Last updated 2024.03.22
Language Study Allowance (Qualifying Fulbright U.S. Students only)
The language study allowance for qualifying Fulbright U.S. Students is available to partially offset the costs of Korean language study during the period of the award. To receive this allowance, qualifying students must pursue instruction through an approved institution (see list below) or with an approved tutor (contact your program officer for information regarding tutors). Payment is made directly to the institution/tutor or reimbursed on a receipt basis.
It is the responsibility of the grantee to seek approval to use the Language Study Allowance before enrolling, even if enrolling at an institution listed. If pursuing individual tutoring, the tutor must be approved before the grantee signs a contract with them.
Student grantees who qualify for the Language Study Allowance are required to begin their Korean language study during the first half of their grant period, or they will forfeit the allowance.
The Language Study Allowance cannot be used for reimbursement of textbooks or other study materials.
It is the responsibility of the grantee to seek approval to use the Language Study Allowance before enrolling, even if enrolling at an institution listed. If pursuing individual tutoring, the tutor must be approved before the grantee signs a contract with them.
Student grantees who qualify for the Language Study Allowance are required to begin their Korean language study during the first half of their grant period, or they will forfeit the allowance.
The Language Study Allowance cannot be used for reimbursement of textbooks or other study materials.
Korean Courses
All of the following institutions offer courses that fit the guidelines mentioned above:
For Students with placements outside of Seoul, in-person instruction may be approved at other local/regional institutions. Please contact your program officer in advance to inquire about approval.
- Ewha Womans University
- Ganada Korean Language Institute
- Korea University
- Seoul National University
- Sogang University
- Yonsei University
For Students with placements outside of Seoul, in-person instruction may be approved at other local/regional institutions. Please contact your program officer in advance to inquire about approval.
Korean Tutoring
An individual typically must hold a teaching certificate for Korean language in order to be approved as a tutor for coverage through the Language Study Allowance. A "Certificate of Korean Language Teacher" (한국어교원자격증) may be issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Certification may also come through the Ministry of Education (e.g., if the individual pursued education as a profession and became certified through the regular teachers' examination). Those without certification may be considered for approval if they otherwise have sufficient, relevant experience.
Grantees may seek a tutor independently. Fulbright Korea also has on file the names of a few approved tutors with whom past grantees have worked. Please contact your program officer if you would like the contact information and resumes of these tutors.
Another resource for finding a Korean tutor is Ganada Korean Language Institute. Ganada offers private lessons for individuals or groups of up to four people. Ganada is one of the institutions approved by Fulbright Korea for reimbursement of tuition/tutoring expenses through the Language Study Allowance as, although they are a private academy (학원), their instructors are considered of higher quality.
Regarding the logistics of engaging a tutor once chosen, grantees must provide Fulbright Korea with a written contract concerning the schedule/compensation rate for tutoring sessions, which contract must be signed by the grantee and the tutor and returned to Fulbright Korea either in person or via email. A template for such a contract can be found by clicking here.
In addition to the initial contract, grantees must also submit a monthly invoice that tracks the hours/dates of tutoring sessions and the cost of tutoring, with the grantee's signature and the tutor's signature affixed for each session. A template for such an invoice can be found by clicking here. Invoices are due the first Friday of each month to ensure that tutors are being paid in a timely manner for the previous month's sessions.
Depending on the tutor/the arrangements a grantee makes with a tutor, it may be possible for Fulbright Korea to pay them directly as opposed to the grantee paying upfront and then being reimbursed. However, whether this can be arranged must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As such, please keep your program officer informed should you plan to engage a tutor.
Grantees may seek a tutor independently. Fulbright Korea also has on file the names of a few approved tutors with whom past grantees have worked. Please contact your program officer if you would like the contact information and resumes of these tutors.
Another resource for finding a Korean tutor is Ganada Korean Language Institute. Ganada offers private lessons for individuals or groups of up to four people. Ganada is one of the institutions approved by Fulbright Korea for reimbursement of tuition/tutoring expenses through the Language Study Allowance as, although they are a private academy (학원), their instructors are considered of higher quality.
Regarding the logistics of engaging a tutor once chosen, grantees must provide Fulbright Korea with a written contract concerning the schedule/compensation rate for tutoring sessions, which contract must be signed by the grantee and the tutor and returned to Fulbright Korea either in person or via email. A template for such a contract can be found by clicking here.
In addition to the initial contract, grantees must also submit a monthly invoice that tracks the hours/dates of tutoring sessions and the cost of tutoring, with the grantee's signature and the tutor's signature affixed for each session. A template for such an invoice can be found by clicking here. Invoices are due the first Friday of each month to ensure that tutors are being paid in a timely manner for the previous month's sessions.
Depending on the tutor/the arrangements a grantee makes with a tutor, it may be possible for Fulbright Korea to pay them directly as opposed to the grantee paying upfront and then being reimbursed. However, whether this can be arranged must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As such, please keep your program officer informed should you plan to engage a tutor.