In excess of 4,000 Chinese college students who could encounter financial difficulties have received financial assistance from the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation since 2003.

Over 14 million yuan (US$1.75 million) has been distributed in subsidies or scholarships from the Foundation's Project of Future. The scheme is designed to assist college students to complete their schooling, say the Foundation.

Fan Qianning, a student with the Beijing Jiaotong University said, "The project has not only helped me materially but consoled me spiritually so that I can hold a more positive attitude toward difficulties in my life."

The project was set up in July 2003 and has evolved into a talent development system that covers over 80 institutions of higher education around the country.