Change to Merit-based Scholarship Standards in 2022
Until 2021, students who received a merit-based scholarship received a full tuition waiver if they were within the top 1% of their class, and those within the top 4% received a 70% tuition waiver. From the spring semester of 2022, though, those in the top 3% receive a 50% tuition waiver, and those in the top 15% get a 10% tuition waiver. The merit-based scholarship selects students who have achieved outstanding academic performances in their departments every semester. Each department has its own system for determining students, so there can be differences between schoolwide and departmental policies. While some departments automatically select students based on their GPA, the schoolwide policy requires students to submit an application by a given date. The selection standards include earning a minimum of 12 credit hours (nine credit hours in the seventh semester) during the previous semester with a minimum GPA of 3.0 without any F grades. The selected students receive a reduction in their tuition statement the following semester and are only required to pay the remaining fee.
Change to Examination Scholarship Standards in 2022
By 2022, students who pass the first test of the national examinations can receive the examination scholarship twice, but those who pass the second test of the patent agent exam and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam can only receive the scholarship once. The examination scholarship is for students who have made contributions to school development by passing a renowned examination. Like merit-based scholarships, students should submit an application by the deadline, as well as documentary evidence that shows they have passed the preliminary exam. There are two application periods. However, unlike the merit-based scholarship, the period starts before the semester begins. Although the main requirement is to have passed the exam, students should have also earned a minimum of 12 credit hours (nine credit hours in the seventh semester) during the previous semester with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Those who receive the scholarship receive a 50% tuition waiver.
Opinions on the Changes to Several Scholarships
According to Sungkyunkwan University, the changes in the merit-based scholarship were made to relieve excessive competition. Some students, however, seem to be unhappy to hear the news. An anonymous student from the School of Confucian and Oriental Studies, who has received the merit-based scholarship three times, said that it is a shame as “Merit-based scholarship was a good motivation to study.” Another anonymous student majoring in Korean Language and Literature had a different opinion. She said, “Giving opportunities to many students would be helpful to improve their grades.” On the other hand, the number of times a student can receive the scholarship was increased for the examination scholarship, given that national exams are too difficult to pass in one try. As the number of students deeply interested in taking national examinations has increased, many students seem satisfied with the new policy.