Joint Circular No. 29/2010/TTLT-BGDĐT-BTC-BLĐTBXH guiding the implementation of certain provisions of Government Decree No. 49/2010/NĐ-CP dated May 14, 2010 on exemption, reduction of tuition fees, support for living expenses, and mechanisms for collecting and using tuition fees for educational institutions under the national education system from the academic year 2010-2011 to 2014-2015.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for implementing certain provisions of Decree No. 49/2010/NĐ-CP dated May 14, 2010 of the Government on exemption, reduction of tuition fees, support for educational expenses, and mechanisms for collecting and using tuition fees for educational institutions under the national education system from the academic year 2010-2011 to the academic year 2014-2015 Pursuant to Decree No. 49/2010/NĐ-CP dated May 14, 2010 of the Government on exemption, reduction of tuition fees, support for educational expenses, and mechanisms for collecting and using tuition fees for educational institutions under the national education system from the academic year 2010-2011 to the academic year 2014-2015; The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs hereby issue guidelines for implementing certain provisions of Decree No. 49/2010/NĐ-CP dated May 14, 2010 of the Government on exemption, reduction of tuition fees, support for educational expenses, and mechanisms for collecting and using tuition fees for educational institutions under the national education system from the academic year 2010-2011 to the academic year 2014-2015 (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 49) as follows: 1. These guidelines shall provide guidance on Article 4 regarding those exempted from tuition fees; Article 5 regarding those eligible for reduced tuition fees; Article 6 regarding those eligible for support for educational expenses; Clause 2 and 3 of Article 7 concerning mechanisms for exemption, reduction of tuition fees, and support for educational expenses; Clause 3 and 4 of Article 11 concerning the tuition fee framework for preschool and general education; and Clause 1, 2, and 3 of Article 12 concerning tuition fees for vocational and higher education under Decree No. 49.2. These guidelines apply to all types of schools at various levels of education and training and other educational institutions within the national education system.

 _______________________

Pursuant to Decree No. 32/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 19, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to the Decree No. 118/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 27, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

Pursuant to Decree No. 186/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 25, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs;

Article 2. Guidance on Articles 4, 5, and 6 of Decree No. 49

1. Those eligible for exemption from tuition fees:

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

a) Persons with meritorious service to the revolution and their dependents according to the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for Persons with Meritorious Service to the Revolution No. 26/2005/PL-UBTVQH11 dated June 29, 2005. Specifically:

- Heroes of People's Armed Forces, Heroes of Labor in the Resistance War; war invalids, persons enjoying benefits equivalent to war invalids, class B war invalids (hereinafter collectively referred to as war invalids);

- Children of persons who were active in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945; children of persons who were active in revolutionary activities from January 1, 1945 to before the August 19 Revolution in 1945; children of Heroes of People's Armed Forces, children of Heroes of Labor in the Resistance War; children of martyrs; children of war invalids, children of disabled veterans; children of persons who participated in the resistance and were exposed to toxic chemicals.

b) Preschool children and students whose parents are registered residents in border communes, highland areas, coastal islands, and communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions. The determination of border communes, highland areas, coastal islands, and communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions shall be based on current regulations. Specifically:

- Border communes: Communes bordering the national land boundary inland from the national land boundary up to the commune administrative boundaries that coincide with the national land boundary; communes bordering the sea inland from the national maritime boundary up to the commune administrative boundaries adjacent to the sea and islands, archipelagos; the list of communes in border areas inland and on the coast is stipulated in the Government Decrees promulgating the Regulations on Border Areas.

- Highland communes according to the following decisions:

+ Decision No. 21/UB-QĐ dated January 26, 1993 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing communes, districts, and provinces as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 33/UB-QĐ dated June 4, 1993 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing communes, districts, and provinces as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 08/UB-QĐ dated March 4, 1994 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing communes, districts, and provinces as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 64/UB-QĐ dated August 26, 1995 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing communes, districts, and provinces as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 68/UB-QĐ dated August 9, 1997 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing communes, districts, and provinces as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 42/UB-QĐ dated May 23, 1997 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing three regions as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 26/QĐ-UB dated March 18, 1998 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing three regions as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 363/2005/QĐ-UBDT dated August 15, 2005 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities recognizing communes, districts, and provinces as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 172/2006/QĐ-UBDT dated July 7, 2006 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities recognizing communes, districts, and provinces as mountainous and highland areas;

+ Decision No. 01/2007/QĐ-UBDT dated May 31, 2007 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities recognizing communes and districts as mountainous and highland areas due to adjustments in administrative boundaries;

+ Decision No. 61/QĐ-UBDT dated March 12, 2009 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities recognizing communes and districts as mountainous and highland areas due to adjustments in administrative boundaries;

- Coastal island communes according to the following decisions:

+ Decision No. 106/2004/QĐ-TTg dated June 11, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the list of communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions in coastal areas and islands;

+ Decision No. 113/2007/QĐ-TTg dated July 20, 2007 of the Prime Minister approving the list of communes that have completed the objectives of the Program for Economic and Social Development of Ethnic Minority and Highland Communities, Border Areas, and Remote Areas during the period 1999-2005, supplementing communes, villages, and hamlets into the scope of investment of the Program 135 Phase II and coastal communes into the scope of investment of the National Target Program on Poverty Reduction during the period 2006-2010.

- Communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions according to the following decisions:

+ Decision No. 106/2004/QĐ-TTg dated June 11, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the list of communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions in coastal areas and islands;

+ Decision No. 164/2006/QĐ-TTg dated July 11, 2006 of the Prime Minister approving the list of communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions, border communes, and safe area communes for investment under the Program for Economic and Social Development of Communes with Extremely Difficult Socio-Economic Conditions in Ethnic Minority and Highland Areas during the period 2006-2010 (Program 135 Phase II). The Prime Minister approves the list of particularly disadvantaged communes in coastal areas and islands;

+ Decision No. 113/2007/QD-TTg dated July 20, 2007 of the Prime Minister on approving the list of communes that have completed the targets of the Socio-Economic Development Program for ethnic minority and mountainous, border, and remote area communes during the period 1999-2005, supplementing communes, villages, and hamlets to be invested under the Program 135 Phase II and coastal and island communes to be invested under the National Target Program on Poverty Reduction for the period 2006-2010.

- Communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions as prescribed in the following Decisions:

+ Decision No. 106/2004/QD-TTg dated June 11, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the list of particularly disadvantaged communes in coastal areas and islands;

+ Decision No. 164/2006/QD-TTg dated July 11, 2006 of the Prime Minister on approving the list of particularly disadvantaged communes, border communes, and safe zone communes to be invested under the Socio-Economic Development Program for particularly disadvantaged communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2006-2010 (Program 135 Phase II);

Decision No. 113/2007/QĐ-TTg dated July 20, 2007 of the Government Chairman on approving the list of communes that have completed the objectives of the Socio-Economic Development Program for ethnic minority and mountainous areas, border regions, and remote areas during the period 1999-2005, supplementing communes, villages, and hamlets to be invested in under Phase II of the Program 135 and coastal and island communes to be invested in under the National Target Program to Reduce Poverty for the period 2006-2010;

Decision No. 05/2007/QĐ-UBDT dated September 6, 2007 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas recognizing three regions of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas according to their level of development;

Decision No. 01/2008/QĐ-UBDT dated January 11, 2008 of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas approving the list of particularly difficult hamlets in Commune Zone II to be invested in under Phase II of Program 135;

Decision No. 69/2008/QĐ-TTg dated May 28, 2008 of the Government Chairman on approving the supplementary list of particularly difficult communes, border communes, and safe area communes to be invested in under Phase II of Program 135 and the list of communes removed from investment under Phase II of Program 135;

Resolution No. 30a/2008/NQ-CP dated December 27, 2008 of the Government on the Program to support rapid and sustainable poverty reduction for 61 poor districts;

c) Children attending kindergarten and students, including orphans without guardianship or those with disabilities who face economic difficulties. Specifically:

- Children attending kindergarten and students who are orphans without guardianship; - Children attending kindergarten and students with disabilities facing economic difficulties as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree No. 116/2004/NĐ-CP dated April 23, 2004 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 81/CP dated November 23, 1995 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Labor Code regarding disabled workers. The determination of individuals facing economic difficulties shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 27/2007/TT-BLĐTBXH dated November 30, 2007 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs guiding the procedures for confirming individuals eligible for loans under Decision No. 157/2007/QĐ-TTg dated September 27, 2007 of

d) Abandoned children or those deprived of care; children who are orphans of one parent but the remaining parent is missing as provided for in Article 78 of the Civil Code or lacks the capacity to provide care as provided for by law; children whose parents or one parent are currently serving a prison sentence at a detention center and have no caregiver; Individuals aged between 16 and under 18 years old who are still attending school or vocational training and are in similar circumstances as mentioned above.

đ) Children attending kindergarten and primary and secondary school whose parents belong to households classified as poor according to the applicable criteria. The poverty standard is implemented in accordance with the provisions of

e) Children attending kindergarten and primary and secondary school who are children of non-commissioned officers and soldiers, and combatants serving a fixed-term in the People's Armed Forces: as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 5 of Joint Circular No. 04/2009/TTLT-BCA-BTC dated April 14, 2009 of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Finance guiding the implementation of Decree No. 54/2008/NĐ-CP dated April 24, 2008 of the Government on the system of benefits and policies for relatives of non-commissioned officers and soldiers serving a fixed-term in the People's Public Security Force and Point 1.1, Section 1, Part II of Joint Circular No. 181/2007/TTLT-BQP-BTC dated December 4, 2007 of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance guiding the implementation of Decree No. 106/2007/NĐ-CP dated June 22, 2007 of the Government on the system of benefits and policies for families of non-commissioned officers and soldiers on active duty.

Students enrolled in special admission programs (including vocational students living in dormitories with a training duration of three months or more) as stipulated in Decree No. 134/2006/NĐ-CP dated November 14, 2006 of the Government on the system of special admissions to higher education institutions and intermediate-level vocational schools within the national education system and Joint Circular No. 13/2008/TTLT-BGDĐT-BLĐTBXH-BTC-BNV-UBDT dated April 7, 2008 of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas guiding the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 134/2006/NĐ-CP.

Students attending boarding schools for ethnic minorities, preparatory high schools, and preparatory university departments.

Students at vocational education and higher education institutions belonging to ethnic minority households classified as poor or with income not exceeding 150% of the poverty threshold. The determination of households with income not exceeding 150% of the poverty threshold shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 27/2007/TT-BLĐTBXH dated November 30, 2007 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs guiding the procedures for confirming individuals eligible for loans under Decision No. 157/2007/QĐ-TTg dated September 27, 2007 of

2. Subjects eligible for reduced tuition fees:

a) Subjects eligible for a 70% reduction in tuition fees include: students majoring in royal court music, cheo opera, tuong drama, cải lương (reformed theater), dance, circus, and some heavy and hazardous majors and trades. Specifically:

- Majors in royal court music, cheo opera, tuong drama, cải lương (reformed theater), dance, and circus: as stipulated in Decision No. 82/2005/QĐ-TTg dated April 18, 2005 of the Government Chairman on preferential treatment for students majoring in traditional and unique arts in cultural and artistic schools;

- Heavy and hazardous majors and trades as stipulated in the following decisions:

+ Decision No. 1453/LĐTBXH-QĐ dated October 13, 1995 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on temporarily promulgating the list of particularly heavy and hazardous jobs and trades;

+ Decision No. 915/LĐTBXH-QĐ dated July 30, 1996 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on temporarily promulgating the list of particularly heavy and hazardous jobs and trades;

+ Decision No. 1629/LĐTBXH-QĐ dated December 26, 1996 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on temporarily promulgating the list of heavy and hazardous jobs and trades and particularly heavy and hazardous jobs and trades;

+ Decision No. 190/1999/QĐ-LĐTBXH dated March 3, 1999 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on temporarily promulgating lists of particularly heavy and hazardous jobs and trades.

Decision No. 1580/2000/QĐ-LĐTBXH dated December 26, 2000, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on the issuance of a provisional list of particularly arduous, hazardous, and dangerous occupations and arduous, hazardous, and dangerous occupations.

Decision No. 1152/2003/QĐ-LĐTBXH dated September 18, 2003, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on the issuance of a provisional list of particularly arduous, hazardous, and dangerous occupations and arduous, hazardous, and dangerous occupations.

b) Groups eligible for a 50% reduction in tuition fees include:

- Preschool children and students whose parents are civil servants, workers, or employees and who have been granted regular allowances due to work-related accidents or occupational diseases;

- Children attending kindergarten and students at general secondary schools whose parents belong to households with maximum income equal to 150% of the poverty line as stipulated in Point i Clause 1 of this Article.

- Students graduating from junior high school who enroll in vocational training.

3. Recipients of educational cost support.

a) Children attending kindergarten and students at general secondary schools whose parents are registered residents in border communes, mountainous areas, islands, and communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions. The identification of border communes, mountainous areas, islands, and communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions shall be determined according to Point b Clause 1 of this Article.

b) Children attending kindergarten and students at general secondary schools who are orphans without guardianship or have disabilities and economic difficulties. The identification of children attending kindergarten and students at general secondary schools who are orphans without guardianship or have disabilities and economic difficulties shall be determined according to Point c Clause 1 of this Article.

c) Children attending kindergarten and students at general secondary schools whose parents belong to households classified as poor according to state regulations, not included in the communes specified in Point a Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 3. Guidance for Clause 2, Clause 3 of Article 7 of Decree No. 49.

1. Reimbursement of tuition fees for public kindergartens and general secondary schools with recipients eligible for exemption or reduction of tuition fees:

a) Procedures, formalities, and documents:

Within thirty days from the start of the academic year, parents (or legal guardians) of children attending public kindergartens and general secondary schools must submit a request for exemption or reduction of tuition fees (using the form attached as Appendix I) to the kindergarten or general secondary school along with a certified copy of one of the following documents:

+ A certificate confirming eligibility under Point a Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular issued by the management agency for persons with meritorious service and the People's Committee of the commune (as stipulated in Subpoint a Point 2.1 Clause 2 Section III of Circular No. 16/2006/TTLT/BLĐTBXH-BGDĐT-BTC dated November 20, 2006, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Finance guiding preferential policies in education and training for persons with meritorious service and their children);

+ Household registration book for the household of the individual eligible under Point b Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular;

+ A copy of the Decision on social assistance issued by the Chairman of the District People's Committee (currently according to Model No. 5 of Circular No. 24/2010/TTLT-BLĐTBXH-BTC dated August 18, 2010, issued jointly by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance) for individuals eligible under Point c Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular, which are children attending kindergarten and students who are orphans without guardianship; a certificate from a district hospital, county hospital, town hospital, or the review board of the commune, ward, or town for individuals eligible under Point c Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular, which are children attending kindergarten and students with disabilities and economic difficulties;

+ The People's Committee of the commune confirms eligibility for individuals under Point d Clause 1 of this Circular;

+ A certificate of poverty and a household with maximum income equal to 150% of the poverty line issued by the People's Committee of the commune for individuals eligible under Point đ Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular.

b) Disbursement method:

The funding for the policy of reimbursing tuition fees for public kindergartens and general secondary schools will be balanced within the annual budget allocation for these institutions. The allocation of the annual budget for implementing the policy of reimbursing tuition fees for public kindergartens and general secondary schools will be carried out simultaneously with the annual state budget allocation at the local level, where when allocating the budget to public kindergartens and general secondary schools, it must clearly specify the budget for implementing the policy of reimbursing tuition fees for students eligible for exemption or reduction of tuition fees (number of students) currently enrolled in public kindergartens and general secondary schools.

When withdrawing the budget for reimbursing tuition fees exempted or reduced, public kindergartens and general secondary schools must send the State Treasury Office where the unit conducts transactions a summary of the request for reimbursement of tuition fees exempted or reduced (including the following contents: Name of the student eligible for exemption or reduction of tuition fees currently enrolled in the school; the school's tuition fee rate; the amount of tuition fee exempted or reduced and the total financial needs requested for reimbursement) accompanied by complete documentation (photocopies) confirming the eligibility for exemption or reduction of tuition fees as stipulated in Point a Clause 1 of this Article.

The state budget funds allocated for reimbursing tuition fees exempted or reduced for public kindergartens and general secondary schools with eligible recipients are recorded in the tuition fee revenue account of these institutions and can be autonomously managed according to current regulations on the financial autonomy system of public service units.

c) Time of entitlement: based on the number of months of actual schooling starting from July 1, 2010.

2. Reimbursement of tuition fees (at the level of public schools in the region) for students who are children of persons with meritorious service to the country and other policy beneficiaries specified in Points b, c, d, đ, e Clause 1 and Point b Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular attending kindergarten and general secondary schools outside the public sector. The policy beneficiaries specified in Points b, c Clause 1 and Point b Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular include:

- Children attending kindergarten and students whose parents are registered residents in border communes, mountainous areas, islands, and communes with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions;

- Children attending kindergarten and students who are orphans without guardianship or have disabilities and economic difficulties;

- Children attending kindergarten and students whose parents are civil servants, workers, or employees who suffer work-related accidents or occupational diseases and are entitled to regular allowances; - Children attending kindergarten and students at general secondary schools whose parents belong to households with maximum income equal to 150% of the poverty line.

a) Procedures, formalities, and documents:

Within thirty days from the start of the school year, parents (or guardians) of children attending kindergarten and students at non-state primary and secondary schools must submit an application form confirmed by the school (in accordance with Appendix II) to:

- The Department of Education and Training for children attending kindergarten and students in lower secondary schools.

- The Provincial Department of Education and Training for students in upper secondary schools. Accompanying this submission shall be a certified copy of one of the following documents:

+ A certificate confirming eligibility under Point a Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular issued by the management agency for persons with meritorious service and the People's Committee of the commune (as stipulated in Subpoint a Point 2.1 Clause 2 Section III of Circular No. 16/2006/TTLT/BLĐTBXH-BGDĐT-BTC dated November 20, 2006, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Finance guiding preferential policies in education and training for persons with meritorious service and their children);

+ Household registration book for permanent residence of the household for the subjects specified in Point b Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular;

+ A certified copy of the Decision on social assistance issued by the Chairman of the District People's Committee (currently according to Model No. 5 of Circular No. 24/2010/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BTC dated August 18, 2010 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance) for the subjects specified in Point c Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular, which are children attending kindergarten and orphaned students without parental support; a confirmation letter from a district, county, or town hospital or from the Verification Board of commune, ward, or town for the subjects specified in Point c Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular, who are children attending kindergarten and disabled students with economic difficulties;

+ Confirmation by the Commune People's Committee for the subjects specified in Point d Clause 1 of this Circular;

+ A certificate of poverty and a household income not exceeding 150% of the poverty line issued by the Commune People's Committee for the subjects specified in Point e Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular;

+ A certified copy of the monthly social security benefit receipt issued by the social insurance organization due to work-related accidents for the subjects specified in Point b Clause 2 Article 2 of this Circular.

Non-state educational institutions are responsible for confirming applications for tuition fee subsidies for children attending kindergarten and students in primary and secondary schools within thirty days from the start of the new semester.

b) Method of payment:

- The Department of Education and Training is responsible for managing and organizing direct cash payments of tuition fee subsidies to parents (or guardians) of children attending kindergarten and students in lower secondary schools.

- The Provincial Department of Education and Training is responsible for managing and organizing direct cash payments of tuition fee subsidies to parents (or guardians) of students in upper secondary schools.

Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete applications for tuition fee subsidies as stipulated in Point a Clause 2 of this Article, the Department of Education and Training or the Provincial Department of Education and Training shall be responsible for making payments for tuition fee subsidies to the families of learners in accordance with regulations (In case of incomplete or invalid applications, the Department of Education and Training or the Provincial Department of Education and Training shall notify the families of learners within seven days from the date of receiving complete applications).

- Tuition fee subsidies shall be paid out over nine months of the academic year and implemented twice a year: The first payment covers four months in September or October; the second payment covers five months in March or April.

- In cases where parents (or guardians) of children attending kindergarten and students in primary and secondary schools have not received the tuition fee subsidies within the prescribed time limit, they may claim the subsidy in the next payment period.

c) Time of entitlement: based on the number of months of actual schooling starting from July 1, 2010.

3. Direct payment of financial support for tuition fee exemptions and reductions for eligible subjects studying regular programs at vocational education and higher education public institutions.

a) Procedures, formalities, and documents:

Within thirty days from the start of the semester, students must submit an application for financial support for tuition fee exemptions and reductions (in accordance with Appendix III), confirmed by vocational education and higher education public institutions, to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of the district, accompanied by a certified copy of one of the following documents:

+ A certificate confirming eligibility under Point a Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular issued by the management agency for persons with meritorious service and the People's Committee of the commune (as stipulated in Subpoint a Point 2.1 Clause 2 Section III of Circular No. 16/2006/TTLT/BLĐTBXH-BGDĐT-BTC dated November 20, 2006, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Finance guiding preferential policies in education and training for persons with meritorious service and their children);

+ Household registration book for permanent residence of the household for the subjects specified in Point b Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular;

+ A certified copy of the Decision on social assistance issued by the Chairman of the District People's Committee (currently according to Model No. 5 of Circular No. 24/2010/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BTC dated August 18, 2010 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance) for the subjects specified in Point c Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular, which are orphaned students without parental support; a confirmation letter from a district, county, or town hospital or from the Verification Board of commune, ward, or town for the subjects specified in Point c Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular, who are disabled students with economic difficulties;

+ A certificate of poverty and a household income not exceeding 150% of the poverty line issued by the Commune People's Committee for the subjects specified in Point i Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular;

+ A confirmation letter of hazardous industry or profession issued by vocational education and higher education public institutions for the subjects specified in Point a Clause 2 of this Circular;

+ A confirmation letter from vocational education and higher education public institutions for students graduating from lower secondary school and enrolling in vocational training (accompanied by a copy of the lower secondary school graduation certificate) as specified in Point b Clause 2 of this Circular;

+ A certified copy of the monthly social security benefit receipt issued by the social insurance organization due to work-related accidents for the subjects specified in Point b Clause 2 Article 2 of this Circular.

- Vocational education and higher education public institutions are responsible for confirming applications for financial support for tuition fee exemptions and reductions (in accordance with Appendix III) for students eligible for tuition fee exemptions and reductions within thirty days after the end of the semester for currently enrolled students (for newly enrolled students, confirmation shall be made within seven days from the date of enrollment) to be submitted to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of the district as the basis for payment of financial support for tuition fee exemptions and reductions.

b) Disbursement method:

- The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs is responsible for managing and organizing direct cash payments of tuition fee subsidies to parents of students studying at vocational education and higher education public institutions. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete applications for tuition fee subsidies as stipulated in Point a Clause 3 of this Article, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall be responsible for making payments for tuition fee subsidies to the families of learners in accordance with regulations (In case of incomplete or invalid applications, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall notify the families of learners within seven days from the date of receiving complete applications).

- The amount of support for tuition exemption and reduction shall be granted as follows:

+ For full-time students at vocational education institutions and public higher education institutions: grant ten months per year according to the following schedule: The first installment is granted in September or October each year; The second installment is granted in March or April each year.

+ For regular vocational students and short-term training courses: provide the maximum amount based on the ceiling of tuition fees for public vocational colleges as stipulated in Decree 49 and grant according to the number of months of actual study.

In cases where the families of students have not received the support for tuition exemption and reduction within the prescribed time limit, they may claim it in the next payment period. If students are suspended from or expelled from school due to disciplinary action, the vocational education institution or higher education institution where the students are studying shall notify the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to stop the payment. When students are re-admitted after the disciplinary period, as confirmed by the vocational education institution or higher education institution, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs will continue to make payments.

c) Time of entitlement: based on the number of months of actual schooling starting from July 1, 2010.

4. Direct support for educational expenses for the subjects as provided for in Article 6 of Decree 49.

a) Procedures, formalities, and documents:

Within thirty days from the start of the academic year, parents (or guardians) of preschool children and primary and secondary school students who wish to apply for educational expense support (using the application form in Appendix IV) shall submit their applications to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs along with a certified copy of one of the following documents:

+ Household registration book for permanent residence of the household for the subjects specified in Point b Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular;

+ A certified copy of the Decision on social assistance issued by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the district (currently according to Form No. 5 of Circular No. 24/2010/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BTC dated August 18, 2010, jointly issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance) for the subject defined in Point c Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular, which are preschool children and primary and secondary school students who are orphans without a place to stay; a certificate from a district hospital or commune health center or a confirmation from the Commune Review Board for the subject defined in Point c Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular, which are preschool children and primary and secondary school students with disabilities or impairments facing economic difficulties;

+ A poverty certificate issued by the People's Committee of the commune for the subject defined in Point d Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular.

b) Disbursement method:

- The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs is responsible for managing and settling the budget for educational expense support for parents of students and authorizing the People's Committee of the commune to organize the payment of educational expense support to the families of learners.

- Not later than fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete applications for educational expense support as stipulated in Point a Clause 4 of this Article, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall transfer the funds for educational expense support together with a detailed list of the number of beneficiaries to the People's Committee of the commune or schools (where the learners belong to the supported group) to make payments to the families of learners (the aforementioned list must be publicly announced in the locality).

- The payment of educational expense support shall be made fully over nine months of the academic year and implemented twice a year: The first payment covers four months in October or November; The second payment covers five months in March or April.

In cases where parents (or guardians) of preschool children and primary and secondary school students have not received the educational expense support within the prescribed time limit, they may claim it in the next payment period.

c) Time of entitlement: based on the number of months of actual study starting from January 1, 2011.

Article 4. Sources of funds and work on preparing budgets, allocating, and settling accounts for funds to pay tuition subsidies and support educational expenses

1. Funding sources:

The source of funds for implementing the payment of tuition subsidy and support for educational expenses as stipulated in this Circular shall be balanced within the annual state budget for public education expenditure of localities. The central budget will support localities with difficulties that have not yet achieved budget balance.

For the year 2010, the central budget will ensure funding for localities that have not yet achieved budget balance to implement policies:

- Subsidizing tuition fees (at the level of public schools in the region) for students who are children of those who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution, policy beneficiaries studying at private kindergartens and primary-secondary schools;

- Directly providing financial support for tuition fee exemptions and reductions for eligible recipients studying at vocational education institutions and public higher education institutions;

- The period for calculating the amount of financial support based on the actual number of months of study starting from July 1, 2010.

2. Preparing budgets, allocating, and settling accounts for funds to pay tuition subsidies and support for educational expenses: Annually, based on the Directive of

a) Subsidizing tuition fees for public pre-school and general education institutions with eligible recipients for tuition fee exemptions and reductions.

Public pre-school and general education institutions base on the tuition fee levels set by the Provincial People's Council and the number of eligible recipients for tuition fee exemptions and reductions to prepare lists, build budget estimates, and request tuition fee subsidies (accompanied by confirmation documents of eligible recipients as stipulated in point a, Clause 1, Article 3 of this Circular) as follows:

- For kindergartens and junior high schools: send to the district education and training department for consolidation, review, and submission to the finance authority at the same level as the basis for consolidating, reviewing, and allocating budget estimates.

- For high schools and other educational institutions under the provincial education and training department: send to the provincial education and training department for consolidation, review, and submission to the finance authority at the same level as the basis for consolidating, reviewing, and allocating budget estimates.

b) Subsidizing tuition fees (at the level of public schools in the region) for students who are children of those who have rendered meritorious service to the country, policy beneficiaries studying at private kindergartens and primary-secondary schools.

- The district education and training department bases on the tuition fee levels of public kindergartens and junior high schools in the region set by the Provincial People's Council and the number of eligible recipients for tuition fee exemptions and reductions currently studying at private kindergartens and junior high schools in the area to prepare lists (accompanied by confirmation documents of eligible recipients as stipulated in point a, Clause 2, Article 3 of this Circular) for consolidation, review, and building budget estimates to submit to the finance authority at the same level as the basis for allocating budget estimates.

- The provincial education and training department bases on the tuition fee levels of public high schools in the region set by the Provincial People's Council and the number of eligible recipients for tuition fee exemptions and reductions currently studying at private high schools in the area to prepare lists (accompanied by confirmation documents of eligible recipients as stipulated in point a, Clause 2, Article 3 of this Circular) for consolidation, review, and building budget estimates to submit to the finance authority at the same level as the basis for allocating budget estimates.

c) Directly providing financial support for tuition fee exemptions and reductions for eligible recipients studying regular programs at vocational education institutions and public higher education institutions.

The district labor, invalids, and social affairs department bases on the maximum tuition fee levels corresponding to each training program as stipulated in Decree 49 and the number of eligible recipients for tuition fee exemptions and reductions to prepare lists (accompanied by confirmation documents of eligible recipients as stipulated in point a, Clause 3, Article 3 of this Circular) for consolidation, review, and building budget estimates to submit to the finance authority at the same level as the basis for allocating funds.

d) Directly supporting educational expenses for eligible recipients as stipulated in Article 6 of Decree 49.

The district labor, invalids, and social affairs department bases on the educational expense support levels as stipulated in Decree 49 (70,000 VND/student/month for purchasing books, stationery, and other supplies...) and the number of eligible recipients for educational expense support to prepare lists (accompanied by confirmation documents of eligible recipients as stipulated in point a, Clause 4, Article 3 of this Circular) for consolidation, review, and building budget estimates to submit to the finance authority at the same level as the basis for allocating funds.

e) Authorities responsible for building, consolidating, and managing funds for paying tuition subsidies and supporting educational expenses as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article shall submit budget estimates for implementing these policies to the finance authority at the same level before May 31 to consolidate within the projected budget requirements for state budget expenditures of the locality to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance.

g) Based on the decision on allocating the state budget as

h) Compliance with the budget and settlement of accounts.

Compliance with the budget and settlement of accounts for funds to pay tuition subsidies and support for educational expenses shall be carried out according to the current provisions of the State Budget Law, guiding documents of the Law, and the current State Budget Manual.

3. The regulations on tuition subsidies and support for educational expenses stipulated in this Circular only apply to learners who are eligible for tuition fee exemptions and reductions and educational expense support during their period of study. In cases where learners who are eligible for tuition fee exemptions and reductions and educational expense support do not submit complete necessary documents as required by this Circular during their study period, they will only be entitled to tuition fee exemptions and reductions and educational expense support from the date when the competent authority at the locality receives complete documents until the end of the course; no retroactive payment for tuition fee exemptions and reductions and educational expense support for the time already studied before the submission of complete necessary documents will be granted.

Article 5. Guidance for Clause 3 of Article 11 and Clauses 1, 2, 3 of Article 12 of Decree No. 49.

Based on the tuition fee framework prescribed in Point 1 of Article 11 and the maximum tuition fee levels set out in Points 1, 2, 3 of Article 12 of Decree No. 49, the People's Committee at provincial level shall submit to the People's Council at the same level to establish specific annual tuition fees (for schools managed by localities) that are appropriate to each region; consistent with educational levels and training qualifications (preschool education, general education, vocational education, higher education, and postgraduate education); and suitable for different fields of study and forms of education (regular education and continuing education).

Article 6. Guidance for Clause 4 of Article 11 of Decree No. 49.

Public preschools and primary-secondary schools implementing high-quality programs may independently establish corresponding tuition fee levels to cover training costs, report to the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and relevant management agencies for review and approval by the People's Committee at provincial level.

Vocational education institutions and public higher education institutions implementing high-quality programs may independently establish corresponding tuition fee levels to cover training costs, report to the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for approval.

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs will issue separate documents regarding criteria for high-quality programs suitable for each educational level and training qualification as a basis for implementation.

Article 7. Publicizing Tuition Fees

Educational institutions shall publicly disclose tuition fees according to the provisions of Circular No. 09/2009/TT-BGDĐT dated May 7, 2009, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on the issuance of regulations on publicizing information for educational institutions within the national education system, specifically as follows: Preschool education institutions are defined in Points a, b of Clause 2 of Article 5; General education institutions are defined in Points a, b of Clause 2 of Article 7; Vocational education and higher education institutions are defined in Points a, b of Clause 3 of Article 13.

Article 8. Implementation organization

This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2011. Previous regulations contrary to this Circular are hereby abolished.

Subjects eligible for tuition exemption and financial support under this Circular who simultaneously benefit from multiple support policies shall only be entitled to the highest preferential treatment.

Students eligible for tuition exemption or reduction who simultaneously attend multiple schools (or multiple departments within the same school) shall only enjoy the preferential treatment of tuition exemption or reduction at one school.

The preferential treatment of tuition exemption or reduction shall not apply to students eligible for such exemptions or reductions if they have already received these benefits at one educational institution and continue their studies at another institution of the same level and training qualification.

During implementation, if the regulatory documents cited for application in this Joint Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced by new documents, then the new documents shall be applied.

During implementation, if there are any difficulties, please reflect them to the Ministry of Education and Training for coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to consider and resolve.