Sogang University, controversy over establishment of new scholarships for 2 successful applicants for refugee admissions

100% selection of documents... Expanding support in accordance with the agreement with the Ministry of Justice

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Minhyuk Yoon = Sogang University has newly established a full scholarship provision for refugee admissions in the 2027 admissions process.

There was also a debate about fairness in some quarters regarding this.

According to Sogang University's 2027 March admission foreign refugee recruitment guidelines on the 23rd, Sogang University recruits new students from foreign students who are recognized as refugees or have a humanitarian stay permit in accordance with the Refugee Act.

There are 23 recruitment units they can apply to, and there is no separate limit on the number of recruits.

Selection is conducted 100% based on documents such as high school transcripts and language proficiency certificates instead of CSAT scores.

Two of the successful applicants will receive full scholarships for up to eight semesters if they meet certain credit requirements while enrolled.

This is support in accordance with the ‘Higher Education Support Project for Refugee Background Students’ business agreement signed between Sogang University and the Ministry of Justice in June.

At the time, the two organizations decided to select two students from refugee backgrounds each year and establish a support system spanning the entire student life cycle, from Korean language education before admission to scholarship support during studies and linkage to employment and entrepreneurship after graduation.

Accordingly, online, some are raising questions about fairness with domestic test takers and pointing out that this is reverse discrimination.

Sogang University's refugee screening process was newly established in the first semester admissions process last year.

At that time, two students were selected and currently enrolled.