Scholarship in Korea for Descendants of Korean War Veterans
A full-tuition degree scholarship at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, with housing and a small monthly allowance, for a direct descendant of a UN Korean War veteran. At most one American is chosen a year, and at most two students in all.
Also called: scholarship, HUFS, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, MPVA, Korean War Memorial Foundation, descendants, grandchildren, study in Korea.
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Korea's Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs offer a scholarship for higher education in Korea to direct descendants of UN Korean War veterans. The terms below are from the 2026 program notice.
How many. At most two students a year in total, and no more than one from any of the 22 eligible countries, which include the United States.
What it pays. One year of intensive Korean language study at the university's Global Campus in Yongin, then a bachelor's, master's or doctoral program, with admission and tuition fees paid by the university. On-campus housing in a shared double room is provided, supported by the Korean War Memorial Foundation, and MPVA and the Foundation pay a monthly allowance of about 400,000 won. The notice warns that the allowance may not cover living costs and that travel to Korea and Korean national health insurance are the student's own expense. To keep the tuition scholarship a student must hold a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.5 scale in the degree program.
Who can apply. A direct descendant of a UN Korean War veteran, with documents to prove it. The applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Bachelor's and master's applicants need a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.67 on a 4.0 scale, and doctoral applicants 3.11; the applicant must have the required diploma by February 1 of the program year and must meet the university's language requirement for the chosen degree track.
The 2026 cycle closed on November 29, 2025, with winners announced December 29, 2025 and study starting March 3, 2026. Watch for the next notice in the autumn.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Scholarship in Korea for Descendants of Korean War Veterans
Gate
Rule
Direct descendant of a Korean War veteran
The applicant must be a direct descendant of a UN Korean War veteran, and the applicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens.
No rating requirement
The scholarship turns on descent and academic merit, not on any disability rating.
Out of date, a broken link, or something else wrong? Say what you found, and an editor checks it against the official source.
Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.