Scholarships in Korea for Self-Funded Students: GKS Exclusions Explained
“Self-funded” is not inferred from a missing funding field. The programmes here expressly identify self-funded applicants or exclude current GKS, Korean-government or external-government scholarship holders. Some also restrict private-foundation awards. A previous government award is different from current funding and is excluded unless the reviewed rule expressly makes it relevant.
12 programmes from the published database. Application status as of 2026-10-23 (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.
Complete the immediately preceding semester at CBNU’s Korean language institute, enter a degree programme and remain enrolled. GKS recipients are excluded.
Open Spring 2027 · Admission application · International Undergraduate Admission · R1 deadline: 2026-10-30 KST · 18:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · International Undergraduate Admission · R2 deadline: 2026-12-11 KST · 18:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pp.3,4–8,16; printed pp.1,2–6,14: rounds, departments, scholarships
Source checked:
Later semesters and re-application
Paid once at degree entry, scheduled in May 2027. This is not recurring tuition support.
Enrolled through international admission. At least15 credits in the previous semester; GPA 3.0–3.49/4.5. External government scholarship holders excluded.
Minimum GPA: 3 / 4.5
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Enrolled through international admission. At least15 credits in the previous semester; GPA 3.5–3.99/4.5. External government scholarship holders excluded.
Minimum GPA: 3.5 / 4.5
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Enrolled through international admission. At least15 credits in the previous semester; GPA 4.0–4.5/4.5. External government scholarship holders excluded.
Minimum GPA: 4 / 4.5
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Assessed again each regular semester from the previous semester GPA. At least15 credits and GPA3.0/4.5 required; the rate is20% for3.0–3.49,40% for3.5–3.99,60% for4.0–4.5.
University scholarshipAdditional eligibility conditions
Ewha Womans University · Seoul
Ewha Enrolled Student TOPIK Scholarship
Enrolled undergraduate award after international special admission, not an admission scholarship. The verified Fall 2026 application period has closed.
New TOPIK 6 within one year; prior-award exclusions; Korean-law course
Undergraduate
KRW 1,000,000 tuition reduction for one semester
Other awards may be combined only within the tuition total and subject to the listed prior-award exclusions.
Language requirement: TOPIK ≥ 6
Regular Fall 2026 undergraduate enrollment after international special admission. Newly obtain TOPIK 6 within one year of the application month and complete the 2026-1 Korean Law Education extracurricular course. Previous EGPP, Korean government scholarship, ISS F and TOPIK 4/5/6 scholarship recipients are excluded. Once only within the permitted study period. Submit the online application with the TOPIK report. This call closed July 24, 2026.
Minimum GPA: 2 / 4.3
Closed Fall 2026 · Scholarship application deadline: 2026-07-24 KST
Online application through the official notice form; attach the TOPIK score report. Results were scheduled for July 29 via the university email account.
One-semester tuition-bill deduction, payable once within the permitted study period. There is no automatic renewal. Other scholarships can be combined only within tuition and subject to the listed prior-award exclusions. The reviewed Fall 2026 call is closed; no later call is implied.
University scholarshipAdditional eligibility conditions
Gyeongkuk National University · Andong
GKNU TOPIK Achievement Scholarship
Foreign special-admission self-funded student who newly obtains the required higher TOPIK level after admission and within one year; no tuition charge in the semester is disqualifying.
Post-admission TOPIK improvement; maximum two awards while enrolled
Undergraduate; Master; PhD
KRW 300,000 · Up to two awards while enrolled
Ten students planned. If applications exceed ten, prior-semester GPA ranking may be used.
Language requirement: A newly obtained higher TOPIK level after admission is required; current level alone does not establish eligibility.
One of three routes: enter with no TOPIK or level 2 or below and obtain level 3+ within one year; enter with level 3 and obtain level 4+ within one year; or obtain level 5+ while enrolled. Newly obtained post-admission scores only. Leave, coursework completion, excess regular semesters, GKS and no tuition charge are excluded. Maximum two awards.
Self-funded foreign special-admission students enrolled in Fall 2026
Open Fall 2026 · Scholarship application deadline: 2027-01-29 KST
Apply through the university's announced TOPIK support programme with proof of a newly obtained qualifying score after admission.
Official source ↗· Programme overview, eligibility routes, exclusions, benefit and schedule
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Later semesters and re-application
Each payment follows a separate TOPIK-improvement application and selection. The award can be paid no more than twice while enrolled; it is not an automatic semester renewal. Leave, coursework completion, excess regular semesters, GKS status and no tuition charge exclude payment under the reviewed call.
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. Korean-taught admission; TOPIK score must be submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: korean
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
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Undergraduate
30% tuition
Language requirement: IELTS ≥ 6.5
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. English score award only for departments taught entirely in English. IELTS submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
International College English-taught departments
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: english
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Undergraduate
50% tuition
Language requirement: TOPIK ≥ 4
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. Korean-taught admission; TOPIK score must be submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: korean
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Undergraduate
50% tuition
Language requirement: IELTS ≥ 7
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. English score award only for departments taught entirely in English. IELTS submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
International College English-taught departments
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: english
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Undergraduate
70% tuition
Language requirement: TOPIK ≥ 5
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. Korean-taught admission; TOPIK score must be submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: korean
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Undergraduate
70% tuition
Language requirement: IELTS ≥ 7.5
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. English score award only for departments taught entirely in English. IELTS submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
International College English-taught departments
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: english
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Undergraduate
100% tuition
Language requirement: TOPIK ≥ 6
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. Korean-taught admission; TOPIK score must be submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: korean
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Undergraduate
100% tuition
Language requirement: IELTS ≥ 8
Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Admission through the international student track required. English score award only for departments taught entirely in English. IELTS submitted by the document deadline of your application round. Government-funded students excluded. Design, Arts and Sports admission units can apply only in round2.
International College English-taught departments
Both parents must have non-Korean nationality
Admission track: english
Closed Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 1 deadline: 2026-10-22 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 2 deadline: 2026-11-26 KST · 16:00 KST
Upcoming Spring 2027 · Admission application · Freshman International Admission · Round 3 deadline: 2026-12-29 KST · 16:00 KST
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Later semesters and re-application
First semester only. From semester 2, separate merit awards cover 30%, 50%, 70% or 100% tuition. At least 12 credits, no F grades, GPA 2.5 or higher and the applicable year-specific TOPIK standard are required. Sungkok (100% tuition) additionally requires GPA 3.8 or higher. Awards are selected by relative ranking, not guaranteed by meeting these minimums.
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Official source ↗· PDF pages 6–7 admission units and timeline; PDF pages 16–17 scholarships
Source checked:
Later semesters and re-application
Improvement award depends on the TOPIK level recorded at admission. If already paid, a higher level earns only the remaining difference; repeated payment of the same total is not provided.
All required: prior GPA threshold (or equivalent 3.83/4.3, 3.57/4.0, 90/100); language threshold TOEFL iBT90 OR IELTS7.0 OR New TEPS386 OR TOPIK6; department recommendation. Relative selection; all required academic, language and recommendation conditions must be satisfied. Business Analytics excluded; no concurrent GKS/foundation award.
Foreign graduate applicant
Minimum GPA: 4 / 4.5
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Official source ↗· Requirements A–C, first-semester restriction, Benefits A–C
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Later semesters and re-application
The entrance award covers the first semester only. From semester 2, apply and be selected again each semester based on GPA; the award rate can differ by college. Continued funding is not automatic.
All required: prior GPA threshold (or equivalent 3.36/4.3, 3.14/4.0, 85/100); language TOEFL iBT82 OR IELTS6.0 OR New TEPS337 OR TOPIK4; department recommendation. Relative selection; all required academic, language and recommendation conditions must be satisfied. Business Analytics excluded; no concurrent GKS/foundation award.
Foreign graduate applicant
Minimum GPA: 3.5 / 4.5
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Official source ↗· Requirements A–C, first-semester restriction, Benefits A–C
Source checked:
Later semesters and re-application
The entrance award covers the first semester only. From semester 2, apply and be selected again each semester based on GPA; the award rate can differ by college. Continued funding is not automatic.
Natural sciences/engineering foreign scholarship; official page notes language/GPA qualifications and department recommendation. Medicine only this 65% type; Business Analytics ineligible. Relative selection; all required academic, language and recommendation conditions must be satisfied. Business Analytics excluded; no concurrent GKS/foundation award.
Foreign graduate applicant
Application dates are not listed for this policy. Check the official announcement for a new call.
Official source ↗· Requirements A–C, first-semester restriction, Benefits A–C
Source checked:
Later semesters and re-application
The entrance award covers the first semester only. From semester 2, apply and be selected again each semester based on GPA; the award rate can differ by college. Continued funding is not automatic.
Verified 2026 SNU route: new graduate entrants in Korean language or Korean studies from 15 eligible countries in Asia and Africa. GKS recipients excluded.
Apply through SNU’s college nomination process. July 13 was the central recommendation deadline; student deadlines were earlier. Other partner universities issue their own calls.
Master’s: up to 4 semesters; PhD: 8; integrated: 10. Continued support requires the foundation’s semester assessment and the regular study period.
University application routes (1)
Seoul National University
Closed All 2026 · University route deadline: 2026-07-13 KST
Apply through SNU’s college nomination process. July 13 was the central recommendation deadline; student deadlines were earlier. Other partner universities issue their own calls.
Verified 2026 SNU route: new graduate entrants in Korean language or Korean studies from 15 eligible countries in Asia and Africa. GKS recipients excluded.
GS1: full tuition and KRW 1,200,000/month; airfare has separate entry/departure conditions. GS2: full tuition. Optional Fall 2026 evening Korean course tuition may be combined with GS1/GS2.
Foreign SNU graduate degree students, including Fall 2026 entrants, with at least one regular semester remaining. Coursework-completed students and students on/planning leave are excluded. GKS recipients are ineligible.
Apply separately through mySNU with a reason of up to 400 characters. Fall 2026 applications closed July 12, 2026 at 23:00 KST. New students first pay tuition, then receive a refund if selected. Entry airfare is limited to new students arriving within 60 days before notification or afterwards; return airfare requires recipient status, February 2027 graduation and departure before March 1.
One semester only, September 2026–February 2027. Leave after selection ends eligibility and requires repayment. Other scholarships cannot be held concurrently.
University application routes (1)
Seoul National University
Closed Fall 2026 · University route deadline: 2026-07-12 KST · 23:00 KST
Apply separately through mySNU with a reason of up to 400 characters. Fall 2026 applications closed July 12, 2026 at 23:00 KST. New students first pay tuition, then receive a refund if selected. Entry airfare is limited to new students arriving within 60 days before notification or afterwards; return airfare requires recipient status, February 2027 graduation and departure before March 1.
Does being self-funded automatically make me eligible?
No. Degree, admission route, GPA, language, enrollment stage, nationality, documents and selection conditions still apply.
Can I give up GKS and receive one of these awards?
Do not assume so. Timing, prior-award rules and withdrawal consequences vary; obtain written guidance from both administrators before changing funding.