The GKS Scholarship 2027, officially known as the Global Korea Scholarship 2027, is one of the most comprehensive scholarships available to international students who want to study in South Korea.
Unlike scholarships that cover only tuition fees, the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 provides financial support for tuition, Korean language education, airfare and living expenses. For undergraduate scholars, the support can continue for several years, depending on the length of the degree program.
According to the official 2027 GKS Undergraduate Application Guidelines released by NIIED, the scholarship period is 5 to 7 years for bachelor’s students and 3 to 4 years for associate degree students, including Korean language training where applicable.
This article explains every major GKS Scholarship 2027 benefit, how much financial support students can receive, what expenses are included in the monthly allowance, and some important conditions applicants should understand before applying.
For more guides, application updates and information about the GKS Scholarship 2027, visit:
What Does GKS Scholarship 2027 Cover?
The GKS Scholarship 2027 provides several major forms of financial support to successful international students.
The main Global Korea Scholarship 2027 benefits are:
- Tuition fee support
- Korean language training fee
- Economy-class airfare
- Monthly allowance during Korean language training
- Monthly allowance during the degree program
- Support within the allowance for accommodation and living expenses
- Health insurance support within the allowance
- Korean proficiency grants within the allowance
- TOPIK application fee support within the allowance
- Settlement allowance within the allowance
- Degree completion grant within the allowance
The official Study in Korea website also identifies airfare, Korean language training fees, tuition and monthly allowances as the major GKS benefits.
Let’s look at each GKS Scholarship 2027 benefit in detail.
1. GKS Scholarship 2027 Tuition Fee Benefit
One of the biggest benefits of the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 is tuition support.
For students studying in a degree program:
NIIED covers up to KRW 5 million in tuition fees.
But what happens if your university tuition costs more than KRW 5 million?
The university is responsible for the amount exceeding KRW 5 million, as well as the admission fee.
Simple Example
Suppose your university tuition is: KRW 4,500,000
NIIED can cover the tuition within its KRW 5 million limit.
Now suppose your tuition is: KRW 6,500,000
NIIED provides support up to KRW 5 million, while the university covers the amount exceeding that limit according to the GKS guidelines.
This means GKS scholars generally do not need to worry about paying regular university tuition from their monthly living allowance.
This is one of the reasons why the GKS Scholarship 2027 is commonly described as a fully funded scholarship.
2. Korean Language Training Fee
Most students selected for the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 Undergraduate Program will first complete a one-year Korean language program before starting their degree.
The Korean language program fee is: KRW 5,200,000 per year
This fee is provided for the Korean language training program separately from the scholar’s living allowance.
The purpose of this year is to help international students improve their Korean language ability before beginning university studies in Korea.
For many international students, this is a particularly valuable benefit because they are receiving professional Korean language education while also receiving financial support for living in Korea.
3. GKS Scholarship 2027 Monthly Allowance
The monthly allowance is one of the most important GKS Scholarship 2027 benefits.
There are different annual allowance amounts depending on whether the student is completing Korean language training or studying in the degree program.
During Korean Language Training
GKS scholars receive: KRW 13,560,000 per year
Divided over 12 months, this is approximately: KRW 1,130,000 per month
During the Degree Program
GKS scholars receive: KRW 14,400,000 per year
Divided over 12 months, this is approximately: KRW 1,200,000 per month
The official 2027 guidelines list these annual figures as the monthly allowance support for GKS scholars.
So, in simple terms:
| GKS Scholarship 2027 Stage | Annual Allowance | Approx. Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Korean Language Program | KRW 13,560,000 | KRW 1,130,000 |
| Degree Program | KRW 14,400,000 | KRW 1,200,000 |
It is important to understand that the guidelines state the official amounts annually. The monthly figures above are simply the annual amounts divided by 12 for easier understanding.
4. What Is Included in the GKS 2027 Monthly Allowance?
There is an important change applicants should understand when reading the GKS Scholarship 2027 benefits.
The official guidelines describe the monthly allowance as an all-inclusive subsidy.
It covers:
Living expenses + Accommodation + Health insurance + Korean proficiency grants + TOPIK application fee + Settlement allowance + Degree completion grants.
This means applicants should not assume that all of these benefits will necessarily be paid as separate additional payments on top of KRW 1.13 million or KRW 1.2 million per month.
Instead, NIIED describes them as components of the all-inclusive allowance.
This distinction is particularly important when comparing Global Korea Scholarship 2027 benefits with information about older versions of GKS available online.
5. Living Expenses Under GKS Scholarship 2027
The monthly allowance is intended to help scholars cover everyday expenses while living in Korea.
This can include expenses such as:
Food, accommodation, transportation, phone bills, personal expenses and other day-to-day costs.
However, students should remember that accommodation is included within the all-inclusive subsidy rather than being listed as a separate unlimited housing benefit.
For example, if your university provides a dormitory, dormitory fees may still need to be handled using your scholarship allowance according to the university’s procedures.
The official guidelines specifically remind applicants that GKS scholars are responsible for accommodation expenses using the monthly allowance they receive.
Therefore, the city and university you choose can affect how far your GKS Scholarship 2027 monthly allowance goes.
6. GKS Scholarship 2027 Airfare Benefit
International travel is another major benefit of the Global Korea Scholarship 2027.
GKS provides:
Economy-class flight ticket based on actual expenses
The airfare support is intended to help selected scholars travel to Korea for their scholarship program.
However, there are important exceptions.
Who Does NOT Receive GKS Entry Airfare?
According to the official GKS Scholarship 2027 guidelines, entry airfare will not be provided to newly selected scholars who are already residing in Korea when the final results are announced.
Additionally, domestic travel expenses within the scholar’s home country and international travel insurance for the journey to Korea are not covered.
Entry airfare and visa application support are also not provided when a scholar enters Korea from a country other than their country of citizenship.
Example
If you are a Pakistani citizen living in Pakistan and are selected for GKS, the standard airfare provisions can apply to your journey to Korea.
However, if you are already living in Korea when the final selection is announced, you will not receive an entry airfare ticket simply because you have become a GKS scholar.
7. Health Insurance Support
Health insurance is another important part of the GKS Scholarship 2027 financial package.
According to the official guidelines, health insurance is included within the all-inclusive monthly allowance.
This is particularly useful for international students because scholars may live in Korea for several years.
However, applicants should avoid interpreting health insurance as a completely separate cash payment on top of the stated allowance. Under the 2027 structure, it is listed as part of the all-inclusive subsidy.
8. Accommodation Support
Another common question is:
“Does GKS Scholarship 2027 provide free accommodation?”
The answer requires some clarification.
Accommodation expenses are included within the all-inclusive monthly allowance, rather than being listed as a separate universal “free housing” benefit.
Many universities have student dormitories, but the exact accommodation arrangement and cost will depend on the university.
This means applicants should research:
Dormitory availability, dormitory fees, cost of living in the university’s city, transportation costs and meal expenses.
This can make a significant difference to your monthly budget.
The official guidelines even advise students to consider living costs when choosing universities because metropolitan areas generally have higher living costs than non-metropolitan areas.
9. TOPIK Application Fee Support
Learning Korean is an important part of the Global Korea Scholarship 2027.
The scholarship allowance includes support associated with the TOPIK application fee.
TOPIK stands for the Test of Proficiency in Korean and is the official Korean-language proficiency examination.
Improving your TOPIK level can also have practical benefits during GKS.
Students who obtain TOPIK Level 5 or 6 may qualify for exemption from Korean language training under certain conditions.
10. Korean Proficiency Grant
The all-inclusive GKS allowance also incorporates a Korean proficiency grant.
An important benefit applies to students who already have advanced Korean proficiency.
The official guidelines specifically state that scholars who are initially exempted from Korean language training because they already hold TOPIK Level 5 or 6 will automatically receive Korean Proficiency Grants.
This provides an additional incentive for applicants to improve their Korean language ability before applying for the GKS Scholarship 2027.
11. Settlement Allowance
Moving to another country involves many initial expenses.
Students may need to purchase bedding, household items, SIM cards, transportation cards, daily necessities and other essentials shortly after arriving in Korea.
The Global Korea Scholarship 2027 therefore includes a settlement allowance as part of its all-inclusive subsidy.
Again, the important point for 2027 applicants is that the settlement allowance is described within the overall allowance package, rather than something applicants should automatically add as a separate amount on top of the stated annual allowance.
12. Degree Completion Grant
The GKS Scholarship 2027 package also includes a degree completion grant within its all-inclusive subsidy.
This is associated with successfully completing the scholarship program.
For undergraduate scholars, this can come after several years in Korea, since bachelor’s scholars may receive GKS support for as long as 5 to 7 years, depending on their degree duration and Korean language training.
13. One Year of Korean Language Education
The Korean language program itself is arguably one of the biggest non-cash benefits of the Global Korea Scholarship 2027.
Normally, a bachelor’s scholar receives:
1 Year Korean Language Program + 4 to 6 Years Degree Program
An associate degree scholar receives:
1 Year Korean Language Program + 2 to 3 Years Degree Program
The Korean government therefore supports scholars not only during their university studies, but also during the Korean language preparation period.
This gives international students time to improve their Korean before beginning full-time university studies.
14. TOPIK Level 5 or 6 Can Save One Year
If you already have excellent Korean language skills, you may not have to complete the one-year Korean language course.
Applicants who submit a valid:
TOPIK Level 5 or TOPIK Level 6
can be exempted from the Korean language program.
Instead, they can proceed directly to their degree program.
This can effectively shorten the overall scholarship period by one year.
There is another opportunity after arriving in Korea.
If a GKS scholar obtains TOPIK Level 5 or 6 within the first six months of Korean language training, the scholar is exempted from the remaining six months and must begin the degree program in the following semester, September 2027.
15. Long-Term Financial Support for Bachelor’s Students
One feature that makes the GKS Scholarship 2027 particularly attractive is how long the support can continue.
A bachelor’s scholarship can last:
5 to 7 Years
This consists of:
1 year Korean language training + 4 to 6 years bachelor’s degree
An associate degree scholarship can last:
3 to 4 Years
This consists of:
1 year Korean language training + 2 to 3 years associate degree.
So the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 is not simply a one-year scholarship or tuition discount. It is designed to support students throughout an entire academic program, subject to the GKS rules and continued scholarship eligibility.
GKS Scholarship 2027 Benefits Summary
Here is an easy-to-understand overview of the major Global Korea Scholarship 2027 benefits:
| Benefit | GKS Scholarship 2027 Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition | NIIED up to KRW 5 million |
| Tuition above KRW 5 million | Covered by university |
| Admission Fee | Covered by university |
| Korean Language Training | KRW 5.2 million/year |
| Allowance during Language Program | KRW 13.56 million/year |
| Approx. Monthly Equivalent | KRW 1.13 million |
| Allowance during Degree Program | KRW 14.4 million/year |
| Approx. Monthly Equivalent | KRW 1.2 million |
| Airfare | Economy-class ticket, actual expense |
| Accommodation | Included within all-inclusive allowance |
| Health Insurance | Included within all-inclusive allowance |
| TOPIK Application Fee | Included within all-inclusive allowance |
| Korean Proficiency Grant | Included within allowance structure |
| Settlement Allowance | Included within all-inclusive allowance |
| Degree Completion Grant | Included within all-inclusive allowance |
The official guidelines also warn that scholarship amounts may be subject to change.
How Much Can a GKS Scholarship 2027 Student Receive?
Let’s make the numbers easier to understand.
Suppose a student completes:
1 year of Korean language training + 4 years of bachelor’s study
Based on the stated 2027 annual allowance figures:
Korean Language Year
KRW 13,560,000
Four Years of Degree Allowance
KRW 14,400,000 × 4 = KRW 57,600,000
Total Allowance Over Five Years
KRW 71,160,000
That is approximately KRW 71.16 million in allowance support alone over five years.
And that does not represent the full monetary value of the scholarship because the program also provides tuition support, Korean language training fees and qualifying airfare.
For example, the Korean language training itself is listed at KRW 5.2 million per year, while NIIED’s tuition support can reach up to KRW 5 million, with the university responsible for the tuition amount exceeding that threshold and the admission fee.
The exact lifetime value of a student’s scholarship will therefore vary depending on the length of their degree, tuition costs, airfare and other applicable factors.
Is GKS Scholarship 2027 Fully Funded?
In practical terms, GKS Scholarship 2027 is a comprehensive government-funded scholarship because it provides support for the major costs associated with studying in Korea, including:
Tuition + Korean language education + living allowance + qualifying airfare.
The Korean government’s official Study in Korea scholarship information likewise lists airfare, language training costs, tuition and study allowances among the core benefits of GKS.
However, “fully funded” should not be interpreted as meaning every personal expense is unlimited or separately reimbursed.
Students still need to budget their allowance for expenses such as accommodation and everyday living costs.
Do GKS Scholars Have to Pay Tuition?
Under the Global Korea Scholarship 2027, the scholarship structure covers the scholar’s tuition according to the official GKS funding arrangement.
NIIED provides up to KRW 5 million, while the university covers the amount exceeding KRW 5 million and the admission fee.
This means tuition is one of the biggest financial burdens removed for successful GKS students.
Does GKS Scholarship 2027 Pay for Accommodation?
Accommodation is covered within the all-inclusive monthly allowance, rather than being listed as a separate unlimited housing scholarship.
Students should therefore carefully compare dormitory and living costs when choosing universities.
This is especially important for students considering universities in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, where living costs can be higher. The official GKS FAQ specifically advises applicants to consider these differences when choosing universities.
Does GKS Scholarship 2027 Cover Flight Tickets?
Yes, the scholarship provides an economy-class flight ticket based on actual expenses, subject to the conditions stated in the guidelines.
However, students already residing in Korea when the final results are announced do not receive entry airfare. Scholars entering Korea from a third country rather than their country of citizenship are also excluded from entry airfare and visa application support.
What Happens If You Quit GKS After Arriving in Korea?
This is an important rule that applicants should know before accepting the Global Korea Scholarship 2027.
If a GKS scholar withdraws from the scholarship within the first three months after enrollment at their university, they must return the full scholarship amount received after being selected as a GKS scholar.
Applicants should therefore accept the scholarship only if they genuinely intend to study and complete their program in Korea.
Why GKS Scholarship 2027 Is One of the Best Scholarships to Study in Korea
The biggest advantage of the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 is not just one particular payment.
It is the combination of several types of support.
Instead of receiving only a tuition waiver, successful students can receive support for university tuition, Korean language education, living costs and qualifying international airfare.
For many students, the opportunity to study Korean for up to a year before beginning their university degree is also extremely valuable.
The program is designed to provide international students with opportunities to study at Korean higher education institutions while promoting international educational exchange and stronger ties between Korea and participating countries.
Final Thoughts on GKS Scholarship 2027 Benefits
The GKS Scholarship 2027, or Global Korea Scholarship 2027, offers an extensive financial support package for international undergraduate students who want to study in South Korea.
For degree students, the most important GKS Scholarship 2027 benefits include tuition support, Korean language training, economy-class airfare and an annual allowance equivalent to approximately KRW 1.2 million per month during the degree program.
Students in the Korean language program receive KRW 13.56 million per year, approximately KRW 1.13 million per month, while degree students receive KRW 14.4 million per year, approximately KRW 1.2 million per month.
Because accommodation, health insurance, Korean proficiency grants, TOPIK fees, settlement support and degree completion grants are described as components of the all-inclusive subsidy, applicants should read the 2027 rules carefully rather than relying on benefit breakdowns from previous GKS years.
NIIED officially announced the 2027 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees on September 9, 2026 and advises applicants to review the application guidelines carefully.
For detailed guides about GKS Scholarship 2027 eligibility, application procedures, required documents, universities, deadlines, Personal Statements, Study Plans and Global Korea Scholarship 2027 updates, visit:
Most importantly, do not simply copy information from previous GKS years. The GKS Scholarship 2027 includes updated quotas, financial benefits, application dates, university choices, evaluation criteria and application procedures, so applicants should prepare their documents using the official 2027 GKS-U Application Guidelines.
You can download the important documents by clicking the following links:
