Intensive Application Period for Education Expenses and Education Benefits Until the 18th... This Year's Education Benefits Average Increase of 21%

Operation of Intensive Application Period from March 2 to 18
Elementary 331,000 KRW, Middle 466,000 KRW, High 554,000 KRW
Additional 'Learning Support Fund' for Education Benefit Recipients from June

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education will operate a concentrated application period for educational benefits and educational expense support for elementary, middle, and high school students from the 2nd to the 18th.

Educational benefits are part of the Basic Livelihood Security System, with uniform support standards nationwide. Once selected as a recipient of educational benefits, an educational activity support fund is provided once a year. This year, the amounts have increased by an average of 21% to 331,000 KRW for elementary students, 466,000 KRW for middle school students, and 554,000 KRW for high school students. If attending a school not covered by free education, entrance fees, tuition, and textbook costs can also be supported.

Educational expenses are projects supported according to the budgets of metropolitan and provincial offices of education, with support standards established and implemented by each region. Entrance fees, tuition, meal costs (lunch), after-school free course vouchers, and internet communication fees can also be supported.

Guardians or students wishing to apply for educational benefits and educational expenses can visit their local administrative welfare center or apply through the Education Expense One-Click website.

Applications for educational benefits and educational expenses can be made year-round even after the concentrated application period, but entrance fees and tuition are supported from the month of application. This year, a temporary additional educational benefit special learning support fund will be provided, so it is advantageous to apply in March, the beginning of the semester.

Students currently receiving educational benefits and educational expenses do not need to reapply. Existing information will be used to investigate household income and assets to review continued support eligibility. Even if siblings are receiving support, new educational benefits and educational expenses must be applied for if the student is a new elementary school entrant.

Educational benefits are provided as educational activity support funds so that individual students can use them autonomously. Eligible recipients are those whose recognized income amount is 50% or less of the median income standard. For a three-person household, this is 2,097,351 KRW, and for a four-person household, 2,560,540 KRW or less.

Educational expenses vary by metropolitan and provincial offices of education in terms of supported items, amounts, and recipient selection criteria. Students receiving educational benefits can also receive educational expenses support. Items excluded from educational benefits, such as meal costs, after-school free course vouchers, and internet communication fees, are supported. If the applicant meets the support criteria of each metropolitan and provincial office of education (usually 50-80% of the median income), they become eligible for educational expense support.

With the enforcement of the 'Basic Act on the Treatment of Foreigners Residing in Korea,' foreigners residing in Korea who are recognized for their contribution to the Republic of Korea and public interest, along with their accompanying family members, are granted refugee-like status. Foreigners such as Afghan special contributors are also included as educational expense support recipients.

To alleviate the educational expense burden on households economically affected by COVID-19, the proportion of educational expense support candidates recommended by school principals through the school student welfare committee has been raised from the previous 10% to 15%.

This year, students receiving educational benefits will be able to apply for the 'Educational Benefit Special Learning Support Fund' at the end of June, which will be additionally provided in the second half of the year. Support will be given to 300,000 students for purchasing learning materials and EBS paid content. To receive the educational benefit special learning support fund, the eligibility for educational benefits must be confirmed, so it is recommended to apply for educational benefits during the concentrated application period.

For additional inquiries regarding applications for educational benefits and educational expenses, contact the relevant eup/myeon/dong administrative welfare center, the central education expense consultation center, or the health and welfare consultation center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.