Freshmen for the 2026 academic year at 17 national universities will not receive national scholarships or student loans. This is an increase from 7 universities out of 10 last year.
The Ministry of Education announced the list of 296 universities eligible for financial aid next year and 17 universities with restricted support on the 27th.
The Ministry of Education's announcement that day is based on the accreditation results from the Korea University Evaluation Institute and the Korea Higher Vocational Education Accreditation Institute, as well as the financial assessment results from the Korea Advancing Schools Foundation (KASFO).
Among the universities with restricted financial aid next year, general universities include ▲Catholic Kwandong University ▲Kumgang University ▲Daegu Arts University ▲Shin Kyongju University ▲Yeongnam Theological University ▲Yewon Arts University ▲Jeju International University ▲Korea Baptist Theological University ▲Hanil University ▲Hwasung Medical Science University, totaling 10 schools. Also, 7 specialty colleges are included: ▲Gwangyang Health University ▲Naju University ▲Busan Arts University ▲Songho University ▲Suwon Science University ▲Yeongnam Foreign Language University ▲Wungji Tax College.
These universities will have all national scholarship support and student loans restricted for new and transfer students for the 2026 academic year. Existing students will not be affected.
The universities with restricted financial aid are those that received an 'unaccredited' designation in the institutional evaluation results. They failed to receive accreditation in the 'University Institutional Evaluation Accreditation' review conducted by the University Evaluation Institute and the Higher Vocational Education Accreditation Institute to verify the minimum requirements for ensuring the quality of higher education. In this case, all financial support is restricted regardless of the financial assessment results.
Vice Minister Choi Eun-ok said, "Students preparing to enter university in 2026 and their parents should check the list of universities eligible for and restricted from financial aid for the 2026 academic year to make a final decision on the school they wish to attend."