Tuition at Regional National Universities to Be Free for New Students Next Year; Scholarships to Be Reclaimed if They Drop Out

[Financial News] Next year, freshmen entering regional national universities will receive full tuition support through the National Scholarship, regardless of household income. Medical, dental, pharmacy and veterinary schools are excluded. The government will invest 213 billion won in the program and also expand regional talent scholarships at regional private universities from 4,000 students to 10,000.
The Ministry of Education unveiled the 2027 youth support programs in the government budget proposal at the "Youth Budget Unboxing 2027" event on the 28th.
The government will launch a new 328 billion won "Regional Balanced Development Scholarship" next year. The program combines full scholarships for regional national universities and regional talent scholarships for regional private universities.
The full scholarship for regional national universities will apply to freshmen entering 30 regional national universities in the 2027 academic year. Students who apply for the National Scholarship will be able to receive full tuition support regardless of their income bracket. However, freshmen in medical, dental, pharmacy and veterinary schools will not be eligible.
The related budget is 213 billion won. Based on the current support level of National Scholarship Type I for students at regional national universities, this requires an additional 92.6 billion won compared with the existing program.
Eligibility will begin with freshmen in the 2027 academic year and expand grade by grade through 2030. Student applications, academic requirements and the limit on the number of scholarship awards will follow the current National Scholarship standards.
Measures will also be introduced to prevent students from leaving school midway, such as after taking a leave of absence to prepare for another college entrance exam or dropping out. If a student leaves school, the government plans to reclaim any additional support paid to cover full tuition, excluding the existing National Scholarship Type I amount.
The Regional Talent Scholarship for students at regional private universities will also be expanded. The number of new recipients will rise 2.5 times, from 4,000 now to 10,000 next year. The budget will also increase by 35 billion won, from 80 billion won to 115 billion won.
The government will also launch the "First Career Project for College Students" to help students gain practical experience before employment. It will invest 465 billion won for about 60,000 university and college students.
Students will take part in field training at companies or institutions for about five months, and the experience can be recognized for academic credit. The training stipend will be 2.3 million won per month, with the government and participating companies each covering half, or 1.15 million won a month.
Students will receive an additional 100,000 won a month to cover expenses needed for field training, such as transportation and lodging. Companies and institutions will receive 100,000 won a month for mentoring costs, including job training and on-site guidance.
Universities will receive about 900,000 won in operating expenses per participating student. They will use the funds for student selection, company matching, pre-training, counseling and monitoring, and safety management.
Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin said, "What young people need amid tuition and job worries is practical help that can directly change their lives," adding, "We will fully support youth programs so that young people can realize their dreams even in the regions and move confidently into society."
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter