Dongdaemun District Expands Scholarship Eligibility, Awards 136.7 Million Won to 144 Students

On November 7, Dongdaemun District in Seoul (District Mayor Lee Pilhyeong) announced that it has provided a total of 136.7 million won in scholarships to 144 students in the district to discover outstanding talent and encourage academic motivation.

View of Dongdaemun District Office. Provided by Dongdaemun District Office.

This year’s scholarships were awarded to a total of 144 students, including 28 merit-based scholarship recipients, 1 special talent scholarship recipient, 1 equal opportunity scholarship recipient from Seoul International High School, 51 general scholarship recipients, 61 students from families with three or more children, and 2 community service scholarship recipients. The students were selected based on recommendations from school principals and local community leaders.

Notably, starting this year, the eligibility for scholarships has been expanded to include students who graduated from middle schools in the district and entered high schools in other districts. In addition, the criteria for scholarships for families with three or more children, previously limited to households with high school students, have been broadened to include families with adult children, allowing more students to benefit from the program.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who rank within the top 3% of graduates from local middle schools, based on recommendations from their school principals. Special talent scholarships are given to students who have won awards in national-level or higher competitions. General scholarships are provided to students from households with median income or below, while scholarships for families with three or more children are awarded to households with three or more children attending middle or high school. Community service scholarships are given to students who have contributed to the community, as recommended by local leaders. All recommended students are subject to final approval by the Dongdaemun District Scholarship Fund Operations Review Committee.

Since enacting the “Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of the Dongdaemun District Scholarship Fund” in 2009, Dongdaemun District has awarded a total of 1,457.9 million won in scholarships to 1,307 students from 2010 to this year.

Lee Pilhyeong, Mayor of Dongdaemun District, stated, “I hope the Dongdaemun District Scholarship Fund will serve as a stepping stone for students to take a step closer to their dreams and future,” adding, “We will continue to discover diverse talent and create an educational environment where our district’s students can grow up happily.”