Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) for International Undergraduate Students

Overview

2012-2013 Korean Government Scholarship Program for International Students for an Undergraduate Degree. Korean government invites 100 international students from 62 countries who wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in Korea. To be selected as a KGSP grantee, any applicant should successfully pass through the 1st selection process set by the Korean embassies (or Consulates) of his or her origin. So to apply for the program, please contact the 1st selection organizations to get detailed information on the 1st selection process such as application deadline and required documents, etc.

* Application deadline may differ from one country to another; it will be expected to fall in late September or early October. As for the application guideline, please refer to the attached files.

1. Objective

The objective of the Korean Government Scholarship Program for an undergraduate degree is to provide international students with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea in order to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between the countries.

2. Total Number of Scholarships Available: 100 [from 62 countries]

Afghanistan 1, Angola 2, Azerbaijan 1, Bangladesh 3, Bolivia 2, Brazil 2, Brunei 1, Bulgaria 1, Butan 1, Cambodia 2, Chile 1, Colombia 3, Congo(DRC) 1, Dominica 2, Egypt 1, El Salvador 1, Ethiopia 3, Gabon 1, Ghana 2, Guatemala 1, Indonesia 2, Iran 2, Japan 2, Kazakhstan 2, Kenya 2, Kuwait 1, Kyrgyzstan 2, Laos 2, Malaysia 1, Mexico 2, Mongolia 3, Mozambique 1, Myanmar 1, Nepal 3, Nigeria 2, Oman 1, Pakistan 2, Panama 2, Paraguay 2, Peru 3, Philippines 2, Poland 1, Romania 2, Rwanda 1, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia 1, Senegal 1, Singapore 1, South Africa 1, Sri Lanka 3, Sweden 1, Tajikistan 1, Tanzania 1, Thailand 1, Timor-Este 1, Turkey 1, Uganda 1, Ukraine 2, Uzbekistan 2, Venezuela 1, Vietnam 2, Yemen 1

3. Academic Programs: Undergraduate degree course (4 yrs.) after preliminary Korean Language course (1yr.)

Grantees should take a preliminary Korean language course at the institution designated by NIIED. The institution will be specified in a letter of invitation after the announcement of final successful candidates.
Grantees should reach level 3 in TOPIK after the completion of a Korean language course.
The grantees with level 5 or higher in TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) can be exempt from the preliminary Korean language course. They may begin their bachelor’s degree course in the coming spring or fall semester.


4. Fields of Study: 4-year undergraduate degree programs provided by the universities below

1. Ajou University
2. Cheongju University
3. Chonnam National University
4. Chosun University
5. Chungbuk National University
6. Chungnam National University
7. Daegu University
8. Daejeon University
9. Dong-A University
10. Dongguk University
11. Ewha Woman’s University
12. Gyonggi University
13. Gyeongsang National University
14. Hanllym University
15. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
16. Hanyang University
17. Inha University
18. Jeonju University
19. Kangwon National University
20. Keimyung University
21. Kongju National University
22. Konkuk University
23. Kongyang University
24. Kookmin University
25. Korea University
26. Kyunghee University
27. Mokpo National University
28. Myongji University
29. Pai Chai University
30. Pukyung National University
31. Pusan National University
32. Seoul National University
33. Sogang University
34. Sookmyung Women’s University
35. Soon Chun Yang University
36. Sung Kyun Kwan University
37. Sunmoon University
38. Ulsan University
39. Woosuk University
40. Woosong University
41. Yonsei University

5. Qualifications: Prospective applicant must meet the following qualification criteria;

1. Must be a citizen of the country to which scholarships are offered, which is also applied to his/her parents
   • Both applicant and his/her parents must not be a holder of Korean citizenship
2. Should be under 25 years of age as of March 1, 2012 (Should be born after March, 1, 1987)
3. Have adequate health, both physically and mentally
   • NOT Eligible: those who are pregnant or who have a severe illness
4. Have graduated or be scheduled to graduate from a high school as of March 1, 2012
   • NOT Eligible: those who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree
5. Must possess above 80% (out of 100%) cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.) during their entire high school period
   • C.G.P.A. should be 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or higher [see Appendix 3]
   • If applicant’s high school evaluation criteria differs from the stated above, see 7-(2)-?
6. Must not at any time have ever received a Korean government scholarship for an undergraduate study
7. Must not have enrolled in an undergraduate course in Korea before
   • NOT Eligible: those who have ever enrolled at a Korean university as an exchange student
8. Must have no limitations in travelling abroad
9. They may be preferential selection for applicants who have proficiency in Korean or English

6. Scholarship Benefits

1. Scholarship Period: March 1, 2012 ~ February 28, 2017
2. Scholarship Benefits
   • Airplane ticket or airfare: The grantees will receive an airplane ticket or be paid an economy class airfare of the shortest route between their country and Korea when they come to Korea, and, thereafter, when they leave Korea after completion of their study.
   • Monthly Stipend: 800,000 won per month
   • Tuitions: The full tuition is exempted by the Korean Government and the entrance fee for the first semester by the host university.
   • Settlement Allowance: 200,000 won upon arrival
   • Repatriation Allowance: 100,000 won upon completion of studies
   • Korean Language Training Expenses: The full costs up to 1 year (NIIED pays directly to the language training institution)
   • Medical Insurance: The grantees will be provided with health insurance for major accidents and illnesses during their scholarship period.
3. NOTES
   • NIIED does not compensate fees for the domestic travel both in the grantee’s country and Korea.
   • Airfare for entry into Korea will not be provided to a grantee that has been staying in Korea as of the date of announcement of successful candidates
   • NIIED does not compensate fees for insurance for traveling to and from Korea.
   • The medical fee is to be reimbursed through the insurance company to the grantee after s/he pays first. However, the expense for dental clinic or chronic disease will not be covered.
   • Any grantee who gives up his/her study during the scholarship period will not receive airfare and allowance for repatriation.
   • Any grantee that quits the program within 3 months after s/he entering Korea, should refund all scholarship fees (The airfare of arriving Korea, settlement allowance, monthly stipend, Korean language training expenses, etc.).

7. Required Documents

1. Required Documents: 1 set of the original documents below, and 3 sets of the photocopied ones (EXCEPT ?: recommendation letters should be submitted as sealed by the recommenders)
   • One Completed Application Form ( Form 1)
   • One NIIED Pledge (Form 2)
   • One Personal Statement ( Form 3)
   • One Study Plan (Form 4)
   • Two Recommendation Letters (from two different recommenders stated below, Form 5)
     • Applicant’s high school teacher or principal, or academic advisor, etc.
   • One Personal Medical Assessment (Form 6)
   • One Graduation Certificate of High School
     • Expectant graduate: One original Provisional Graduation Certificate of High School
   • One High School Grade Transcripts (including a description of the school grading system)
   • Certificates of Citizenship of the Applicant and his/her Parents (A Birth Certificate, a Certificate indicating Parent-child Relationship, Parents’ Passport, etc.)
   • One Certificate of Korean or English Proficiency (if applicable)
   • One Certificate of Health authorized by a medical doctor (Form 7, only for candidates who successfully pass through the 2nd selection)
   • One Copy of the Applicant’s Passport (only for candidates who successfully pass through the 2nd selection)
2. NOTES
   • 1 set of the original documents and 3 sets of the photocopied ones should be placed in a separate envelope.
   • Original documents should be submitted. However, should they be available, copies must be authenticated by the issuing institution that they are the same with the originals.
   • English Name Spelling in the application form MUST be exactly the same as in the passport.
   • If there is any inconsistency in the applicant’s name or birth date on submitted documents, further evidential document to verify it should be attached.
   • Those applicants who submits a Provisional Graduation Certificate of High School as an expectant graduate during the application period should submit his or her Graduation Certificate of High School upon arrival in Korea
   • When submitting the documents, the documents should be arranged by the checklist order in the FORM 1. Each document can be stapled, but do not staple all the documents together, or do not put them into a transparent file one by one.
   • Application form and other materials should be filled out either in Korean or in English. The documents such as certificates or credentials issued in languages other than Korean or English must include official notarized translation, which is to be put before the original.
   • All of the materials should be A4 sized ones; if smaller, attach the material to an additional A4 sized paper; if bigger, fold it up to be an A4 sized one.
   • A high school grade transcript should contain a description of the school grading system. And if the applicant class rank or percentile is not stated in the transcript, you should submit an additional official certificate issued by your high school to prove that your academic achievement satisfies 5-(5) above.
   • Other documents except the ones written on a form prescribed by NIIED should contain their numbers and names on the top right. (ex).? Graduation Certificate of High School
   • Mailing address should be stated in full including postal-code.
   • Submitted documents will not be returned to the applicant. So please make and keep photocopies of all application packages.
   • Incomplete or incorrect documents may lead to application rejection or failure in the selection procedures.

8. Application Deadline: Set forth by the Korean Embassy or Consulate

• As for detailed information on application deadline and submission of required documents, applicants should contact the APPROPRIATE KOREAN EMABASSY or CONSULATE in the country of applicant’s origin (or in the neighboring country), the 1st selection organization.
• Applications SHOULD be made through the 1st selection organization. Applications DIRECTLY FROM AN APPLICANT or THROUGH FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN KOREA are NOT accepted.

9. Selection Procedures

1. ~ September 1 [1st SELECTION] Korean embassy or consulate (hereafter KE) announces its plan of selection of candidates
   • Applicants check the KE plan [*Application deadline is to be decided by KE]
2. September ~ October KE selects qualified candidates
   • Applicants submit the required documents and have an interview according to the KE plan
3. ~ November 11 KE recommends the qualified candidates to NIIED
4. November 25 [2ND SELECTION] It is done by NIIED Selection Committee. NIIED announces the result of the 2nd selection
   • Candidates who successfully pass through the 2nd selection submit a copy of their visa and a health certificate(FORM 7) to KE (KE forwards them to NIIED)
5. December ~ January 13, 2012 [3RD SELECTION] Application for admission to a university
   • NIIED sends candidates’ documents to the relevant universities: December 2, 2011
   • Each university takes the following procedures and announces its successful applicants: ~ January 6, 2012
     • Candidates confirm their acceptance of the university that they receive admission to: January 10, 2012
   • Each university notifies the NIIED of candidates’ choice: January 13, 2012
6. January 17 NIIED announces the final successful candidates
7. February 10 KE notifies NIIED of the grantee’ entry itinerary
   • Grantees check their entry itinerary and make preparations to enter Korea
8. February 20 ~ 29 -> Grantees enter Korea

NOTES (regarding application for admission to a university)

• Applicants should follow the guidelines for application for admission to a university set by NIIED.
• Applicants should choose up to 3 preferred universities in filling out FORM 1, FORM 4 and FORM 5; make sure to pick ONLY ONE department (or major) for a preferred university.
• Before choosing the preferred universities and departments (or majors), it is advised that you contact the universities the programs of which you are interested in to gather the detailed information on them.[see Appendix 1-2]
• After the announcement of the result of the 2nd selection, NIIED will forward the candidates’ documents to the PREFERRED UNIVERSITIES as written in the application forms when they apply for this scholarship program. So make sure that your choice of the preferred universities and departments (or majors) is right and correct when filling out the application forms.
• Regarding the required documents for application for admission, some other materials may be required, according to the policy of the specific colleges or departments in relation to fine arts, music or physical education. In such case, applicants should submit the required documents upon the relevant university’s request.
• If candidates do not receive admission from any of their three university choices they will be disqualified from receiving a KGSP scholarship.
• Transferring to a different university is NOT allowed after confirming his/her final choice of a university.
• Regardless of university admission, the grantee should reach level 3 in TOPIK upon completion of the preliminary Korean language course, before starting to study a bachelor’s degree course. Otherwise, s/he cannot start his/her degree course; s/he may take an additional 6 month Korean language course within the scholarship period stipulated in a letter of invitation.

10. Other Important things

1. Entry
   1. Grantees must arrive in Korea by February 29, 2012. In case a grantee does not enter Korea by the designated date without any special reason, his/her scholarship will be canceled.
   2. Prior to arrival, grantees should acquire some knowledge about Korea and Korean culture, etc. In particular, it is advisable that grantees learn as much Korean as possible as most classes at a Korean university are conducted in Korean. (Please visit the KOSNET site below for on-line programs to learn Korean)
      • Korean Language Study http://www.kosnet.go.kr
      • Korean Universities http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr
      • Korean Culture http://korea.net/
      • The Korean Embassy abroad http://www.mofat.go.kr
      • Entry & Residence http://immigration.go.kr.
2. Housing
   • Grantees will reside in a university dormitory.
   • The dormitory fee will be deducted out of the monthly stipend by the university.
3. Cancellation and Temporary suspension of Scholarship
   1. Cancellation of Scholarship: If a grantee is found engaged in any of the following activities during his/her stay in Korea, his/her scholarship will be suspended and then will be disqualified from a grantee position.
      • When any documents of the scholarship application has been found false
      • When the grantee is punished by the university s/he belongs to
      • When the grantee has violated the written pledge which s/he has given to NIIED
      • When the grantee has violated the guidelines and regulations set by NIIED
      • When the grantee does not get admission to a university after the preliminary one year Korean language course
      • When the grantee does not reach level 1 in TOPIK after the completion of the preliminary one year Korean language course
      • When the grantee does not reach level 3 in TOPIK after the completion of the additional 6 month Korean language course
      • When the grantee has not earned at least 2/3 of the registered credit courses of the semester
      • When the grantee goes to his/her country of origin or to another country for the purpose of joining an exchange program operated by the university s/he belongs to
      • When the grantee has not notified NIIED of re-enrollment without any proper reasons after the period of ‘leave of absence from school’ has ended
      • When the grantee gets more than three warnings
      • When the grantee has given up his/her studies
   2. Temporary suspension of Scholarship
      • While taking a preliminary Korean language course, grantees may stay out of Korea for up to 2 weeks during semester; for up to 4 weeks within the period of vacation during vacation with permission from the Korean language institute they belong to. However, the scholarship for the period of absence will not be paid
      • While taking a bachelor’s degree course, grantees may stay out of Korea for up to 60 days at one departure, with permission from the university they belong to. However, the scholarship for the period of absence exceeding 30 days per semester (including vacation) will not be paid

11. Contact

1. For application & submission of required documents: The APPROPRIATE Korean Embassy or Consulate in the country of applicant’s origin (or in the neighboring country) [see Appendix 1]
2. For university admission: 41 Korean universities [see Appendix 2]
3. For others except the above:
   • NIIED Website: http://www.niied.go.kr [English version: Korean Government Scholarship Students – Q&A, NOTICE]
   • Tel. (82-2) 3668-1357, Fax. (82-2)743-4992

* 2012 KGSP-U Application Guidelines (Final).doc (786 KByte),
* 2012 KGSP-U_FAQ.doc (147 KByte),
* 2012 KGSP-U AVAILABLE UNIVERSITIES(fields of study).xls (653 KByte),
* 2012 KGSP-U APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION (책자).pdf (32,311 KByte),



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