Scholarships for International Students in Korea
Government (GKS), university, language institute, on-campus work and foundation scholarships: who gives them, what they are based on, how to keep them and how to spot a fake “scholarship”.
Studying in Korea costs money, but there are many kinds of scholarships. Some are very competitive, like the government scholarship. Others are common, like a tuition reduction for a good TOPIK score. Knowing the types helps you plan.
Types of scholarships
| Type | Who gives it | Usually based on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government scholarship (GKS) | Korean government | Grades, documents, interview | Embassy track and university track. Usually covers tuition, a monthly allowance, Korean language training and airfare. Very competitive. |
| Admission scholarship | The university | TOPIK level and grades at admission | For example, some schools reduce tuition by a percentage depending on TOPIK level. |
| Semester merit scholarship | The university | GPA of the last semester | Usually decided each semester. You need enough credits. |
| Language institute scholarship | The language institute | Attendance, top grades | Rules and amounts differ by institute. |
| On-campus work scholarship | The university | Work in an office, library or lab | You are paid for the hours you work. Ask the school if it fits your visa rules. |
| Private foundation scholarship | Foundations and organizations | Grades, financial need, field of study | Notices are often posted on the university website. |
About GKS
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is run by the Korean government (National Institute for International Education, NIIED, 국립국제교육원). There are programs for undergraduate and graduate study. You can apply through the embassy track (via the Korean embassy in your country) or the university track (directly to a participating university). The notice usually comes out once a year for each program, with eligibility, age and grade rules. Check Study in Korea for the current notice.
Conditions to keep your scholarship
- Keep the minimum GPA your school asks for.
- Attend classes regularly, especially at a language institute.
- Take the required number of credits each semester.
- Keep a valid visa and follow school rules.
- Read the rules carefully. Some scholarships must be paid back if you stop studying or change schools.
How to apply
- 1
Find notices early
Check Study in Korea for GKS, and the international office pages of the schools you like for school scholarships.
- 2
Check eligibility
Look at the rules on nationality, age, grades, and TOPIK or English scores.
- 3
Prepare documents
Transcripts, diplomas, recommendation letters, a study plan and test scores. Some documents need an apostille.
- 4
Apply before the deadline
Submit everything on time. Late or missing documents are usually not accepted.
- 5
Interview and results
Some scholarships have an interview. Results are announced on the date in the notice.
Official sources
Written by KOVIA 편집팀
