The Joy Sharing Foundation (기쁨나눔재단), together with Sogang University and the Ministry of Justice, is recruiting Sogang University Francisco Scholars through its ‘Higher Education Support Project for Students with Refugee Backgrounds’. The project is linked to ‘Sogang University’s admission track for foreign refugees’ (서강대학교 외국인 난민전형) and selects students entering in March 2027 (spring semester). Besides tuition support, it also provides living and psychological support until students finish their studies and go out into society.

On 15 June 2026, the Ministry of Justice and Sogang University signed a memorandum of understanding to support higher education for students with refugee backgrounds, and agreed to support 2 students every year.

Overview

  • Number of places: 2
  • Entry: March 2027 entry (spring semester) for the 2027 academic year
  • University: new undergraduate admission to Sogang University (Korean track)
  • Departments (admission units): choose from the new admission units on page 3 of the ‘Sogang University Admission Guidelines for the Foreign Refugee Track’.

What you receive

Academic support

  • Full tuition for 4 years (8 semesters) of undergraduate study at Sogang University (Francisco Scholarship)
  • To keep receiving the scholarship, you must take at least 12 credits in the previous semester and have a GPA of at least 2.8 out of 4.3.
  • Support for education at the Sogang University Korean Language Education Center to reach TOPIK level 4 (Sogang University Korean Language Education Center level 4): 1 year of tuition covered, up to 18 credits recognized (9 credits per semester, 2 semesters)
  • To graduate from Sogang University, you must obtain TOPIK level 4.
  • If needed, support for study and job preparation such as tutoring and mentoring

Living support

  • Individually tailored support for daily life, housing, social integration, and so on, to create an environment for studying
  • Psychosocial support such as psychological counseling and community activities

Eligibility

Status of stay

People who have been recognized as refugees by the Ministry of Justice (F-2 and others) or have received humanitarian stay holder status (G-1-6) under the Refugee Act

There are detailed conditions related to nationality. For example, people with multiple nationalities who also hold Korean nationality when they submit the application are not recognized as foreign nationals. Be sure to check the conditions on parents and family relationships in the call for applicants and the admission guidelines.

Education

People who have graduated or are expected to graduate from a high school in Korea or abroad, or who are recognized as having an equivalent or higher level of education. The Qualification Examination, homeschooling, cyber learning, and similar are not recognized as regular education for the foreign student admission track.

Language ability (one or more of the following)

  • Korean: TOPIK level 3 or higher, or completion of level 3 or higher at the Sogang University Korean Language Education Center
  • Korean: people who have completed the entire curriculum of a high school or university taught in Korean (from entry to graduation)
  • English: people with an official English test score (TOEFL, IELTS, TEPS)
  • To apply to the School of Humanities-Based Liberal Studies, the School of SCIENCE-Based Liberal Studies, or the School of AI-Based Liberal Studies, you need TOPIK level 6 or completion of level 6 at the Sogang University Korean Language Education Center.

Even if you are admitted with an English score, Korean track students must take the required Korean language courses set by the university.

Selection process and schedule

Candidates are chosen in the Joy Sharing Foundation’s first-round review (documents and interview), and admission and the scholarship are confirmed after confirmation by the Ministry of Justice and the final review by Sogang University.

  • Recruitment period: 22 September to 30 October 2026
  • Foundation document submission: Monday 19 October to Friday 30 October 2026
  • Foundation document review: 2 November to 6 November 2026
  • Foundation interview review: 9 November to 13 November 2026 (written test and in-person interview)
  • Announcement of first-round selections (candidates): Wednesday 25 November 2026
  • Sogang University application and document submission: Thursday 26 November 2026, 10:00 to Wednesday 2 December, 17:00 (according to the Sogang University admission guidelines, no application fee)
  • Announcement of final selections: Thursday 24 December 2026
Sogang admissions website home page with the refugee track notice marked in the Notice list
  1. In the Notice list at the bottom of the admissions home page, press 2027학년도 3월 난민전형 모집요강 (Admission guide for the refugee track, March 2027).
Screen: Sogang University Office of International Affairs, captured October 2026
Sogang refugee track notice with its two attachments marked
  1. 모집요강(한국어).pdf (Admission guide, Korean): the Sogang admission guide for international refugee students.
  2. 입학원서.hwp (Application form): the Sogang application form (Hangul file). According to the admission guide, the form and documents go to the Sogang Office of International Affairs by registered post or in person from 26 November to 2 December 2026.
Screen: Sogang University Office of International Affairs, captured October 2026

The interview looks at communication skills, ability to study, commitment to study, problem-solving skills, and so on.

Documents for the Foundation’s first-round review

Submit all documents as copies, and submit the originals if you are finally accepted.

  • Francisco Scholarship application form and personal statement (Foundation forms)
  • ID documents for yourself and your parents (copy of Residence Card (Alien Registration Card), certificate of nationality, Certificate of Alien Registration, and so on)
  • Proof of language ability (TOPIK, or TOEFL, IELTS, TEPS scores)
  • High school (expected) graduation certificate and transcripts for all grades
    • If you graduated from high school in your home country or another country: either documents with a notarized translation and an Apostille, or documents with a notarized translation and consular confirmation from the Korean consulate in that country
    • If you entered and graduated from high school in Korea: (expected) graduation certificate, transcripts for all grades, and the school record for university admission

Write about 500 Korean characters or about 250 English words for each question in the personal statement. The Foundation said that because the document is for hearing your own story, writing it with AI such as ChatGPT is prohibited, and if it is confirmed that it was written with AI, this may count against you in selection.

How to apply

  1. Download the call for applicants, the application form, and the Sogang University Admission Guidelines for the Foreign Refugee Track from the Joy Sharing Foundation notices.
  2. Prepare the documents and send them by email to the Foundation staff member from 19 to 30 October 2026.
Bottom of the Gippeum Nanum Foundation notice with the three attachments marked
  1. 첨부1 (Attachment 1): the recruitment notice (PDF), with eligibility and required documents in detail.
  2. 첨부2 (Attachment 2): the application form and personal statement (Word file, .docx). Download it and fill it in.
  3. 첨부3 (Attachment 3): the Sogang admission guide for the international refugee track (PDF). The departments (recruitment units) are on page 3.
Screen: Gippeum Nanum Foundation, captured October 2026

Contact and where to submit documents