Want to Study for Free in South Korea? Take the KOICA Scholarship Program

Over a million, if not all, aspiring students dream of scholarship. If you're not aware on what that is, a scholarship is given to deliberated students, so that a certain institution will be paying off for their tuition fees. Most of the time, different institutions and businesses distinguish these students by having them take an examination.

Millions of Filipino students wish for a scholarship and a majority of them are looking for scholarship abroad. Are you looking for the same kind of opportunity? Do you want to study for free in South Korea? You've come to right page!

In this article, we will be detailing the KOICA scholarship program; we will give you the requirements, what the eligibility requirements are, and what you need to avail tihs scholarship.

Read: Guide on How to Apply for the CHED Scholarship

What is the KOICA scholarship?

The KOICA or the Korea International Cooperation Agency scholarship is one of the few things that could get you to study for free in South Korea. Currently, KOICA has target countries and in order for a student to avail of this, the country where that student is in should be part of the target.

This scholarship program is designed to improve and further nourish key leaders in developing countries. These countries are selected based on how they can contribute to the socio-economic development of their home countries.

What are these countries?

Asian countries

• Vietnam
• Timor-Leste
• Sri Lanka
• Solomon Islands
• Philippines
• Papua New Guinea
• Afghanistan
• Pakistan
• Nepal
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Lao PDR
• Indonesia
• Fiji
• Cambodia
• Bangladesh

African countries

• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Uganda
• Tunisia
• Tanzania
• Sudan
• Senegal
• Rwands
• Nigeria
• Mozambique
• Morocco
• Madagascar
• Libya
• Kenya
• Ghana
• Gabon
• Ethiopia
• Egypt
• DR Congo
• Cote d'Ivore
• Cameroon
• Angola
• Algeria

Middle Eastern countries

• Palestine
• Lebanon
• Jordan
• Iraq
• Iran

Latin American countries

• Venezuela
• Peru
• Paraguay
• Panama
• Nicaragua
• Jamaica
• Honduras
• Haiti
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Ecuador
• Dominican Republic
• Costa Rica
• Colombia
• Bolivia

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

• Uzbekistan
• Ukraine
• Turkmenistan
• Tajikistan
• Serbia
• Kyrgyzstan
• Kazakhstan
• Belarus
• Azerbaijan

What does this mean? Well, if you are a resident in these countries, you can apply for the KOICA scholarship and take advantage of this situation.

Read: What You Need to Know About the SM College Scholarship

What are the qualifications of the KOICA scholarship?

If you plan to study for free in South Korea, you can do so by availing the KOICA scholarship. The qualifications of this scholarship are as follows:

1. You need to be a legal citizen of the KOICA scholarship target country;
2.  Your age needs to be under sixty (60) years old; preferably, under forty (40) years old as of the 1st of February 2019;
3. You need to be officially nominated by their governments:
   • A government employee who has at least two (2) years of experience in the field of study; and
   • The exception: International Development NGO applicants with this specific background can apply for the program with two (2) letter of recommendations: From the Korean Embassy and Office Recommendation.
4. Level of Education: Must have completed either a bachelor's degree or a level equal to a college degree or university level;
5. Health status:
   • People with severe illnesses ARE NOT ELIGIBLE; and
   • People with disabilities, but are in good physical and mental health can apply;
6. Could not be a re-taker of the KOICA's scholarship program. So, if you failed the first time, you can't re-apply again; lastly
7. Must have good written and spoken English. This is because the classes are going to be conducted strictly in English. More so, academic reports, assignments, and assessments are going to be written and passed in English.

Now that you know the eligibility requirements, you now need to know what the documentation requirements are that you need to submit to apply:

For a complete copy of the documentation requirements, you can view and download it from the KOICA website.

How do you apply for the KOICA scholarship program?

1. First thing you have to secure all documents and requirements they're asking for. TIP: Compile them in one envelope or a clear book folder. Make sure you have the "Document Checklist" and complete it all.
2. Submit the admission/application package to either the Korean Embassy or to KOICA regional offices. This must include both the KOICA application form and other required documentation by the university.

NOTE: Make sure to submit the original copies to avoid delays in the application process.

What universities are in partnership with KOICA?

There are specific programs/courses that are only allowed in certain universities. More so, only the following sectors are accepted in the KOICA scholarship program: Education, Health, Technology, Environment, and Energy, Governance, and the Rural Development Sector.

To have a better understanding of what the eligible schools are, refer to the table below:

What are the benefits of being a KOICA scholar?

Of course, knowing what you can get other than being able to study for free in South Korea is essential because this is what you will look at upon deciding whether or not you want to push the KOICA scholarship program. The following are the things you can expect from the KOICA scholarship:

• Monthly allowance (Korean Won (KRW) 999,000 (P46,000.00)
• Settlement allowance (Korean Won (KRW) 600,000); these are the expenses you would need to enter Korea.
• Tuition fees for the school/university
• Airfare
• Accommodation (A place you will live in)
• Extracurricular Activities; these are expenses needed for extracurricular things like Korean language workshops, study visits. These things exclude regular classes.
• Scholarship completion grants (a total of KRW 300,000)
• Insurance

Read: A Guide in Getting the DOH Medical Scholarship

Is there a deadline for the application?

Yes, KOICA has set the standard or the deadline for the application. You can submit your application, as well as the requirements directly to the Korean Embassy or to KOICA regional offices on or before the 22nd of March, 2019.

Korean Embassy

McKinley Town Center, 122 Upper McKinley Rd., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila.

Korea International Copperation Agency (KOICA)

29th floor, Petron Megaplaza, 358, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati, 1200, Metro Manila.

Now that you know the information on how you can study for free in South Korea, what are you waiting for? You can enter South Korea, have the chance to study there, and start over in a totally new country! Study for free in South Korea without going through the hassle of obtaining millions of pesos!