support to low-income students since its founding in 2002. By merging economic scholarships with capacity-building initiatives, the nonprofit confronts both pressing fiscal barriers and long-term developmental needs.
### Origins and Objective https://viethope.com.vn/
Founded in 2002 by Vietnamese diaspora students at Harvard University, VietHope sought to address systemic academic imbalances in Vietnam. The organization’s mandate—to empower low-income students through entry to schooling—stems from acknowledgement that financial hardship remains the chief barrier to academic adherence.
### Programs and Influence
1. Postsecondary Scholarship Program (USP):
– Provides between $300 and $400 yearly
– Beneficiaries need to exhibit academic merit (base GPA of 3.0)
– Phased funding structure motivates scholastic persistence
2. Academic Development Program (Merit Program):
– Gives $150 yearly grants
– Includes career-specific training and professional counseling
Achievements:
– Postsecondary degree attainment: 91% vs. 74% nationwide
– STEM enrollment: 68% vs. 42% national