Decree No. 51/2026/NĐ-CP: Amendments to Regulations on Scholarship and Training Cost Repayment
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Based on:Nghị định số 51/2026/NĐ-CP; Nghị định số 143/2013/NĐ-CP - Government Official Gazette
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Decree No. 51/2026/NĐ-CP dated 2 February 2026 amends Decree No. 143/2013/NĐ-CP governing repayment of scholarships and training costs for individuals sent to study using state budget funds or under Prime Minister-approved training order schemes. The decree introduces a mechanism to cancel or waive repayment obligations in specific circumstances: the trainee has died, is medically unfit to work, has been reassigned or transferred by a competent authority, or faces objective force majeure reasons preventing compliance. Detailed procedures for filing applications, authority to approve, and processing timelines are specified. The decree takes effect on 26 March 2026. Cases currently under review without a final decision before that date will be subject to the new cancellation/waiver provisions.
Decree No. 51/2026/NĐ-CP
Key Amendments
Article 1 - Expanded Coverage: Adds persons participating in domestic training programs funded by the state budget or under Prime Minister-approved training order schemes using state budget funds.
Article 2 - Repayment Deadline: Within 120 days of receiving the competent state authority's decision, the trainee or their family must repay the full amount owed.
Article 3 - New Cancellation/Waiver Mechanism (New Article 7a):
- Full cancellation: trainee has died or been declared dead by a court.
- Waiver: medically unfit to work (confirmed by a qualified medical facility); reassigned, transferred, or seconded by a competent authority before completing the required service period; objective force majeure circumstances preventing compliance.
- Procedure: submit 1 application dossier within 20 working days of notice; competent authority processes within 20 working days of receiving a complete valid dossier.
Effective Date and Transitional Provisions
Effective 26 March 2026. Cases with existing decisions before that date continue under Decree 143/2013/NĐ-CP. Cases currently under review without a final decision will have the new cancellation/waiver rules applied.