2026 Korean Honor Scholarship (KHS) Application Guide: From Eligibility to Required Documents

🎓 Korean Honor Scholarship (KHS), A Solid Supporter for Global Leaders

Korean students who are pursuing their dreams while studying in the U.S., are you looking for practical help to ease the burden of tuition? The selection requirements for the 2026 Korean Honor Scholarship (The Korean Honor Scholarship), which has produced numerous talented individuals since its inception in 1981, have been announced.

In this guide, we have distilled the complex announcement into the essentials, providing a perfect summary of the documents you need to prepare immediately and strategies to increase your chances of being selected.

What you will learn from this article:

• Major 2026 selection schedule and application period

• Scholarship scale by category (up to $5,000)

• Checklist for eligibility and mandatory documents

• How to use the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) to gain bonus points

📅 2026 Selection Schedule

This year's selection process begins at the end of April. All schedules are subject to change due to special circumstances, so please be sure to check the notice of the consular office in your jurisdiction again before applying.

💰 Scholarship Amounts and Number of Recipients

Approximately 71 scholars will be selected in 2026. The number of allocations per category may be adjusted depending on the number of applicants and budget size.

[!NOTE]
Definition of Applicants

Korean-American Students: Holders of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
Korean International Students: Holders of visas such as F1, A, or G that allow completion of a degree program.

✅ Eligibility and Academic Requirements

The Korean Honor Scholarship prioritizes selecting Korean talent with outstanding academic records.

• Target: Korean students currently enrolled full-time in accredited 4-year universities or graduate schools in the U.S. as of the application date.

• Academic Standards: GPA of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0) for the previous year (2025 Fall Semester and 2026 Spring Semester).

• Special Notes:

  • Students admitted to graduate school are also eligible to apply (must provide proof of admission).

  • There are no special restrictions for those who use a Pass/Fail grading system.

  • Recipients can receive the scholarship once during their undergraduate studies and once during their graduate studies (integrated bachelor-master programs are limited to one time).

📂 Document Checklist

Documents are divided into common documents and additional documents for specific applicants. All documents must be carefully prepared and sent by mail to the relevant consular office.

1. Common Mandatory Documents

• Application Form: Download from the official channels below (use direct links)

  • Embassy of the Republic of Korea (Korean Website): Search for "재미한인장학기금" in 'Information/Education Info'

  • Embassy of the Republic of Korea (English Website): Search for "Korean Honor Scholarship"

  • Korean Education Center in Washington (KECDC): Application Form menu on the official website

• Official Transcript: A full transcript including the previous year's grades (must be converted to a 4.0 scale)

• Letter of Recommendation: 1 from a professor at your school (must be sealed, using university letterhead is recommended)

• Personal Statement: Under 500 words in English (12pt, single-spaced)

• Résumé: Must include research publications, awards, volunteer activities, etc. (Graduate students must list research publications)

2. Additional Documents by Field

• Arts (Fine Arts): Images of 10 works within the last 3 years (jpeg files, under 1MB each) or 3 video works (submit via USB)

• Arts (Music): 20 minutes of your performance (submit via USB - choose from Windows Media, QuickTime, or GOM Player formats)

• Adopted Students: Birth certificate or certificate of adoption

• Students with Disabilities: Supporting documents such as a copy of a driver's license, letter of recommendation from a disability organization, etc.

• Korean Language Proficiency Bonus: TOPIK score report (Level 5-6), SAT II Korean (700 or higher), etc.

[!IMPORTANT]
GPA Conversion Notice

If your GPA is not based on a 4.0 scale, the applicant must personally convert it to a 4.0 scale and submit the converted transcript along with the original. If you are wondering how to convert your GPA, check the HaniSeoul GPA Conversion Guide.

🇰🇷 Korean Language Proficiency Bonus (Up to 5 points)

Korean students who graduated from middle/high school abroad can prove their Korean language proficiency to increase their chances of selection. (2.5 points per item, up to a maximum of 5 points)

• TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean): Copy of Level 5 or 6 certificate

• SAT II Korean: Copy of score report (700 or higher)

• High School Korean Course: One copy of transcript (B+ or higher)

• NEWL Korean Test: Copy of score report

📩 Application Method and Selection Procedure

In principle, you must submit your application by mail to the consular office with jurisdiction over the region where your university is located.

• Washington D.C. Area: Integrated review conducted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

• Arts/Special Fields: Finalized by the Central Selection Committee after regional review.

• Notes: Submitted documents will not be returned under any circumstances, and the contents of personal statements may be released to the media or the public.

❓ FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can students admitted to graduate school apply?
A. Yes, they can. In this case, you must separately submit supporting documents related to your admission to graduate school.

Q. Can I get my documents back later?
A. No, all submitted documents will not be returned, and in principle, the contents of the selection process are not disclosed.

Q. Are there any precautions when writing a personal statement?
A. If you are selected as a scholarship recipient, the content of your personal statement may be disclosed to the media or the public. Please keep this in mind when writing.

Q. Where should I send the application?
A. In principle, you should mail it to the consular office with jurisdiction over the location of the university where you are enrolled. For university students in the Washington area, the Embassy conducts an integrated review.

🎁 Conclusion

We look forward to applications from excellent Korean students who dream of becoming future global leaders. We hope you become a 2026 scholarship recipient through careful preparation of your documents!

Next Steps

Check out these guides for a successful study abroad life and to make the most of scholarship information!

• A Comprehensive Summary of Korean Study Abroad Scholarships (Government/Private/University)

• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Benefits and Selection Guide

• 2026 TOPIK Test Schedule and Online Registration Method

[!TIP]
TOPIK Strategy for Korean Scholarship Applicants

For Korean students who grew up abroad in the U.S. or Europe, the highest level of TOPIK (Level 6) is a powerful tool to objectively prove your mother-tongue proficiency. It also becomes a significant strength when applying for jobs or graduate schools in Korea. Prepare systematically with HaniSeoul TOPIK AI.
Start your TOPIK learning now