2026 Lee & Won Foundation Scholarship Guide: Exclusive Benefits for International Students from Asia

Have you ever had your financial support suddenly cut off while abroad due to unforeseen circumstances like your parents' debt or health issues?

How should students who didn't make the cut for GKS scholarships or large corporate elite programs continue their academic journey? The topic of this article, the Lee & Won Foundation's Talent Support Scholarship program, is designed for the poor but resilient international students who are silently enduring in the welfare blind spot and striving to maintain their integrity, rather than a system that only gathers flashy top-tier performers!

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Curious about other scholarship schedules?

Check out the overall recruitment schedule at a glance in the 2026-2027 Korea Study Scholarship Calendar.

1. Purpose of the Lee & Won Foundation Scholarship: Guidance on Emergency and Regular Support for Academic Continuity

This scholarship foundation started with a pure heart for social contribution and holds the philosophy that "No child should lose the opportunity to learn fairly due to financial constraints."

For international students in Korea, it deeply understands the harsh reality of having to sacrifice sleep while balancing part-time jobs and studies, and provides scholarships in the form of practical living expenses/housing assistance.
Even if it is not a full-tuition scholarship for a semester, it primarily serves as a strong shield to prevent mid-term withdrawals or leaves of absence by bridging sudden, critical economic gaps!

2. Recruitment Schedule and Process

The Lee & Won Foundation selects scholars at the beginning of every year.

Application Submission: Every year from late December to late January (about one month)
Document Results Announcement: During February
Interview Process: Late February
Final Announcement: Early March

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2026 Selection Status

The selection for benefits for the 1st/2nd semester of 2026 was already completed in January 2026. If you are preparing for an extension review for current scholars or a new selection for the next year (2027), you must wait for the announcement to be posted in late December 2026. (Lee & Won Foundation Official Website)

3. Tips for Preparing Proof of Income and Letters of Recommendation to Verify Eligibility

The most important procedure focuses on objectively proving "my desperation and the sincerity to overcome it."

Mandatory Step! Proof of Assets: Be sure to thoroughly prepare records of your stay in Korea, the economic situation of your parents in your home country (if possible), and bank statements showing that you cannot afford tuition! (Records of part-time job earnings may also be verified.)
Letters of Recommendation from Professors/Mentors: A recommendation letter that simply states the student has good grades is meaningless. The key is a touching, yet 100% truthful recommendation that says, "How much Student A has studied through the night in such difficult circumstances, and that they are a talent who will safely shine in college if helped with just 500,000 KRW."

4. How to Introduce Yourself to Convey Sincerity in Interviews: Storytelling of Dreams and Vision

They are not as cold-hearted as interviewers at major corporations! As a warm private foundation, share your honest and solid story in the short interview or self-introduction essay that follows document screening.

Acknowledge the Situation: Do not be ashamed of or hide the poverty or deprivation you are currently facing; write about it calmly.
Derive Vision and Turnaround: If this scholarship lifts this semester's economic crisis, express the academic achievements you will create and the positive points of contributing to society after graduation.

At this time, even if your pronunciation is a bit clumsy, present in the most sincere and polite Korean possible! Developing your Korean language skills (TOPIK) in advance is a major plus factor.

4. How to Apply for Recruitment Alerts and Check the Latest Website Notices

Due to the nature of the foundation, the selection schedule or the number of slots is often not publicized as widely as major scholarships.

The best way is to frankly share your situation with your university's Student Support Office or the scholarship manager, and ask them to "notify you as a priority if any quotas for private external scholarships like Lee & Won occur."
Also, make sure not to miss the timing by checking the school's notice board and the Lee & Won Foundation website notices whenever you have time.

FAQ

Q: Is it possible to receive this scholarship in duplicate with others?

A: If it is mainly for emergency relief, there is a high chance of rejection if your tuition is already fully covered by another foundation. However, since details regarding the overlapping receipt of work-study scholarships and small-sum scholarships may be very flexible depending on the announcement, it is recommended to inquire directly with the foundation.

Q: Will they give it if my grades are low but I am desperate?

A: They don't give it to people who are "just poor," but to "talents who are poor but have not given up the thread of academic continuity!" In other words, minimum criteria (usually around 3.0/4.5) of basic proof of enrollment must be backed up to qualify.

Next Steps

Check out more scholarship information and admission strategies!

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