaged families.
"For those poorer students, we will provide a package program aimed
at helping them obtain bank loans as the registration for this
year's students starts Friday," Xie said.
The average annual tuition for students at the university cost
around 5,000 to 6,000 yuan (US$727), Xie said.
"We'll suggest students apply for bank loans every year based on
their family background. The highest amount they can apply for in
one year is 6,000 yuan," Xie said.
On Friday, the university, in cooperation with the city's banks,
will set up a service center to process loan applications from
students who can provide the necessary information.
For students whose applications are not accepted by banks on the
day of registration, the university will reduce or waive their
tuition, or deduct it from bank loans granted later.
During the past three years, more than 450 students from poor
families had received bank loans totaling 11 million yuan, Xie
said.
This year, the university will also create more than 300 jobs in
student dining halls or university libraries for poor students who
plan to work part-time on campus.
In the new school year, Shenzhen Polytechnic and Shenzhen Institute
of Information Technology will build up files for students from
poor families and help them apply for bank loans, special funds or
scholarships.
Shenzhen Polytechnic will also provide about 600 positions with a
minimum wage of eight yuan per hour for students who want to work
on campus.
(Shenzhen Daily September 8, 2004)