대학생 6만명 ‘기업·기관 현장실습’ 땐 5개월 기준 1200만원 지원

The government plans to provide a monthly allowance of 2.3 million won to about 60,000 university and college students beginning next year, supporting their practical training experiences in companies and organizations. For students from local national universities, the allowance will cover the entire tuition fee regardless of income level.

Additionally, the number of scholarship recipients will be increased to 10,000 for students from local private universities. The Education Ministry announced these youth-focused key support programs during a meeting at the Presidential Office on the 28th. For the new Future Response Fund, a total of 79.3 trillion won will be allocated starting next year.

The "First Career Experience" project will receive 46.5 trillion won, while the "Regional Balance Development Scholarship" will receive 32.8 trillion won. This "First Career Experience" project will support around 60,000 students and college students by providing them with hands-on experience in companies and organizations, covering wages, transportation, and accommodation costs, amounting to a total of 12 million won per student per semester.

The government will also provide an additional 10 million won for each student to cover mentorship costs for practical education and on-site guidance. The Ministry will support each student with approximately 90 million won in operating expenses, covering student selection, company matching, pre-academic education, counseling, monitoring, and safety management.

The current system of practical training for university students has been operating for about 40,000 students. The new program expands the support target to 60,000 students and has the government bear half of the reallocation allowance, expanding support beyond the initial plan. The government has not yet confirmed the number of participating companies based on the demand from companies, but will actively explore additional practical training sites through the list of businesses associated with universities.

To address the concentration of students in urban areas, the government will introduce a "Regional Balance Development Scholarship" for students from other regions. The scholarship will be available to first-year students at 30 national universities located in urban areas, regardless of income level, except for medical, dental, pharmacy, and veterinary students.

The scholarship will be available to students in their first, second, and third years, with the scholarship amount for the 2028-2029 academic year increasing to 2130 billion won, out of a total of 3280 billion won. If students withdraw from their studies for any reason, they will be required to return the additional scholarship funds, except in cases of death where the return of funds is not mandatory.

The scholarship amount for private university students will also be expanded, with the amount increasing from 800 billion won this year to 1150 billion won next year.