Aids and Scholarships
The RUC places great importance on student aid, especially aid for underprivileged students. The Student Subsidy Office has a long history, and the university has established a comprehensive system for providing aid, providing not only scholarships for students with academic merit, but also loans, part-time jobs, grants, and subsidies for underprivileged students with financial difficulties so as to ensure that no student has to discontinue their studies on account of financial difficulties. The most common forms of financial aid include:
The "green passageway" for new students As one of the earliest universities to offer the "green passageway"to new students, the RUC waives or defers new students' tuition fees, based on investigations into the financial status of the students' families. After the students enroll in the university, the university will help them solve their financial difficulties by giving them advice on how to apply for national student loans, and by providing part-time jobs, and grants.
Scholarships The university has a scholarship system covering academic study, scientific research, core disciplines, social work, and moral development, encouraging students to develop actively in all these aspects. Dozens of famous domestic and foreign enterprises and foundations have set up scholarships at the university, and the scholarships now number nearly 40. Every year over 30% of RUC students are offered scholarships. A total amount of 5 million yuan was provided in 2004.
National student loans As the country's most important means to help underprivileged students through their university studies, national student loans are loans on favorable terms, with the bank providing the students with tuition and accommodation fees, the state and the university paying the interest, and the university paying the bank risk compensation. Most of the students of the university who have applied for a national student loan have been granted loan support.
Grants The national grants have been newly established to subsidize students with especially severe financial difficulties. Such students account for about 5% of the entire student body, and the grants provide them with basic living expenses. The university also provides grants to underprivileged students from different backgrounds, focusing on those coming from rural areas, minor nationality areas or areas stricken by natural disasters. In 2004, the university provided grants that came to nearly one million yuan.
Work-study programs The university has set up a work-study fund and a Work-Study Service Center. Each year the university helps up to 5,000 students find part-time jobs on and off campus. In 2004, the university provided students with nearly 1,000 part-time jobs on the campus, paying more than 400,000 yuan.
Loans as incentives Loans as incentives are a new measure developed in 2004, focusing on those students who are facing temporary financial difficulties. If any student encounters unexpected living difficulties, the university will provide loans with no interest attached. Those who have studied hard, shown excellent performance, and met required standards, will have their loans considerably reduced or completely written off when they graduate.
