The government has decided to restrict national scholarship support and student loans for 10 universities next year.
The Ministry of Education announced the list of universities eligible for student financial support and those with restricted support for the 2025 academic year after a review by the Committee on Student Financial Support on Dec. 12. This applies for one year starting next year.
Since 2012, the government has designated universities with restricted financial support to identify underperforming institutions. This has led to backlash from some universities against government-led evaluations, prompting the government to announce the introduction of a new evaluation system last year. The Korean Council for University Education and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training conduct institutional accreditation, and the Korea Foundation for the Promotion of Private Schools handles financial assessments.
The list of universities eligible for and restricted from student financial support next year is the first with this new evaluation system applied.
The Ministry of Education revealed that financial support, including student aid, will be restricted at 10 of the 313 universities next year. The universities affected are Daegu Arts University, Jungang Seon Buddhist University, N Gyeongju University, Jeju International University, Hanil University & Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Gwangyang Health College, Naju University, Busan Arts College, Woongji Accounting & Tax College, and the University of International Studies. However, general repayment student loans will be available at the University of International Studies.
All 303 remaining universities will be eligible for national scholarship support or student loans.
Ministry of Education Vice Minister Oh Seok-hwan urged students preparing for college entrance in the coming year and their parents to verify the list of universities eligible for and restricted from student financial support before making a final decision on their school of choice.
Meanwhile, there were a total of 11 universities with restricted financial support for the 2024 academic year.