2026 National Scholarship for High School Students: Eligibility Criteria by Income Bracket and Application Procedures

What is the 2026 National Scholarship for High School Students?

The National Scholarship for High School Students is a government support program operated by the Ministry of Education to reduce tuition burden for low-income students. As of 2026, students attending domestic high schools can receive scholarships of up to 5 million won per year depending on their income bracket. This program is designed to help students focus on education without financial hardship, and application procedures and support criteria are updated annually.

Many students and parents are aware of this program but fail to apply because the application process is complicated or they're unsure if they qualify. This article will explain in detail everything from eligibility criteria by income bracket to the actual application process.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria by Income Bracket

National scholarships are distributed differently based on income brackets. Income brackets are determined by a household's average monthly income and are divided into brackets 1 through 8.

• Brackets 1-3 (basic livelihood recipients, near-poor households, low-income families): Up to 5 million won or more per year
• Brackets 4-5 (lower-middle class): 3.5-4.5 million won per year
• Brackets 6-7 (middle class): 2-3 million won per year
• Bracket 8 and above: Not eligible or limited support

You can check your exact income bracket for free through the Korea Student Aid Foundation website using the 'Income Bracket Inquiry' feature. It's important to determine your income bracket before applying.

Checking Application Eligibility Requirements

To receive the national scholarship, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• Enrollment requirement: Regularly enrolled student at a domestic high school
• Nationality requirement: South Korean citizen (some exceptions for foreign nationals)
• Income criteria: Household in bracket 8 or below (based on household income)
• Credit requirement: No delinquency on student loans
• GPA requirement: 80 points or above in the previous semester (high schools have relatively relaxed standards)
• Tuition payment status: Must have paid or plan to pay tuition to the school

Particularly credit requirements and GPA requirements are frequent reasons for rejection, so verify these before applying.

2026 Application Procedures and Schedule

High school national scholarship applications are primarily processed online through the Korea Student Aid Foundation website (www.kosaf.go.kr). The 2026 application schedule is as follows:

• First recruitment: Mid-March to early April (1st semester application)
• Second recruitment: Mid-August to early September (2nd semester application)
• Additional recruitment: Announced as needed

The application process is straightforward. Visit the Korea Student Aid Foundation website, select the 'National Scholarship' menu, verify your identity (using certified authentication or biometric authentication), and fill out the application form. You can check the review results approximately 2-3 weeks after applying, and scholarships are typically deposited into the student's account within a month of application.

Required Documents and Materials

You don't need to submit separate documents when applying online. However, additional documents may be requested during the review process, so prepare the following in advance:

• Family relationship certificate: To prove relationship with parents
• Income verification documents: Documents proving parents' income (withholding tax receipt, business income report, etc.)
• Bank account copy: Account for scholarship deposit
• Tuition payment confirmation issued by school: Issued by school's student support team upon request

Tip: If your income has changed or you live separately from your parents, clearly explain the situation during application for smoother review.

Understanding Through Real Examples

Example 1) Low-income student - A high school student from a basic livelihood recipient household is classified as bracket 1 and can receive 5 million won or more per year. This amount can cover tuition at most private high schools.

Example 2) Upper-middle class student - If classified as bracket 8 or above, you're not eligible for the general national scholarship, but check if there are separate funds available for specific majors or high-achieving students.

Example 3) Student with credit issues - If a parent is delinquent on a student loan, the child is also ineligible to apply. In this case, consult with your parents to resolve the situation before applying.

Common Mistakes and Solutions

Mistake 1) Applying without paying school tuition - Many students intend to pay tuition after receiving the scholarship, but you must have paid or plan to pay tuition at the time of application. Confirm this with your school.

Mistake 2) Missing the application deadline - First and second recruitment periods only accept applications on designated dates. If you miss the deadline, you'll have to wait until the next semester, so mark the dates on your calendar in advance.

Mistake 3) Giving up due to exceeding income threshold - Even if your household exceeds bracket 8, there may be other support programs such as excellence student national scholarships and regional talent scholarships. Search all available scholarships on the Korea Student Aid Foundation website.

Additional Educational Expense Support Programs

Beyond the national scholarship, many educational expense support options are available for high school students.

• Education allowance: Support for textbooks and school supplies for low-income children
• Free high school education: Tuition waiver for public high schools
• School-based scholarships: Independent scholarships operated by each school (inquire at school's student support team)
• Student support grants: Additional support programs operated by each education office

These programs often allow multiple applications, so gather information and receive as much support as possible.

This article provides information compiled and organized by AI analysis of various resources. Please confirm more detailed information with relevant institutions or professionals.