Gwangyang-si, Baegun Scholarship Recipients Selected

Increase of 91 people and 35 million KRW compared to last year

650 million KRW paid to 503 people at 8 schools

Baegun Scholarship Foundation (Chairman Jeong In-hwa) in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, held the 3rd board meeting on the 28th at the city hall situation room, where they deliberated and approved a total of seven agenda items, including the 2023 Baegun Scholarship student selection review (proposal) and the 2024 revenue and expenditure budget (proposal).

The Baegun Scholarship Foundation received scholarship applications from 591 students from elementary, middle, high schools, and universities (including graduate schools) as well as from eight elementary, middle, and high schools throughout August. After document screening and board review, it was decided to provide 650 million KRW to 503 students and eight schools.

[Photo by Gwangyang-si]

Regarding the selection criteria, for university (graduate) students, those with disabilities, majoring in science and engineering, or from multi-child families were evaluated based on grades, property level, and number of children according to a scoring table for each category, with higher scores prioritized. For general selection, academically excellent scholarship students were selected by evaluating grades and parental income levels. Academic support scholarship students were selected solely based on income, with higher scores prioritized.

The number of selected students by category includes 304 university (graduate) students, including 40 newly established low-income living support scholarship students this year, and 13 designated donations (children of Gwangyang Police Station and Gwangyang Fire Station personnel). For elementary, middle, and high school students, there are 36 talent scholarship students, 8 exemplary conduct scholarship students, 7 multicultural family students, 131 multi-child family students, 2 recommended by the board (North Korean defectors), 2 children of hometown residents, and 8 schools recognized for excellent talent guidance.

The scholarship amounts per student are 300,000 KRW for elementary students, 500,000 KRW for middle school students, 700,000 KRW for high school students, and 500,000 to 2,500,000 KRW for university students. Schools recognized for excellent talent guidance receive 1,500,000 KRW.

The Baegun Scholarship is operated through interest income from fixed deposits subscribed by the foundation and donations from citizens and companies. The fixed deposits will mature on the 21st of next month, and the funds will be transferred to students' accounts.

In addition to selecting Baegun Scholarship students, the foundation provided scholarships totaling 208 million KRW to 812 recipients in 2023, including scholarships for children from low-income families and academic encouragement scholarships for high school students.

After the board meeting, Education Nanuri (President Shim Joo-ran) donated 1 million KRW as scholarship funds, requesting that it be used to provide equal educational opportunities for all.

Since its establishment in 1991, the Baegun Scholarship Foundation has raised 26.9 billion KRW through voluntary donations from citizens and companies, and has awarded scholarships totaling 12.5 billion KRW to 14,966 students to date.

Jeong In-hwa, Chairman of the Baegun Scholarship Foundation, stated, “Recently, the income gap between the upper and lower income classes has widened, leading to educational disparities among students. Considering that scholarship foundations of the Baegun Scholarship Foundation’s scale are rare nationwide, I feel its value and reliability.”

He added, “The role of the scholarship foundation is important in discovering local talents who cannot access learning opportunities due to difficult circumstances and nurturing them as future leaders. I ask for the cooperation of the board members so that students can focus on their studies without worries.”

Meanwhile, the 2023 Baegun Scholarship certificates will be awarded on December 18th at the city hall main conference room.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr