Plan helps poor rural students attend university

More students from poverty-stricken families will benefit in 2014 from an enrollment plan of Tsinghua University, in which the minimum qualification score will be lowered by 60 points, Beijing Daily reported.

While students from 832 poverty-stricken counties, 240 more than in 2013, can take part in the plan, it also will be open for the first time to students at middle schools in rural areas.

Another five prestigious universities, including Nanjing University and Zhejiang University, will also join the special enrollment plan.

Each middle school covered by the plan can recommend three students, two more than in 2013.

Students can choose three of the six universities and will have to participate in the examinations and interviews organized by each university.

Those students who pass the tests and interviews still must take part in the national college entrance exam, but passing scores for them will be lowered by 60 points.