GKS Scholarship Amount 2027
KRW 1.2–1.38 million a month sounds great until you check Seoul rents — and since 2026 that one payment also has to cover housing and health insurance. Here's the real breakdown of what you get and what it costs.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
What GKS actually covers
NIIED now quotes yearly totals: KRW 14,400,000 a year for undergraduate degree years (2027 GKS-U) and KRW 16,560,000 for graduate degree years (2026 GKS-G). During the Korean language year it pays KRW 13,560,000 (undergraduate, about KRW 1.13 million a month) and KRW 14,400,000 (graduate, KRW 1.2 million a month). The 2027 graduate rates are not published yet.
Older rounds paid a lower allowance (this guide used to quote KRW 900,000) with the extras paid separately. The amount went up, but it is now an all-inclusive subsidy: living costs, accommodation, health insurance, the settlement allowance, TOPIK fees, Korean proficiency grants and degree completion grants all come out of this one payment.
NIIED pays up to KRW 5 million of tuition; your university covers anything above that and the admission fee. Research programme scholars get no tuition.
An economy-class flight to Korea at the actual cost. Not paid if you are already living in Korea when selected, or if you fly in from a third country.
The 1-year language programme is fully covered: NIIED pays the institution KRW 5.2 million a year, and you receive the allowance throughout.
You join Korea's National Health Insurance, which covers a large share of medical costs, though you still pay a co-payment for most treatment. The premium is now paid from your allowance.
Scholars exempted from the language year with TOPIK 5 or 6 automatically receive the Korean proficiency grant on top of the base rate.
Monthly costs by city
Approximate monthly expenses for realistic student budgets, not luxury living. Compare them with the allowance: KRW 1.13–1.2 million during the language year, KRW 1.2 million (undergraduate) or 1.38 million (graduate) during the degree.
| Item | Seoul | Busan | Daegu | Gwangju | Daejeon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | ₩400–500K (shared room near campus) | ₩250–350K (shared room) | ₩200–300K | ₩150–250K | ₩180–280K |
| Food | ₩300–400K | ₩250–300K | ₩230–280K | ₩200–250K | ₩220–270K |
| Transport | ₩80K | ₩60K | ₩100K (transport + others) | ₩80K (transport + others) | ₩90K (transport + others) |
| Phone/internet | ₩40K | ₩35K | |||
| Misc (toiletries, supplies) | ₩100K | — | — | — | — |
| Estimated total | ₩1,100,000+ | ₩750,000 | ₩650,000 | ₩580,000 | ₩620,000 |
- Seoul: living here on GKS alone is extremely tight. On the old KRW 900,000 rate it was a deficit; even at today's rates almost nothing is left once insurance also comes out. Many scholars in Seoul rely on savings from home or carefully managed dormitory housing.
- Busan: more manageable. You won't be rich, but you can get by without extra income.
- Daegu: a comfortable surplus.
- Gwangju: the best value for GKS scholars. You can save KRW 200,000+ per month.
- Daejeon (home to KAIST): a good balance of quality universities and affordable living.
The payment delay problem
Here's something nobody warns you about: the allowance often arrives 3–4 weeks into each semester. Your first month in Korea? You're on your own. Bring at least USD 1,000–1,500 in savings to cover the gap.
Some scholars have reported delays of up to 6 weeks at the start of the academic year. NIIED pays through your university, and bureaucratic delays are common, especially when thousands of new scholars arrive at the same time.
"It's a scholarship, not a job. Don't expect monthly paychecks on the 1st. Budget as if you'll be 4 weeks behind at all times." — GKS advisor
If you withdraw within the first 3 months after enrolling, you must repay everything you received after selection — airfare, allowance and tuition.
Related guides
Monthly budgets and work rules.
What campus housing is really like.