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Government and foundation scholarships

Besides each university's own tuition waivers, the Korean government and some foundations run scholarships of their own. These are the main ones for degree students, with who can apply, what they cover and when.

BEYOND UNIVERSITY WAIVERS

Korean government: GKS

Associate degreeBachelor'sPlaces: About 286

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for undergraduates

Who can apply
You and both of your parents are not Korean citizens (dual citizens who hold Korean nationality do not count). You are under 25 on 1 March of the selection year and have finished (or are about to finish) high school, or an associate degree if you apply for a bachelor's. Your grades are 80% or higher, or in the top 20% of your class. You are not enrolled in, and have not graduated from, a university in Korea.
What it covers
Airfare, one year of Korean language training, tuition and a monthly study allowance. After the language year, the scholarship runs for an associate degree (2–3 years) or a bachelor's degree (4–6 years).
When
The call opens in September. Embassy track: apply in September. University track: apply to the university from September to November. Results come in December.
How to apply
Embassy track: apply online through Study in Korea at your country's Korean embassy; you can list up to three universities, at least one of them a type-B university. University track: apply directly to a participating university, including industry-linked science and engineering departments (UIC) at 13 universities and associate degree programs at 9 colleges.
Official page
Master'sDoctoral

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for graduate students

Who can apply
You and both of your parents are not Korean citizens. You are under 40 on 1 September of the selection year and have a bachelor's or master's degree (or are about to finish one), with an overall GPA of 80% or higher. You are not enrolled in, and have not graduated from, a university or graduate school in Korea.
What it covers
Airfare, one year of Korean language training (except in English-taught Global Network programs), tuition and a monthly study allowance, for a master's degree (2 years) or a doctorate (3 years).
When
The call opens in February. Applications run from February to March, screening from April to June, and results come in June.
How to apply
Embassy track: apply at your country's Korean embassy. University track: apply directly to a participating university.
Official page
Exchange semesterPlaces: About 500

GKS Excellent Exchange Student program

Who can apply
You are an undergraduate or graduate student at a foreign university that has an exchange agreement with a participating Korean university, with overall grades of 80% or higher. You have never received a Korean government scholarship, you are not a dual citizen of Korea and you are not studying in Korea now.
What it covers
One semester (4 months) of regular exchange study in Korea: a monthly study allowance of 630,000 won (it varies with your days of stay) and round-trip airfare. Korean language courses are not included.
When
Dates differ by program; follow the notices on Study in Korea.
How to apply
You do not apply to NIIED directly. Your home university's international office nominates you to the Korean partner university, which recommends candidates to NIIED.
Official page
BEYOND UNIVERSITY WAIVERS

Foundations and special programs

Master'sDoctoralPlaces: About 50

POSCO TJ Park Foundation: scholarship for Asian students studying in Korea

Who can apply
Citizens of an Asian country who plan to start a master's or doctoral program in Korea next year, in any field except MBA.
What it covers
Tuition, living costs, an arrival grant and a language excellence award.
When
Applications are open around May.
How to apply
Apply through the foundation's website.
Official page
Associate degreeBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

Daewoong Foundation Global Scholarship Program (GSP)

Who can apply
International students enrolled at a university or graduate school in Korea who want to work in Korea after graduation and can explain their goals clearly in Korean or English.
What it covers
A scholarship of 500,000 won per month, an internship, career classes and skills training, and job opportunities.
When
Selection is open all year.
How to apply
Contact the foundation (KakaoTalk: Daewoong Scholarship) or see its website.
Official page
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

Korea National University of Arts: AMA+ scholarship for arts talent from developing countries

Who can apply
Talented arts students from the 140 countries that receive OECD-DAC aid, applying to an undergraduate or graduate program in music, dance, fine arts, film and media, theater or Korean traditional arts.
What it covers
Airfare, a monthly living allowance, Korean language training, tuition and health insurance.
When
Applications are open around March.
How to apply
Apply to Korea National University of Arts; questions go to the contact email below.
Official page
BEYOND UNIVERSITY WAIVERS

Other providers listed on Study in Korea

Study in Korea lists these foundations as scholarship providers. Eligibility differs for each, so read the organization's own page.

Compare university tuition waivers by TOPIK level →

Compiled from the official Study in Korea site (run by the Korean government's NIIED) and each foundation's own site, checked on October 22, 2026. Places, dates and amounts change every year, so confirm on the official page before you apply. Some official pages are in Korean only.

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