Seoul Education Expenses and Education Benefits Application Period... Expansion of Internet Fee Support Eligibility

Operation of Intensive Application Period from 2nd to 19th
Excluding Tuition and Meal Fees Due to Expansion of Free High School Education

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will operate a concentrated application period for education expenses and education benefits for low-income families from the 2nd to the 19th.

This year, the budget for education expenses and education benefits support for elementary, middle, and high school students in Seoul is approximately 43.5 billion KRW, supporting about 63,000 students.

Education benefits are part of the Basic Livelihood Security Program with uniform nationwide support standards, while education expense support is a program funded according to the budgets of metropolitan and provincial offices of education, with support standards varying by region. Parents wishing to apply can visit their local eup/myeon/dong administrative welfare center or apply through the Bokjiro website or the Education Expense One-Click homepage.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education supports high school tuition (admission fees, tuition, school operation support fees), high school meal fees, after-school free course vouchers, education informatization (internet communication fees), and other beneficiary-paid expenses (small-scale themed educational travel expenses, training activity fees) for education expenses. Education benefits cover elementary, middle, and high school educational activity support expenses, high school admission fees and tuition, and high school textbook fees. Students eligible for free education and free meal support are excluded from high school tuition (admission fees, tuition, textbook fees) and meal fee support.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has expanded the support for internet communication fees among education expense items to include students from households with income below 60% of the median income. Among education benefit items, supplementary textbook fees and school supply fees have been integrated into educational activity support expenses, with increased unit costs: 286,000 KRW for elementary school, 376,000 KRW for middle school, and 448,000 KRW for high school.

Education benefits and education expenses can be applied for by parents or guardians. Those already receiving support do not need to reapply. However, even if siblings are receiving support, families with students newly entering elementary school must apply anew. Low-income groups such as basic livelihood recipients, single-parent families, and legally designated low-income households must apply separately for education expense support, submitting only the application form and consent form for providing financial information.

For inquiries about education expense and education benefit support, contact the Ministry of Education Central Counseling Center or the Ministry of Health and Welfare Call Center.