The Self-Improvement Program to help rural students get better opportunities for higher education will continue in 2013, China Daily learned on Dec 12.

The program, launched in 2009 by Xi'an Jiaotong University, Tsinghua University, Nanjing University and the University of Science and Technology of China, provides chances for excellent high school graduates living in rural areas, outlying poverty-stricken areas and ethnic regions to obtain university education and further promote equality of education opportunities.

The program will accept high school graduates from more than 2,000 schools in 592 key counties supported by State anti-poverty work. Candidates will be checked by the universities and should pass exams given by the universities on March 2, 2013.

Xi'an Jiaotong University said it will pay transportation and accommodation costs for students who take the retest in the university.