The Scholarship That Pays You to Study in Korea

Imagine this: the Korean government pays for your flight to Seoul, covers your full tuition, gives you a year of free Korean language training, hands you 00 every month for living expenses, and throws in health insurance for good measure. No loan. No work requirement. Just a scholarship.

That's the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), and it's one of the most generous study abroad funding programs on the planet. Every year, Korea awards roughly 180 GKS scholarships to students from countries around the world — and thousands of eligible students never even apply because they don't know it exists.

But the GKS is just the beginning. Korean universities offer their own merit-based scholarships covering 30–100% of tuition. Private foundations, bilateral exchange programs, and US-based scholarships like Fulbright and KASF add even more options. Here's every major funding source for studying in South Korea, with the real details on eligibility, amounts, and how to put together a winning application.

For the full picture of studying in Korea, start with our complete guide to studying in South Korea.

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The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): Full Details

The GKS (formerly known as KGSP — Korean Government Scholarship Program) is the crown jewel. It's funded by the Korean Ministry of Education and administered through NIIED (National Institute for International Education).

What it covers:

• Round-trip economy airfare
• Full tuition at a Korean university
• Monthly stipend: ₩1,350,000 (00) for undergraduate and graduate students
• Settlement allowance: ₩200,000 (50) one-time payment upon arrival
• Medical insurance: full coverage
• Korean language training: one full year at a university-affiliated language institute (if needed)
• Completion grant: ₩100,000 (5) upon finishing your program

Eligibility:

• Citizens of GKS-participating countries (most countries qualify — check the NIIED list)
• Undergraduate: under 25 years old as of March 1 of the enrollment year
• Graduate: under 40 years old as of March 1 of the enrollment year
• GPA of 80/100 or 2.64/4.30 or higher (on a 4.30 scale)
• Not a Korean citizen and never held Korean citizenship
• In good health

Two application tracks:

Embassy Track: You apply through the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. You can select up to 3 universities you'd like to attend. The embassy conducts the first round of selection, and selected candidates are then reviewed by the universities. This track has more slots but is more competitive because applicants from your entire country compete together.

University Track: You apply directly to one Korean university. Each participating university has its own allocation of GKS slots. This track can be less competitive if you apply to a university with fewer applicants — but you can only choose one school.

Timeline:

• September/October: Application opens
• November: Application deadline (embassy track)
• October/November: Application deadline (university track)
• December–January: Selection process
• January/February: Results announced
• March or September: Program start (depending on university)

What this means for you: The GKS is competitive — acceptance rates hover around 10–15% — but the applicant pool is smaller than you'd think. Many eligible students never apply. A strong application with clear motivation, solid grades, and a compelling personal statement has a genuine shot.

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University Scholarships: 30–100% Tuition Reductions

Most major Korean universities offer their own scholarships specifically for international students. These are typically merit-based and range from 30% to 100% tuition reduction per semester.

Seoul National University (SNU)

• SNU Global Scholarship: Covers 50–100% of tuition for outstanding international students. Awarded at admission.
• Graduate fellowships: Many departments offer full tuition waivers plus monthly stipends for research-based graduate programs, particularly in STEM fields.

Yonsei University

• Underwood International College Scholarship: Merit-based awards of 30–100% tuition reduction for international undergrads. Awarded automatically based on admission application.
• Graduate scholarships: Teaching assistantships and research assistantships that cover tuition and provide monthly stipends.

Korea University

• International Student Scholarship: 30–70% tuition reduction based on TOPIK/TOEFL scores and academic record.
• KU Global Scholarship: Full tuition waiver for top international applicants.

Ewha Womans University

• Ewha Global Partnership Scholarship: Full tuition + living expenses for women from developing countries.
• Graduate Scholarship for Women: 50–100% tuition reduction for female international graduate students.

KAIST

• Full scholarship for all international students: KAIST covers full tuition and provides a monthly stipend of ₩350,000 (60) for all admitted international graduate students. Undergraduate international students also receive significant financial support.

What this means for you: When you apply for admission, you're usually automatically considered for these scholarships. Focus on making your admission application as strong as possible — your GPA, test scores, and personal statement double as your scholarship application.

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Other Major Scholarship Programs

KASF (Korean American Scholarship Foundation)

• Amount: ,000–5,000 per semester
• Eligibility: Korean-American students or students of Korean descent studying in Korea or the US
• How to apply: Application opens in March, deadline in June. Requires essay, transcripts, and recommendation letters.

Fulbright US Student Program

• Amount: Full funding for research or English teaching assistantships in Korea
• Eligibility: US citizens with a bachelor's degree
• How to apply: Through the Fulbright Commission in the US. Application opens in April, deadline in October.

Korean Government Invitation Scholarship for Research

• Amount: Full funding for short-term research (1–12 months)
• Eligibility: Graduate students or researchers at Korean universities
• How to apply: Through NIIED or the Korean embassy

Asia Pacific Exchange Program (various)

• Multiple bilateral exchange programs exist between Korean universities and institutions in the US, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. Check with your home university's study abroad office — you may be able to study in Korea through an exchange agreement that covers tuition.

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How to Win: Application Strategy

Start early. GKS applications open in September. You should be preparing your personal statement, recommendation letters, and study plan by July. University scholarship deadlines often align with admission deadlines, so plan 6+ months ahead.

Write a compelling personal statement. This is where most applications live or die. Don't write generic statements about "loving Korean culture." Be specific: what do you want to study, why at this particular university, how does it connect to your career goals, and what will you contribute to the Korean academic community?

Get strong recommendation letters. Ask professors who know your work well, not those with impressive titles who barely remember your name. A letter that describes specific projects, your intellectual curiosity, and your work ethic is worth more than a generic endorsement from a department chair.

Show language commitment. Even if you're applying to an English-taught program, demonstrating that you've started learning Korean (through TOPIK scores, language class enrollment, or self-study) signals commitment and makes you a stronger candidate.

Demonstrate cultural awareness. Scholarship committees want students who will engage with Korean society, not just study in a bubble. Show that you understand Korean culture, have a plan for integration, and see this as a long-term investment in cross-cultural understanding.

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Financial Aid Beyond Scholarships

If scholarships don't cover everything, consider:

Part-time work: The D-2 student visa allows 20 hours/week of work during the semester. English tutoring pays 5–5/hour. On-campus jobs (library, research assistant) are easier to balance with academics.

Research/Teaching assistantships: Many graduate programs offer RA/TA positions that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend. Ask about these when you apply.

External funding: Check with your home country's education ministry, local community organizations, and professional associations in your field. Many offer study abroad grants that stack with Korean scholarships.

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Funding Your Korean Education Is More Accessible Than You Think

Between the GKS, university scholarships, and external programs, a significant percentage of international students in Korea study with substantial financial support. The key is starting early, applying broadly, and putting genuine effort into your personal statements.

Ready to find the right scholarship for your situation? Check our guides on applying to Korean universities and the student visa process, or book a free consultation with our advisors to build a scholarship strategy tailored to your profile.