Starting next year, new students enrolling in local national universities will not have to pay any tuition, regardless of their income level or financial aid eligibility. This initiative aims to alleviate the growing concentration of students in the capital region and foster local talent.
Additionally, a new large-scale project will provide university students with 2.3 million won per month to support their first career internships. However, private universities, which feel excluded from these benefits, have expressed their opposition, arguing that the policy promotes discrimination among students.
Full Tuition Waiver for New Students at Local National Universities Starting Next Year
On August 28, during the 'Youth Budget Unboxing 2027' event, the Education Ministry announced the '2027 Core Support Projects for Youth,' which includes this initiative.
The centerpiece of the plan is the establishment of a 'Regional Balanced Development Scholarship' with a budget of 328 billion won. This scholarship will fully cover tuition for all new students (excluding medical, dental, pharmacy, and veterinary students) at 30 local national universities starting in the 2027 academic year.
Any student who completes at least 12 credits in the previous semester with a grade of B or higher will be eligible, regardless of their income level. The Education Ministry plans to gradually expand this support to include second-year students in 2028, third-year students in 2029, and fourth-year students in 2030, starting with an investment of 213 billion won for first-year students next year.
To prevent misuse of the full tuition support, known as 'reckless re-enrollment,' the ministry will require the full repayment of any additional support received if a student withdraws or drops out.
Scholarships for local private university students will also be expanded. The number of recipients will increase from 4,000 to 10,000, with the budget raised to 115 billion won. Notably, the restriction on high school graduates from specific regions has been lifted, allowing students from the capital region to receive support if they enroll in local private universities.
Monthly 2.3 Million Won Internship Support for 60,000 Students
A new 'First Career Project' will also be launched, aimed at bridging the gap between youth unemployment and companies' preference for experienced workers, with a budget of 465 billion won.
This initiative will provide approximately 60,000 university and college students with opportunities for internships lasting around five months, allowing them to earn academic credits while gaining practical experience. Each participating student will receive a monthly internship stipend of 2.3 million won, split equally between the government and the companies.
Additionally, students will receive an extra 100,000 won per month for transportation and accommodation costs, while participating companies will receive 100,000 won per month for mentoring costs, and universities will receive about 900,000 won per student for safety management and monitoring expenses to ensure a quality internship environment.
Education Minister Kim Kyung-jin stated, "What young people need amid concerns over tuition and employment is realistic support that can directly change their lives. We will fully support youth initiatives to help them achieve their dreams and confidently enter society, even in their local areas."
Private University Presidents Protest, Calling for Fair Scholarship Redesign
However, private universities have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Education Ministry's focus on national universities in its support policies.
The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) issued a statement, acknowledging the intention to reduce the financial burden on local youth but criticizing the differential support based on the type of institution (national vs. private) as unfair. They are calling for a redesign of the policy.
Referencing survey results, the KCUE noted that 64.5% of prospective high school seniors agree with providing full national scholarships without distinction between national and private universities. They warned that if benefits are concentrated solely on national universities, private institutions will face direct challenges in student recruitment ahead of the 2027 admissions cycle.
They emphasized the need for new higher education funding to be distributed fairly among students and regions, rather than being concentrated on specific universities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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