Students will be exempt from tuition fees and textbook fees for the National Defense and Security Education course starting from the 2027-2028 academic year.

According to the Decree, starting from the 2027-2028 academic year, students studying at training institutions will be exempt from tuition fees for the first time taking the National Defense and Security Education course as part of the compulsory training program prescribed by the competent authority. Simultaneously, the free textbook for the National Defense and Security Education course will also be uniformly implemented nationwide for all students.

This policy is of significant importance to students, especially given the increasing financial burden of tuition, living expenses, and study materials on many families. The government's provision of free textbooks ensures a standardized and readily available source of learning materials, supporting teaching and learning according to the curriculum issued by competent authorities. This allows students to access consistent learning resources, reducing the need to search for fragmented, inconsistent, or unverified materials.

The decree also clearly stipulates the principles for applying the policy. If a student is eligible for multiple overlapping state support policies, they will only be entitled to the policy with the highest support level or the longest support period. The tuition fee exemption policy does not apply to students retaking the National Defense and Security Education course due to failing the exam, exceeding the prescribed absence period, or other subjective reasons as stipulated in the training regulations. However, if a student has to discontinue or retake the course due to illness, accident, or force majeure, and not due to disciplinary action or voluntary withdrawal, and this is confirmed by the training institution, they may be considered for continued tuition fee exemption for the next course of study as per regulations.

Students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, participate in training at the Center for National Defense and Security Education - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

For students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, this policy adds a practical advantage to their studies. Besides benefiting from scholarships to encourage learning, scholarships from organizations and businesses, student support activities, opportunities for academic exchange, practical experience, and skill development, the policy of tuition fee exemption and free textbooks for the National Defense and Security Education course provides favorable conditions for students to confidently complete the mandatory training program, while simultaneously enhancing their awareness of national defense and security, discipline, and sense of responsibility towards the community and the country.

Regarding the implementation roadmap, in the 2026-2027 academic year, the State will issue economic and technical norms for training in the subject of National Defense and Security Education as a basis for determining the budget for implementing the policy. From the 2027-2028 academic year, funding will be allocated to training institutions to waive tuition fees for students as prescribed. This is a concrete step in implementing the policy of supporting learners, aiming for a fair, effective, and humane educational environment.

Related articles:

Government Electronic Newspaper: Government Decree No. 271/2026/ND-CP: Regulations on free textbooks for general education and free tuition and course materials for the subject of National Defense and Security Education at higher education and vocational education institutions.

Nearly 500 students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities concluded their June national defense and security training program.