By Leah Garlock | Executive Director
Last year, we successfully piloted our Hagwon Scholarship Program and learned a great deal along the way. With thoughtful feedback from our partner children’s homes, we’ve refined and strengthened the program for the year ahead.
The Bigger Context
Our work takes place within a national landscape of rising private education costs in South Korea.
A Korea Times article (Feb. 4, 2026), citing the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), reported: “Korean families' spending on private education for their children has jumped by more than 60 percent over the past decade.”
In 2024, Korean households spent approximately $20.2 billion on private education, a 60.1% increase from 2014. Private education now accounts for up to 13.5% of total household expenditures, second only to food.
For many families, hagwons are a significant financial commitment. For children living in Korea’s social welfare system, access to these opportunities is often limited.
But cost is only one part of the story.
While hagwons can provide valuable academic support, they can also create intense pressure. Many students already attend long school days followed by evening study hours. As we expand access, we remain equally committed to ensuring participation supports confidence and growth rather than adding unnecessary stress.
How We Are Continuing the Program
Why This Matters
Through your support, students who might otherwise be excluded now have access to targeted academic support and enrichment opportunities.
Children’s homes have shared encouraging feedback, and students have expressed gratitude for being included in opportunities many of their peers take for granted.
What’s Next
In upcoming reports, we will share deeper insight into Korea’s hagwon system, updates on participating students, and a story written by our U.S. Fulbright Korea volunteers to highlight the human impact behind the statistics.
Thank you for supporting a program that closes the gap in educational opportunity while protecting student well-being.
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