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On December 31, 2023, the Government issued Decree 238/2023/NĐ-CP to replace Decree 81/2021/NĐ-CP, introducing new regulations on tuition fee collection, management, and policies supporting students. These adjustments have drawn significant attention from parents, students, and educational institutions, as they directly affect tuition levels and support mechanisms throughout the learning process.
Below are the most notable changes of Decree 238 compared to Decree 81.
1. Adjusted Tuition Framework – More Specific and Easier to Apply
Decree 238 introduces a new tuition framework in which:
Maximum and minimum tuition levels are adjusted to better reflect current conditions
Public educational institutions are allowed to set specific tuition rates but must not exceed the framework
Certain priority fields are assigned lower tuition ranges
Compared to Decree 81, this update offers greater flexibility and practicality, ensuring fairness among academic disciplines and better alignment with regional living standards.
2. Expanded Eligibility for Tuition Exemption and Reduction
Decree 238 continues the exemption and reduction categories listed in Decree 81, while also expanding and clarifying the criteria to make these benefits more accessible to students.
Some notable updates include:
Clearer categorization of groups eligible for 70%, 50%, and 30% tuition reductions
Increased support levels for certain special groups
More specific regulations on documentation and procedures to reduce inconsistencies across institutions
Meaning: Students under policy-beneficiary categories will find it easier to access their entitlements, reducing situations where institutions interpret the rules differently.
3. Increased Financial Support for Disadvantaged Groups
One positive change is the increased monthly financial support for:
Orphaned students
Ethnic minority students from poor and near-poor households
Students living in extremely disadvantaged areas
Compared to Decree 81, the support levels under Decree 238 provide greater benefits, helping offset rising living and educational expenses.
4. More Transparency in Implementation Processes
Decree 238 adds requirements for educational institutions to:
Publicly disclose tuition revenue and expenditure
Explain tuition fee plans
Ensure transparency in identifying eligible beneficiaries
This represents an important step toward improving transparency, minimizing complaints, and building trust among students and parents.
5. Greater Institutional Autonomy – Paired with Stronger Accountability
While Decree 81 emphasized a gradually increasing tuition roadmap to align with financial autonomy, Decree 238:
Allows institutions to set tuition levels but requires them to align with general social income levels
Demands higher accountability to protect student rights
Requires schools to publicly disclose their student support activities
Thus, the new policy still encourages autonomy but ensures a balance so that the financial burden is not shifted onto students.
Decree 238 is more stabilizing, balanced, and student-centered compared to Decree 81. By expanding beneficiary groups and enhancing transparency, it strengthens protection for learners, reduces financial pressure, and improves access to education.
In the coming period, educational institutions will continue updating and implementing policies under Decree 238. Students should follow official announcements from their schools to fully understand their rights and available support.