“Artificial Intelligence Academic Encouragement Student Loan” Introduced… Applications Open Until June 22

For Undergraduates at AI·SW Core and AI Hub Universities
Annual Loan Limit of 2 Million Won

The Ministry of Education and the Korea Student Aid Foundation announced on May 28 that applications for the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academic Encouragement Student Loan” will be accepted until June 22.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Loan is a new system introduced from the second semester of this year, allowing students to borrow funds for AI-related education and repay them after employment. Eligible applicants are undergraduate students in AI or software (SW)-related departments at universities participating in the AI·SW Core University or AI Hub University projects. The list of participating universities can be found on the Korea Student Aid Foundation’s website.

To guarantee opportunities for AI learning regardless of economic background, there is no income requirement for eligibility. The age requirement, as with existing post-employment repayment student loans, is under 35 years old for undergraduates. Although there is no academic performance requirement, students must have completed at least 12 credits in the previous semester.

The loan limit is 2 million won per year, managed separately from existing living expense loans. The total personal loan limit during enrollment is 10 million won. The interest rate is 1.7%, the same as current student loans, and may fluctuate each semester according to Ministry of Education announcements.

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Students must use the loan for its intended purposes, such as covering costs associated with learning AI or using AI tools (including expenses for books and learning materials, AI tool subscription fees, and purchases of information technology devices like laptops or tablets). To ensure proper use, an “Honest Usage Plan” will be required at the loan agreement stage, and a “Usage Result Report” will need to be submitted after using the loan.

Applications can be submitted during the 2026 second semester “Integrated Student Aid Application” period, along with national scholarships and post-employment repayment student loans. Applications are available 24 hours a day during the application period via the Korea Student Aid Foundation website and mobile app (“Korea Student Aid Foundation”). On the deadline, June 22, applications will only be accepted until 6 p.m.

Hae Sook Lee, Policy Chief for Higher and Lifelong Education at the Ministry of Education, stated, “We will actively support the AI Loan so it can serve as an opportunity for students to strengthen their AI capabilities and nurture future talent.”

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