2026 KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology) fully funded undergraduate scholarships

If you’re a high school student dreaming of studying science or engineering at a world-class research university — here’s something you should definitely know: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology) is offering a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for international students for the 2026 intake. Below is a detailed guide on what this opportunity looks like, why it’s attractive, and how to apply .

🎓 KAIST Scholarship — Key Facts

• Host country: South Korea

• Institution: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology)

• Study level: Undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree, 8 semesters)

• Target group: International students (non-Korean citizens)

• Fields of study: Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Life Science & Bioengineering, and more — depending on KAIST’s colleges.

• Value & coverage:

  • Full tuition waiver for the entire 4-year (8-semester) program

  • Monthly stipend: KRW 350,000 

  • National health insurance covered

• Duration: 4 years (8 semesters)

• Application deadlines:

  • Regular (Fall) admission: January 6, 2026

  • Early (Spring) admission: September 19 to October 23, 2025

• Start date: Fall semester typically begins late August / early September.

  
  

📚 Scholarship Overview

• There is no separate scholarship application: when you apply for undergraduate admission at KAIST, you automatically get considered for the KAIST Scholarship if you choose “KAIST Scholarship” in the financial resources section.

• The scholarship is renewable, but students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 / 4.3 to keep it.

• The support package includes not just tuition, but a monthly stipend (living cost) and health insurance — enabling students to focus on studies without major financial burden.

🎁 Benefits

• Full tuition waiver for the entire 4-year (8-semester) program

• Monthly stipend: KRW 350,000 

• National health insurance covered

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this scholarship / admission:

• Must hold foreign citizenship (non-Korean) to be eligible for the international student admission track.

• Must graduate (or be on track to graduate) from high school by August 31, 2026.

• Applicants of Korean origin (e.g., parents born in Korea) have additional requirements: they must have completed their elementary through high school education outside Korea, and submit documents like a Certificate of Entry & Exit and proof of loss of Korean nationality.

• Once in KAIST, to keep the scholarship, you need to maintain at least a 2.7 / 4.3 GPA.

• English proficiency is expected. While some sources say there is “no IELTS required,” having good English skills will strengthen your application.

📝 Application Procedure

1. Online application: Go to KAIST’s International Undergraduate Admission portal.

2. Pay application fee: USD 80 (or equivalent), via credit card or bank transfer.

3. Upload required documents: These generally include:

   • High school transcript + graduation certificate (or expected graduation letter)

   • Recommendation letters (teachers or counselors)

   • Statement of Purpose (or personal essay)

   • Passport copy / national ID

   • Proof of financial resources / “Statement of Financial Resources” in which you check “KAIST Scholarship” option

   • (Possibly) English test scores (e.g. TOEFL/IELTS), though not always mandatory.

4. Submit before deadline: Make sure all required documents are uploaded by the document submission deadline (for Regular admission that’s around January 13, 2026, per some guides).

5. Check application status: After you apply, you’ll receive communication about recommendation letters, admission decisions, etc.

✨ Benefits & Why It’s Attractive

• No tuition for all 8 semesters — huge saving.

• Monthly stipend (KRW 350,000) means you can afford basic living costs.

• Health insurance ensures you are covered medically in South Korea.

• Automatic consideration: No extra scholarship application stream; once accepted, you get the scholarship.

• Supportive academic environment: Access to top faculty and cutting-edge research infrastructure.

👌🏻 Tips & Additional Information

• Be precise in your application: Because the scholarship is automatic, make sure you correctly select “KAIST Scholarship” in your financial section.

• Focus on academic record: High school grades, especially in STEM subjects, will matter a lot.

• Strong recommendation letters help: Use teachers who know your academic strengths well.

• Prepare for English requirement: Even if IELTS is not strictly required, good English proficiency is necessary to compete.

• Maintain your GPA: Since you need at least 2.7 / 4.3 to renew, you should plan your first year carefully.

• Stay on top of deadlines: Application, document submission, and recommendation letters all have specific dates — missing them could disqualify you.

🚀 Verdict

The 2026 KAIST Undergraduate Scholarship is a golden opportunity for ambitious international students aiming to study STEM in a world-class research university in South Korea — without financial burden. With full tuition, a generous stipend, and health insurance, this scholarship not only makes studying at KAIST feasible but highly attractive. If you meet the eligibility criteria, preparing a strong application now (especially before the Jan 6, 2026 deadline) could be a life-changing decision.