Scholarship Costs Students May Still Need to Pay in Korea
A tuition scholarship does not automatically cover every cost of studying in Korea. These records explicitly identify an excluded cost, a student-paid item or a tuition payment that must be made before reimbursement. The page does not guess from benefits that are simply unlisted, and an upfront payment is separated from a cost that is never reimbursed.
7 programmes from the published database. Application status as of 2026-10-25 (KST); source review dates are recorded individually. Past calls remain labeled by their year and deadline. A policy without dates is not treated as an open call.
100% tuition and admission fee, dormitory, meals and approximately KRW 200,000 monthly daily expenses during specified term; vacation housing and meals limited
Official award applies only to stated period/selection conditions.
Language requirement: An official language test result is required; the scholarship policy lists examples without a numerical entrance minimum. TOPIK level 2 is required for continuation from semester five.
Competitive selection for foreign freshmen and transfers; the applicant and parents must be non-Korean citizens. Outstanding academic achievement and an official language test result are required. The policy limits Cornerstone recipients to 15. GPA 3.0 applies after enrollment as a renewal condition, not as a numerical admission GPA threshold.
Selected international freshmen or transfer students with non-Korean citizenship for themselves and parents
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Maximum eight regular semesters for freshmen, six for sophomore transfers and four for junior transfers. Maintain GPA at least 3.0 each semester; a lower GPA or disciplinary penalty can cause permanent loss. Dormitory residence is required. From semester five, TOPIK level 2 is required; obtaining it later restores support from the following semester. Vacation dormitory and meals are supported only for the first two vacations in year one. Seasonal tuition and both national/private insurance premiums are excluded.
University scholarshipAdditional eligibility conditions
Handong Global University · Pohang
Handong Presidential Scholarship
The applicant and parents must be non-Korean citizens. This award targets top applicants from countries ineligible for Cornerstone. Confirm that country condition with Handong admissions and follow its international admission instructions.
Country eligibility and competitive university selection
Undergraduate
100% tuition and dormitory fees for four years; seasonal semesters excluded
Standing university policy; dates not listed. Admission-fee, meal and living support from Cornerstone are not part of this award.
The applicant and parents must be non-Korean citizens. Competitive selection is restricted to top applicants from countries not eligible for Cornerstone. Handong admissions determines this country group. GPA at least 3.0 each semester is a renewal requirement; no numerical entrance GPA or language-score minimum is stated in this scholarship section.
Top international freshmen and transfers from countries not eligible for Cornerstone
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
The policy provides tuition and dormitory fees for four years, subject to GPA at least 3.0 each semester. GPA below 3.0 or a disciplinary penalty leads to loss of the scholarship. Seasonal-semester tuition and dormitory fees are excluded. Admission fees, meals and a living stipend are not listed for this award.
Designated AI/IT or Semiconductor master’s programmes
Master
Tuition: KRW 7,392,000 per semester for 4 semesters; entrance fee: KRW 1,142,000. Living allowance: KRW 1,500,000/month for 2 years. Airfare: actual expenses up to KRW 3,000,000 total, with KRW 1,500,000 limits for initial entry and final departure. Private medical insurance is provided at the amount set by Korea University.
The university programme page lists these benefits. The latest linked application guide is for Fall 2026; a 2027 intake and application schedule are not announced in the sources reviewed.
Language requirement: TOPIK level 3+ or Academic IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL iBT (0–120) 71+ or CEFR B2+ or New TEPS 326+. The Fall 2026 guide waives language proof for an English- or Korean-taught bachelor’s degree. Test reports must be valid; IELTS Home Test is not accepted.
Master’s applicants with a completed or expected bachelor’s degree at Korea University Graduate School in Seoul. Only designated AI/IT majors and Semiconductor laboratories are eligible. Up to 20 scholars per cohort: 10 per track. Eligible regions: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine; Timor-Leste, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines; India and Pakistan. Japan and Taiwan are eligible for the Semiconductor track only. Both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship. AI/IT track: Computer Science and Engineering majors in Artificial Intelligence Applications, Software, Computer Security, Radio Communications Engineering and Computer Education; or Artificial Intelligence. Optional Korean-language training support is described by the university as covering the amount above KRW 1,000,000, at the amount set by Korea University. Ask the programme office how this applies to your course.
AI/IT track: Computer Science and Engineering majors in Artificial Intelligence Applications, Software, Computer Security, Radio Communications Engineering and Computer Education; or Artificial Intelligence.
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Eligible nationalities: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Timor-Leste, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, India, Pakistan
Closed Fall 2026 · Scholarship application deadline: 2026-03-31 KST
Apply online through Study in Korea and upload scanned documents. The Fall 2026 application and document upload closed on March 31, 2026. The recommender had to email the recommendation letter by April 15, 2026. No application fee. Choose one track and one major or lab; multiple SK Global applications are not allowed.
Official source ↗· Sections 1–3: benefits, citizenship, language, majors and procedure
Source checked:
Master
Tuition: KRW 7,392,000 per semester for 4 semesters; entrance fee: KRW 1,142,000. Living allowance: KRW 1,500,000/month for 2 years. Airfare: actual expenses up to KRW 3,000,000 total, with KRW 1,500,000 limits for initial entry and final departure. Private medical insurance is provided at the amount set by Korea University.
The university programme page lists these benefits. The latest linked application guide is for Fall 2026; a 2027 intake and application schedule are not announced in the sources reviewed.
Language requirement: TOPIK level 3+ or Academic IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL iBT (0–120) 71+ or CEFR B2+ or New TEPS 326+. The Fall 2026 guide waives language proof for an English- or Korean-taught bachelor’s degree. Test reports must be valid; IELTS Home Test is not accepted.
Master’s applicants with a completed or expected bachelor’s degree at Korea University Graduate School in Seoul. Only designated AI/IT majors and Semiconductor laboratories are eligible. Up to 20 scholars per cohort: 10 per track. Eligible regions: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine; Timor-Leste, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines; India and Pakistan. Japan and Taiwan are eligible for the Semiconductor track only. Both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship. Semiconductor track: designated laboratories in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering. Japan and Taiwan applicants can apply to this track only. Optional Korean-language training support is described by the university as covering the amount above KRW 1,000,000, at the amount set by Korea University. Ask the programme office how this applies to your course.
Semiconductor track: designated laboratories in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering. Japan and Taiwan applicants can apply to this track only.
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Eligible nationalities: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Timor-Leste, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, India, Pakistan, Japan, Taiwan
Closed Fall 2026 · Scholarship application deadline: 2026-03-31 KST
Apply online through Study in Korea and upload scanned documents. The Fall 2026 application and document upload closed on March 31, 2026. The recommender had to email the recommendation letter by April 15, 2026. No application fee. Choose one track and one major or lab; multiple SK Global applications are not allowed.
Official source ↗· Sections 1–3: benefits, citizenship, language, majors and procedure
Source checked:
Later semesters and re-application
Tuition support lasts 4 semesters; living expenses and private insurance last 2 years. The Fall 2026 guide applies Korea University academic and conduct regulations, and students are responsible for their housing. It does not state a numerical scholarship renewal GPA. Confirm any additional award conditions with the programme office.
UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) · Ulsan
Graduate UNIST Scholarship · Advisor Funding
Master
At least KRW 17,280,000/year including tuition reimbursement · Tuition paid upfront
Engineering / Natural Science only; laboratory research and academic participation required; regular study period only. Specialized graduate schools excluded; external scholarship above the minimum stipend excludes this support. Student pays tuition first; the advisor supports the tuition amount during the semester. The annual amount already includes tuition; do not add another tuition amount to it.
Engineering / Natural Science
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · International Graduate Admission · R1 deadline: 2026-07-15 KST · 18:00 KST
Official source ↗· Printed pp.3,13–14: admission dates, funding categories and exclusions
Source checked:
Master
At least KRW 10,560,000/year including tuition reimbursement · Tuition paid upfront
Management Engineering only; laboratory research and academic participation required; regular study period only. Specialized graduate schools excluded; external scholarship above the minimum stipend excludes this support. Student pays tuition first; the advisor supports the tuition amount during the semester. The annual amount already includes tuition; do not add another tuition amount to it.
Management Engineering
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · International Graduate Admission · R1 deadline: 2026-07-15 KST · 18:00 KST
Official source ↗· Printed pp.3,13–14: admission dates, funding categories and exclusions
Source checked:
PhD
At least KRW 20,880,000/year including tuition reimbursement · Tuition paid upfront
Engineering / Natural Science only; laboratory research and academic participation required; regular study period only. Specialized graduate schools excluded; external scholarship above the minimum stipend excludes this support. Student pays tuition first; the advisor supports the tuition amount during the semester. The annual amount already includes tuition; do not add another tuition amount to it.
Engineering / Natural Science
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · International Graduate Admission · R1 deadline: 2026-07-15 KST · 18:00 KST
Official source ↗· Printed pp.3,13–14: admission dates, funding categories and exclusions
Source checked:
PhD
At least KRW 12,420,000/year including tuition reimbursement · Tuition paid upfront
Management Engineering only; laboratory research and academic participation required; regular study period only. Specialized graduate schools excluded; external scholarship above the minimum stipend excludes this support. Student pays tuition first; the advisor supports the tuition amount during the semester. The annual amount already includes tuition; do not add another tuition amount to it.
Management Engineering
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · International Graduate Admission · R1 deadline: 2026-07-15 KST · 18:00 KST
Official source ↗· Printed pp.3,13–14: admission dates, funding categories and exclusions
Source checked:
Later semesters and re-application
Funding requires continued laboratory research and academic activities within the regular study period; amount varies by funding category, programme and laboratory. Specialized graduate schools and recipients of outside funding exceeding the stated minimum are excluded. UNIST-funded students pay tuition upfront and receive advisor support during the semester; the published annual support includes that tuition reimbursement.
Official award applies only to stated period/selection conditions.
AF-1 is a university-assigned award tier, not automatic for all graduate entrants; thesis/publication and first-author or corresponding-author conditions depend on field and degree.
Eligible foreign special-admission general graduate students assigned the AF-1 award tier
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Incoming undergraduate freshman or transfer students admitted to Mason Korea. Academic performance and leadership/extracurricular activities are considered.
Admission documents are reviewed first. Selected candidates submit an essay and attend a scholarship interview by the notified deadlines.
Dates not listed · Scholarship application
Apply in the university’s announced application period. Selection and the award letter determine your award.
Award duration and continued support
At least 12 credits per semester and cumulative GPA at least 3.5. Spring/Fall tuition at Mason Korea only; summer and Fairfax semesters are not covered.
Work & Study in Ulsan (WSU) Scholarship · Spring 2027
University of Ulsan · WSU Track
100% tuition and entrance-fee support, 100% dormitory and weekday meal-plan support, reimbursement of the Korean-language education fee after submitting the completion certificate, and an academic/research stipend of approximately KRW 800,000 per month after income tax. A separate professor-determined research stipend may vary and is not guaranteed.
Applicant and both parents must be foreign nationals without Korean citizenship or Korean dual nationality. A bachelor's degree is required. The two English-medium master's majors are Carbon-Neutral Technology Convergence and Next-Generation Secondary Battery Convergence. Accepted English evidence includes IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 71, new TOEFL 4.0, New TEPS 327, CEFR B2 or TOEIC 785, with an exemption for a nationality whose mother tongue or official language is English. Graduation later requires TOPIK 1 or completion of 100 hours of the university's Korean course.
Apply online and pay the KRW 100,000 application fee from October 2 through November 6, 2026. The official guide does not state a closing time. Original documents for admitted applicants are due January 22, 2027. Interviews are scheduled for November 23–27 and results for December 8 at 15:00 KST.
Open · Scholarship application deadline: 2026-11-06 KST
Award duration and continued support
Provided for up to four semesters of the master's programme. Full support is stated only for students who complete four consecutive semesters without a leave of absence. The guide says recipients must meet scholarship maintenance requirements but does not publish a numerical GPA threshold. Application fee, mandatory insurance, National Health Insurance and ARC issuance fees are self-paid.
University application routes (1)
University of Ulsan
Open Spring 2027 · University route deadline: 2026-11-06 KST
Apply online to the University of Ulsan WSU track and pay the KRW 100,000 application fee by November 6, 2026. The official guide does not state a closing time. Admitted applicants must deliver original documents by January 22, 2027.
Applicant and both parents must be foreign nationals without Korean citizenship or dual nationality; bachelor's degree required; qualifying English score or English-official-language nationality; admission to one of the two listed WSU master's majors.
Full tuition, entrance fee, dormitory, weekday meal plan and Korean-course fee reimbursement, plus approximately KRW 800,000 per month after tax.
No. Admission or application fees, insurance, housing, meals, residence-card fees and non-regular semesters are covered only when the programme says so.
Is paying tuition upfront the same as an uncovered cost?
No. S207 records tuition paid first and reimbursed during the semester. Other listed items are expressly excluded or assigned to the student. Check timing as well as final coverage.