Applications for the GKS Scholarship 2027 opened on September 15, 2026, and the Embassy Track closes on September 30 at 6 PM KST. That's a short window, so knowing exactly what you're eligible for and which track fits you matters more than usual. This guide walks through what the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 actually pays for, who qualifies, and how to apply through either the Embassy Track or the University Track.
What the GKS Scholarship 2027 actually pays for
Tuition support covers up to KRW 5 million from NIIED, and your university picks up anything above that amount, along with your admission fee. You won't pay out of pocket for either.
Airfare is covered too. Scholars get an economy-class flight ticket, based on actual expenses, to get you to Korea in the first place.
If you're placed in the Korean language program, NIIED provides KRW 5.2 million per year to cover it. Most scholars go through one year of language training before starting their degree.
The monthly allowance changes depending on where you are in the program. During the Korean language phase, you receive KRW 13,560,000 per year, which works out to about KRW 1,130,000 a month. Once you move into your degree program, that rises to KRW 14,400,000 per year, or roughly KRW 1,200,000 a month. The bump reflects the higher cost of living as a full-time degree student.
Beyond the monthly stipend, scholars get a one-time settlement allowance when they arrive, medical insurance for the full scholarship period, and a completion grant once they finish. If you already hold TOPIK level 5 or 6, or reach that level during training, you qualify for an extra proficiency grant. Starting your Korean study early pays off here in more ways than one.
Who can apply for GKS Scholarship 2027
Nationality comes first. You need to hold citizenship from a country NIIED has designated for the program, and just as important, your parents cannot hold Korean citizenship either. If you or a parent has dual citizenship that includes Korean nationality, you're not eligible. The UIC program is the one exception, open to applicants from any nationality.
Age is a hard cutoff. You must have been born after March 1, 2002. There's no flexibility on this date, so check it before you invest time in the rest of the application.
Education requirements split by degree type. For a bachelor's program, you need to have graduated high school, or be on track to graduate by December 31, 2026, and expected graduates submit that proof by the same date. If you already hold an associate degree, you can still apply for a bachelor's program. For an associate program, high school graduation alone is enough. One rule applies across the board: if you already hold a bachelor's degree, you can't apply to GKS Undergraduate at all.
Grades come down to one of two paths. Either you scored 80% or higher on a 100-point scale (or ranked in the top 20% of your class), or your CGPA meets one of four scale equivalents: 2.64 out of 4.0, 2.80 out of 4.3, 2.91 out of 4.5, or 3.23 out of 5.0. You only need to satisfy one of these, not all of them.
Health requirements are simple on paper: you need to be in good enough physical and mental condition to complete a multi-year program abroad.
Embassy Track vs University Track, which one fits you
The two tracks work differently from the ground up. Embassy Track applications go through the Study in Korea website, and your first round of review happens at the Korean embassy handling your country. You can list up to three universities as your choices. University Track applications skip the embassy step entirely. You apply straight to one chosen university, following whatever submission process that school sets, and that university handles your first review.
You can only use one track. Applying through both at the same time isn't allowed and can get your application disqualified. That said, there's one workaround: if you fail the Embassy Track's first round, you may still apply through University Track, as long as that university's deadline hasn't passed yet.
So how do you choose? It mostly comes down to your nationality and which universities you're targeting. Some countries only offer one track through their embassy. If you have a specific university in mind that runs its own University Track process, applying there directly might get you a more predictable review than competing for one of three embassy-nominated slots.
How to apply for GKS Scholarship 2027, step by step
For the Embassy Track, start by creating an account on the official Study in Korea website. From there, complete every required section of the application form and upload your supporting documents. Review everything carefully, because once you submit before September 30, 2026, at 6 PM KST, you can't make further edits. Double-check your university and department choices match what you actually want, since NIIED and your embassy will be evaluating exactly what you submitted.
For the University Track, the process looks different. You won't use the Study in Korea system at all. Instead, go to your chosen university's admissions page and follow their specific submission method, which could mean mailing physical documents, submitting in person, or using an online portal the university sets up itself. These deadlines run later than the Embassy Track, generally stretching from September through November, but the exact date depends entirely on the university.
Whichever track you pick, don't apply to both. Submitting duplicate applications across tracks or multiple universities under University Track gets flagged, and NIIED rejects those outright. Pick one path, confirm your target university's specific requirements, and stick with it.
Key GKS Scholarship 2027 dates you can't miss
- Embassy Track opens: September 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM KST
- Embassy Track deadline: September 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM KST
- University Track window: September through November 2026, exact date varies by university
If you're an expected 2026 high school graduate, keep in mind your proof of graduation is due by December 31, 2026, regardless of which track you apply through.
Conclusion
The choice between Embassy Track and University Track shapes almost everything else about your application, so settle that first before you touch a single form. If you're going Embassy Track, September 30 at 6 PM KST is a hard stop. If University Track fits you better, head to your target university's admissions page now, since their specific deadline and submission method won't wait for you to find them later.
