Scholarships in Korea Beyond GKS: Government, University, and Private Options

"If I do not get GKS, does that mean I cannot study in Korea with a scholarship?"

No. GKS is the best-known option, but it is not the only one. Some scholarships accept direct applications. Others require a nomination from a university, embassy, or home government.

GoKorea Study is an information service. We publish what the official notices actually say, so you can decide for yourself. We share free information in simple English. Always check the newest official notice.

This article is information only. It is not legal or immigration advice. A scholarship does not settle admission or visa requirements. Confirm those rules with your university, the Korean embassy, Korean immigration, and the official notice.

The Short Answer

These 18 scholarships in Korea for international students fall into three practical groups:

• Korean government and public programs, including GKS-related support, KOICA, KF, and AMA+
• Local and regional programs connected to Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam
• Corporate and foundation programs from Samsung, POSCO, Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, Lotte, Woojung, and Daewoong

Here, "university options" means university-linked funding. Seoul Tech combines city and graduate-school support, while several private foundations require university nominations. The application route matters most.

Where GKS Fits in the Scholarship Map

GKS is the national flagship. NIIED offers degree funding and separate support for eligible exchange students. This guide does not repeat GKS eligibility, tracks, or degree types.

For the full explanation, read Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): The Complete Guide (2026). This page maps the alternatives.

Scholarship Map: 18 Listings and Their Application Routes

1. Government and Public Scholarships

GKS Degree Programs

The three GKS degree listings cover government-funded study with tuition, Korean-language training, airfare, and an allowance. Openings and routes depend on the current GKS notice, so use the complete GKS guide instead of comparing degree types here. See the full listings for undergraduate, graduate, and associate degree.

GKS Exchange Student Support Program

This non-degree program is for eligible inbound exchange students whose overseas university has an agreement with a Korean host university selected by NIIED. It provides KRW 630,000 per month and round-trip airfare within the payment standard. Timing depends on the selected host university, and students are nominated through their universities. See the full listing.

AMA+

AMA+ is for talented arts applicants from eligible OECD DAC ODA-recipient countries. It covers tuition, airfare, Korean-language training, insurance, and a monthly allowance. For 2027 entry, online applications were open from May 5 to 15, 2026, directly through K-Arts. See the full listing.

KOICA Scholarship Program

KOICA is for government officials from designated ODA partner countries, not general self-funded applicants. It covers tuition, airfare, accommodation, living support, insurance, and a completion grant. A home government must nominate the applicant through a KOICA overseas office or Korean embassy; check that office for the country deadline. See the full listing.

KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training

This fellowship is for non-Korean students, researchers, educators, and professionals already connected to Korean studies or Korea-related work abroad. It covers intensive language training, living expenses, tuition, insurance, and travel support. Training starts in March or September, but check the official notice for the application dates and apply through the KF portal. See the full listing.

2. Local and Regional Scholarships

Regional programs usually require a local link. Studying, living, joining activities, or planning to settle there may matter.

Daejeon and Jeonnam

Daejeon's international-student track is for strong international undergraduates at universities in Daejeon. The 2026 plan states a one-time KRW 1,500,000 award and schedules the detailed notice for around September. The route runs through the university International Office and the Daejeon Youth Portal. See the full listing.

Jeonnam's dedicated track is for recommended international undergraduates studying in Jeollanam-do who meet the residence and remaining-stay conditions in the notice. A first-half round ran in 2026, but the exact next window and amount should be checked in the official notice. See the full listing.

Jeonbuk and Busan

Jeonbuk's Sangsaeng program supports international students who want to continue to graduate study and settle in the region. The official amount, eligibility details, opening dates, and application method were not published in the available notice, so contact JBICA or a participating university. See the full listing.

Busan's program links scholarship support to foundation and community activities for international students at Busan universities. The last confirmed named round was in 2024, and no 2025 or 2026 notice was confirmed. Check the official notice before preparing an application. See the full listing.

Seoul Tech Scholarship: A City-University Hybrid

Despite its name, Seoul Tech Scholarship is led by Seoul Metropolitan Government, with partner graduate schools jointly supporting tuition. It targets international STEM master's applicants and provides full tuition, KRW 1,000,000 per month, insurance support, and entry airfare within an annual package of about KRW 20 million. The 2026 cycle required both online and postal submission; check the next official notice. See the full listing.

3. Corporate and Foundation Scholarships

Private awards often begin after university admission or enrollment. In this group, nomination is more common than direct application.

Samsung, POSCO, and Hyundai

Samsung Global Hope supports students from OECD DAC ODA-recipient countries who have financial need and study at partner universities. The official benefit is KRW 4,800,000 per semester. Nominations are handled by the partner university in recurring spring and fall rounds. See the full listing.

POSCO Global Scholarship in Korea supports admitted international master's and doctoral students in eligible fields at partner universities. It provides full tuition and KRW 1,000,000 per month, plus settlement and insurance support. The graduate school must recommend you; check the official notice for exact dates. See the full listing.

Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation supports eligible incoming students from its listed countries and fields at partner universities. The graduate package includes full tuition and KRW 1,200,000 per month, plus settlement and completion support. Applications move from the department to the university International Office, then to the foundation. See the full listing.

Lotte, Woojung, and Daewoong

The Lotte foreign-student program mainly supports international graduate students at GIST, UNIST, and DGIST with living-expense funding. Students do not apply directly to the foundation. Check the current university notice for the amount, dates, and nomination process. See the full listing.

Woojung Education & Culture Foundation supports enrolled international students with strong academic performance or financial need. The recorded award is KRW 8,000,000 per year, paid in spring and fall. Selection is recommendation-based through embassies, schools, educators, or the foundation board, with no public fixed deadline. See the full listing.

Daewoong's program combines a scholarship award with workplace experience, projects, mentoring, job classes, and possible hiring links. It is for international undergraduate and graduate students already enrolled in Korea. The 2026 round and current award amount were not confirmed, so check the foundation or your university International Office. See the full listing.

How to Choose Your Best Route

Start with four questions:

1. Are you applying before admission, or are you already enrolled in Korea?
2. Does the program accept your nationality, degree level, field, and region?
3. Can you apply directly, or must a university, embassy, or government nominate you?
4. Is the current round open, and does the official notice confirm the amount and deadline?

Then ask the correct office. Contact your department or International Office for university nominations. Check the city or provincial foundation for regional awards. Use only the official portal named in a direct program's notice.

Related Guides

• Browse the GoKorea Study Scholarship Hub
• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): The Complete Guide (2026)

CTA: Get the Free GKS Success Guide

Join GoKorea Insider for the free GKS Success Guide when it is released, plus clear study-in-Korea information.

카드뉴스 5포인트

1. GKS is not the only scholarship in Korea
   Public, regional, and private programs create other routes.

2. Check the application route first
   Some awards are direct; others require nomination.

3. Regional scholarships need a local link
   Study, residence, activities, or settlement plans may matter.

4. Private awards often start at your university
   Your department or International Office may control the nomination.

5. Never copy last year's deadline or amount
   If the current data is not confirmed, check the official notice.

Reel Script (30-45s)

Hook:
"If I do not get GKS, is my scholarship plan over?" No. Other routes exist.

Point 1:
Public options include KOICA, KF, AMA+, and exchange support.

Point 2:
Cities and provinces offer scholarships linked to Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam.

Point 3:
Samsung, POSCO, Hyundai, Lotte, Woojung, and Daewoong also have programs.

Point 4:
Check the route first. Many programs require a university, embassy, or government nomination.

Send-CTA:
Send this to a friend searching for scholarships in Korea. Join GoKorea Insider for the free GKS Success Guide.