Students from Xuzhou, Jiangsu province get financial aid from the municipal government to attend college. [Photo/VCG]

East China's Jiangsu province has raised 1.71 million yuan ($251,074) to help students fulfill college dreams. 

3,410 first-year students from poor backgrounds received financial grants of 5,000 yuan each. The money will help students cover their college expenses including tuition fees, living costs and purchasing textbooks. 

Charitable organizations set up by major companies are also making efforts to help local youngsters. As of June, staff members at State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co have raised 765 million yuan, helping over 21,000 students attend college. 

In August, e-commerce giant Suning donated 500,000 yuan to 100 college students to support their studies. 

The Jiangsu provincial government project was first launched in 2005. It has raised 178 million yuan and helped over 50,000 students from families with financial difficulties to attend college. 

Wang Wei, secretary of the China Youth League of Jiangsu province, said that aside from financial aid, the students also receive assistance through internship, volunteering and start-up opportunities that will help them to learn and grow.