Empowering Students to Complete Their University Education
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) has established a variety of support initiatives for students from low-income households, promoting equal access to higher education and encouraging academic achievement. Coordinated mainly through the Office of Student Affairs, these programs deliver financial, academic, and career support to those in need. Such efforts reflect BSRU’s strong commitment to SDG 1, using education and opportunity as key pathways to reducing poverty.
1. Educational and Career Guidance Services
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) is dedicated to assisting students from low-income families by offering extensive academic, financial, and career support, ensuring that economic challenges do not hinder their pursuit of higher education. Central to this commitment are BSRU’s educational and career guidance services, which provide personalized assistance to help students manage their studies and plan their professional futures. Both individual and group consulting sessions are available, giving students crucial support in addressing academic difficulties and preparing for the workforce.
The job placement service strengthens this support by assisting students in finding both part-time and full-time work opportunities, enabling them to gain practical experience while maintaining financial stability.
Additionally, BSRU runs an ongoing project that helps students earn an income while studying, which alleviates financial pressures and enables them to focus on their studies without worrying about immediate financial needs.
2. Scholarships for Tuition-Free Study
Alongside career guidance, BSRU provides a wide range of scholarships to support its students. More than 100 scholarships are offered annually, funded by both internal and external sources, covering tuition-free study opportunities. These scholarships are awarded across several categories, including academic excellence, financial need combined with strong academic performance, contributions that bring recognition to the university, and outstanding conduct. By addressing diverse criteria, the scholarship program ensures that deserving students receive the assistance necessary to succeed.
3. Student Loan Fund for Financial Assistance
Beyond scholarships, BSRU’s Student Loan Fund plays a vital role in offering financial support to students who require assistance. The fund is organized into four main categories: loans for students from low-income families, loans for those enrolled in programs essential to national development, loans targeting specific priority fields, and loans for academically exceptional students pursuing graduate studies. Each category is designed to address distinct needs, enabling students facing financial challenges, those in high-demand disciplines, and high-achieving scholars to continue their education without interruption.
On August 31 and September 1, 2024, the Student Loan Fund (SLF) of Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University hosted a loan agreement signing event for 1,251 students approved for the 2024 academic year. The ceremony, held in Building 1’s fourth-floor meeting room, will include submission of required documents and completion of loan disbursement forms for both new loans and loans involving changes of institution across all categories. Students must register online for a date and time to submit documents, after which the Office of Student Affairs will review submissions and coordinate with Krung Thai Bank and the Islamic Bank of Thailand to proceed with loan disbursements.
To qualify for the following year’s Student Loan Fund at BSRU, borrowers must engage in public service activities aimed at fostering compassion, selflessness, and a public spirit. While new and transitioning borrowers have no set hour requirements, returning borrowers advancing to higher educational levels must complete at least 36 hours of such activities. Participation must be recorded and verified by an assigned head or administrator, serving as proof of fulfilling the fund’s service-oriented criteria.
The Student Affairs Administration Office reported the implementation results of the Student Loan Fund (SLF) for the academic years 2023–2024, reflecting the university’s continued commitment to supporting students’ educational access and financial stability. In the academic year 2023, a total of 2,241 students received financial assistance amounting to 55,069,049 baht. In the following academic year, 2024, 2,164 students were supported through the fund with a total amount of 54,706,050 baht. This initiative underscores the university’s dedication to ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder students from pursuing higher education.
4. Free Scholarships for Low-Income Students
BSRU also provides free scholarships to strengthen support for students with financial need, particularly those from families earning less than 300,000 baht annually, in line with university policy to reduce economic barriers to education. In the 2024–2025 academic year, the Office of Student Affairs, together with contributions from alumni associations, private companies, and charitable foundations. These include major contributions such as 4.5 million baht from Thai Pipe Industry Co., Ltd., 300,000 baht from the Bansomdejchaopraya Alumni Association under Royal Patronage, and additional funding from foundations such as Chin Sophonpanich, Por Teck Tung, and TISCO. Altogether, the scholarships amounted to 6,118,587 baht, ensuring that students from disadvantaged households have stronger opportunities to access and complete higher education.
5. Erawan Scholarship Program
The university’s commitment to supporting students in need was further demonstrated through the Erawan Scholarship Program, initiated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). This program specifically supports students from low-income families (with annual household income below 300,000 THB) by providing full scholarships for teacher education. In return, recipients are required to serve as teachers in Bangkok upon graduation, addressing the shortage of qualified educators in the city. In 2024, under this collaboration, a group of Erawan Scholarship students not only secured government appointments as assistant teachers in Bangkok schools but also had the opportunity to participate in an international academic and professional development program at National Pingtung University, Taiwan, enhancing their English proficiency, technological skills, and cross-cultural experiences.
6.Securing Scholarship Initiative for Low-Income Student Support
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU), through the Office of Student Affairs, places strong emphasis on securing scholarships and financial aid for students from low-income families as part of its broader strategy to enhance access to higher education. By actively seeking out and partnering with diverse scholarship providers, the university has enabled its students to benefit from esteemed sources of support, including the Royal Initiative Project, Muang Thai Insurance Public Company Limited, the Wat Amarinthararam Worawihan, the “Sam Somdet Chao Phraya” Scholarship, and the Poh Tek Tung Foundation. These efforts help ensure that financial limitations do not impede students’ academic journeys, underscoring BSRU’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
7.Comprehensive Health Support for Student Well-being at BSRU
BSRU’s Office of Student Affairs is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of its community by organizing regular health screening events throughout the academic year. In collaboration with Public Health Service Center 26 and Rak Sukkhapap Ban Khaek Clinic, the university recently hosted a free health screening and consultation event on October 8, 2024, at the Activity Area, Building 1, for up to 500 participants. This service is open to students, faculty, staff, and all interested members of the university community. Such initiatives are particularly beneficial for students from low-income backgrounds, offering them essential health assessments without financial burden. By ensuring equal access to preventive healthcare, BSRU supports the academic success and overall well-being of its students.
8.Inclusive Student Health and Safety Insurance for All
In alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, BSRU offers accident insurance for every student, providing coverage that reflects the risks associated with their particular programs. This measure is especially valuable for students from low-income families who might not have access to personal insurance. By covering medical costs arising from accidents, the university helps protect students’ health and allows them to concentrate on their studies and personal development without added financial stress.
