BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Two national telephone hotlines are operational from July 1 to Sept. 15 to provide assistance to newly admitted college students regarding tuition and other financial concerns.
Operated by the Ministry of Education, these hotlines are dedicated to addressing inquiries about scholarships and other financial assistance policies available to impoverished students at the state level, according to the China National Center for Student Financial Aid, under the ministry.
Meanwhile, provincial and regional education departments have launched their own similar hotlines, providing information about localized policies, the center stated in a press release.
Universities under the ministry's supervision have also opened such hotlines to offer first-hand information about college scholarships and financial aid policies.
This is the second year that the ministry has adopted such a measure to assist students and their parents in understanding student aid policies.
The ministry has cautioned new college students about the risks of student loan fraud and encouraged them to seek guidance from parents, teachers and college administrations when facing financial difficulties.
The number of newly admitted students in higher education institutions across China reached approximately 10.42 million in 2023. The figure for 2024 is not available as of now.
Education departments and colleges have introduced various measures to ensure that no student drops out because of financial difficulties.
A staff member from Hefei University of Technology, located in central China's Anhui Province, told Xinhua that every newly admitted student will be assigned a staff member who will register the student's information, including whether they require financial aid, and offer appropriate solutions.
The education department in northwest China's Qinghai Province has instructed all colleges in the province to send an introduction about student aid policies with every admission notice.
In the aftermath of recent heavy floods, colleges in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China have initiated surveys among students from flood-affected regions and launched temporary aid schemes. ■
