Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U) 2025 – Application Process and Eligibility Check

Ever dreamt of studying in Korea, completely free of charge? The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U) for 2025 is your golden ticket! Imagine: tuition fees covered, a monthly allowance for living expenses, even your flights taken care of. And the best part? Applying is a breeze – no complicated forms, no application fees, just multiple pathways to submit your dream. Whether you choose the Embassy or University track, this scholarship opens doors to a world-class education and unforgettable experiences in the heart of Korea.

Ready to turn your dreams into reality? Let’s explore the incredible benefits and easy application process of this life-changing opportunity!

Benefits of the GKS Scholarship

• Tuition Coverage: The scholarship covers tuition fees up to a maximum of 5 million KRW per semester. Any amount above this will be paid by the student’s host university.
• Korean Language Training: One year of language training is included before starting the degree program. This is mandatory unless students already hold a TOPIK level 5 or 6 certificate.
• Monthly Allowance: Undergraduate students receive a monthly living allowance of 900,000 KRW.
• Airfare: The scholarship provides round-trip airfare for all recipients from their home country to Korea.
• Medical Insurance: Scholars are entitled to medical insurance, covering basic health care.
• Settlement and Completion Grants: Settlement allowance of 200,000 KRW upon arrival, and 100,000 KRW upon degree completion.
• Korean Proficiency Grant: Additional monthly stipends for students who achieve high levels in the TOPIK exam during the program.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the 2025 GKS scholarship, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship: Applicants and their parents must hold citizenship in one of the countries invited by the GKS program. Dual citizens (those with Korean nationality) are ineligible.
• Age: Applicants must be under the age of 25, born after March 1, 2000.
• Academic Background:
  • Candidates must have completed their high school education by March 1, 2025.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher on a 100-point scale or be in the top 20% of their class.
• Health: All applicants must be in good physical and mental health to study abroad for the duration of their degree program.
• Language Requirements: No prior knowledge of Korean is required. However, those who already have a TOPIK level 5 or 6 certificate are exempted from the one-year language training.

Pathways to Apply for GKS-U 2025 Undergrad Scholarship Program

The GKS application process consists of three rounds: Document Screening, Interview, and Final Selection. Here’s how the process works:

1# Choose an Application Track

• • Embassy Track: Applicants apply through the Korean embassy in their home country. They may choose up to three different universities and must include at least one university from the Type B list (less competitive universities).
  • University Track: Applicants apply directly to a designated university in Korea. University Track applicants can apply to only one university and department.

2# Prepare Following Required Documents for GKS 2025 Application

• • Application form (https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/scholarship/Gks1NoticeDetail.do?nttId=4233)
  • Personal statement
  • Study plan
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Certificates of citizenship (for both the applicant and parents)
  • High school graduation certificate and transcripts
  • Proof of Korean language proficiency (TOPIK) or English language proficiency (optional)
  • Medical assessment form
  • Additional documents for applicants applying under specific categories (e.g., Korean War veterans, Overseas Koreans)

3# Submit the Application

• • Embassy Track: Submit the required documents to the Korean embassy in your home country. Deadlines vary by embassy, but results of the first round of selection will be announced by October 11, 2024.
  • University Track: Submit the application directly to the university by the deadline. The last date to submit your GKS-U scholarship application for the batch of 2025 is scheduled after October 25, 2024.

4# Selection Process

• • The first round of selection will be conducted by either the Korean embassy or the university. Successful applicants will proceed to the second round, where the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) will screen applications.
  • The third round of selection applies only to embassy track applicants. After passing the second round, these candidates’ applications will be sent to the universities for final screening.
  • Final results for both tracks will be announced in January 2025.