[1] This scholarship provides non-Korean scholars (or overseas Koreans who fulfil certain criteria) with the funding and opportunity to conduct undergraduate or postgraduate level studies in South Korea after completing one year of intensive Korean language studies.
It is a foundation created by the government to reduce the burden on university students even a little during the Lee Myung Bak administration, where half-price tuition demonstrations continued.
[citation needed] In addition, NIIED provides airfare to student to and from their home country at the beginning and end of the program.
All scholars are required to obtain at least level 3 (intermediate) in the Test of Proficiency in Korean[6] (TOPIK) before they can continue to their degree studies.
[7] According to NIIED, TOPIK level 3 allows the individual to "perform basic linguistic functions necessary to use various public facilities and maintain social relationships.
"[8] The normal duration for the language program is one year, but it can be waived, shortened or extended depending on the scholar's TOPIK results.
Scholars who have previously obtained a TOPIK level of 5 or 6 (advanced) are exempted from the language program, and are required to start their studies immediately.