Recently, as college tuition has steadily increased , the financial burden on students and parents has increased. There are also more students considering student loans to continue their studies. In order to alleviate this financial burden, the government is operating a national scholarship system, and support for low-income families and families with many children is gradually expanding.
The second round of applications for the 2025 first semester national scholarship is currently underway, but the application process and requirements are complicated, causing confusion for many new students. This guide will explain in detail the application process, support amount, grade criteria, and frequently asked questions.
2025 National Scholarship Application Period
2025 National Scholarship 1st Application Period
Thursday, November 21, 2024 9:00 AM - Thursday, December 26, 2024 18:00 PM
Current students are, in principle, required to apply for the first round.
The deadline for submitting documents and consenting to provide household member information is 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
2025 National Scholarship 2nd Application Period
Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 9:00 AM - Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 6:00 PM
This is the application period for new students, transfer students, re-enrolled students, and returning students.
The deadline for submitting documents and consenting to provide household information is 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
⚠️ It is important to complete your application in advance as the website may not function properly on the application deadline due to a surge in visitors.
2025 National Scholarship Support Amount and Changes
2025 National Scholarship Support Amount
The government provides support for up to 9 sections based on the income of students and their household members. The income section is calculated through the Korea Student Aid Foundation's income recognition amount review, and the income recognition amount includes earned income, property income, and other income.
Scholarship support section National Scholarship Types
(Maximum Annual Amount) Multi-child Scholarship
(First and Second Children) Scholarship for families with multiple children
(from the third child )
Basic / Secondary Full tuition support Full tuition support Full tuition support
Income brackets 1-3 Up to 2.85 million won 2.85 million won Full tuition fee
Income brackets 4-6 Up to 2.1 million won 2.4 million won Full tuition fee
Income bracket 7-8 Up to 1.75 million won 2.25 million won Full tuition fee
9 profit zones (new addition) Up to 500 thousand won 675 thousand won Up to 1 million won
National Scholarship Changes for 2025
It has been expanded from the existing 8 sections to 9 sections.
The number of eligible people has been expanded from 1 million to 1.5 million.
We have strengthened the scholarship benefits for families with multiple children
(full tuition support for the third child and above)
⚠️ The national scholarship support amount is paid within the scope of the student's tuition fee, and any excess amount will be refunded.
⚠️ Those who are eligible for full tuition support will be exempted from all fees, including admission fees and tuition.
⚠️ Additional scholarship programs
National Scholarship Type II: Operated by each university and paid out according to each university’s standards.
Multi-child Scholarship: This is for families with multiple children (three or more children) and children under the age of 25.
Regional Talent Scholarship: For n
on-metropolitan students.
How to apply for the 2025 National Scholarship and criteria
✅ Application Process
Go to the Korea Student Aid Foundation website or mobile app.
Click Apply for National Scholarship and enter the information.
Verify your income information. (Consent from household members is required.)
The review and selection process can take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.
Scholarships will be paid out (1st semester: from mid-March / 2nd semester: from mid-September)
⚠️ Please make sure to check the consent procedure as the review will not proceed if consent to providing household member information is not completed.
⚠️ Please note the issuance date as only documents issued after the recruitment announcement date are valid.
✅ Documents to be submitted
When applying for a national scholarship, some students may be required to submit additional documents. After applying, check whether you are eligible to submit documents on the Korea Student Aid Foundation website and submit the required documents by the deadline.
Family relationship certificate or resident registration copy (to confirm the relationship between the student and the household members)
Beneficiary, sub-lower class certificate (submit only to those who are eligible)
Proof of income documents
Earned income: Withholding tax receipt, income certificate, etc.
Business income: Business income withholding tax receipt, income certificate, etc.
Other income: financial income, pension income proof documents, etc.
Other required documents (additional submission required upon request of the Korea Student Aid Foundation)
⚠️ Please make sure to check the consent procedure as the review will not proceed if consent to providing household member informatio
n is not completed.
✅ National Scholarship Achievement Criteria
To apply for a national scholarship, you must meet certain academic criteria. Eligibility criteria are as follows:
Freshmen, transfer students, and returning students : No grade criteria apply in the first semester.
Current students, returning students : Must have completed at least 12 credits in the previous semester and have an average score of at least 80 points (out of 100). (3.2 on a 4.5 scale / 3.0 on a 4.3 scale)
Basic and Advanced Levels : Must have completed at least 12 credits and earned an average of 70 points or higher in the previous semester.
Youth Preparing for Self-Reliance (Children Exiting Protection) : There is no percentile score standard, but credit completion standards apply.
Students with disabilities : There are no performance criteria.
C Grade Warning System : If your income level falls into the 1st to 3rd bracket, you can receive a scholarship after up to two warnings even if your previous semester grades are below 70-80.
⚠️ Current students must apply for the first round, and must apply for relief in the second round to receive support.
2025 National Scholarship FAQs
Q: How many times can I apply for a national scholarship?
A: You can apply once per semester, a total of twice a year.
Q : How are income brackets calculated?
A: It is calculated by the Korea Student Aid Foundation based on household members’ income and assets, etc.
Q: If I exceed the income criteria, can I not receive support?
A: Some support is available for those in the 9 income brackets, but if the bracket is exceeded, national scholarship support is limited.
Q: If my academic performance is low, can I still receive the scholarship?
A: Even if your grades are low, students in grades 1 to 3 can apply up to two times through the C grade warning system.
Q: Can I receive the national scholarship and another scholarship at the same time?
A: It is possible. However, duplicate support is not possible for amounts exceeding the tuition limit.
In a reality where college tuition is steadily rising, national scholarships are an essential financial support system for students. In particular, with the expansion of support to 9 income brackets and additional support for families with multiple children starting in 2025, more students will be able to benefit.
However, you must apply for the 2025 National Scholarship within the application period, and if you miss the procedures such as submitting documents and obtaining consent from family members, you will not be able to receive support. In addition, since you must meet the academic standards, it is important to thoroughly plan and manage your studies in advance.
Please check carefully so as not to miss the application deadline and do not miss out on the scholarship benefits you really need.