China's Ministry of Education has made some preferential policies to subsidize underprivileged college students from areas badly hit by the deadly earthquake in Southwest of China.

The ministry requires all colleges in the country to set aside 4 to 6 percent of their operating expenses to provide funding for eligible students.

Wang Xuming is the ministry's spokesman.

"Today we're demanding that all public and private colleges open green channels to facilitate the distribution of subsidies to students from the quake areas."

The ministry also requires all colleges to enclose a brochure about the preferential policy in admission letters.

The education ministry will also start a hotline on August 15th to provide information about the policies and answer questions about their implementation.