Gyeongbuk Office of Education Provides 100,000 KRW Monthly Donghaeng Card to 'Out-of-School Youth'

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education will continue to support the "Customized Companion Card," which provides 100,000 KRW per month for tuition fees and other expenses in 2023 to encourage out-of-school youth to return to their studies through continuous management and self-reliance support.

The Customized Companion Card was introduced in 2014 in collaboration with the Gyeongbuk Out-of-School Youth Support Center to help students who have dropped out return to school and continue their studies even outside of school.

Gyeongbuk Office of Education.

The Customized Companion Card is issued as a T-money transportation card recharge, allowing out-of-school youth to apply and receive 100,000 KRW once a month for up to 11 times. The funds can be used for meals, transportation, tuition fees, GED study materials, cultural experience expenses, and more.

Especially this year, reflecting the needs of youth, essential daily items such as tissue, detergent, and soap have been added as eligible expenses for the Companion Card support.

In 2022, a total of 301 out-of-school youth received support through the Companion Card, and among them, 264 youths, accounting for 88%, achieved results such as passing the GED, advancing to higher education, employment, and obtaining certifications.

Lim Jong-sik, Superintendent of Education of Gyeongbuk, stated, “The Companion Card project is highly satisfactory to students, and we will continue to provide support so that out-of-school youth, who desperately need attention and help from their surroundings, can grow properly as members of society and become self-reliant.”