Student Scholarships

Sochon Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Korea Studies

The purpose of this scholarship, funded by the Sochon Foundation, is to help full-time graduate students in the Korea Studies Program in the Jackson School of International Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences fund the cost of attending the University of Washington. Selection shall be based on academic merit. As funds are limited, the amount of the scholarship shall be based on financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Madame Sochon Park Young-Hi, founder of the Sochon Foundation, was born in Seoul in 1935 and majored in mathematics at Seoul National University. She has long been devoted to teaching. She is currently involved in discovering, preserving, transmitting, and developing regional culture as head of the Yongsan Culture Center. Madame Sochon writes of her motivation in offering the Sochon Scholarship in Korea Studies:

"In the desolate 1950s right after the Korean War it was a time when people in Korea desperately struggled to survive amidst poverty and ruin. Even in this maelstrom my mother Madame Yi Su-bok’s enthusiasm for education never flagged, and I was able to begin university life. Although my university life began only with hope and enthusiasm, my most unforgettable event was receiving a Fulbright Scholarship. Although it was only enough money to buy a few books, I felt truly fortunate. In my young mind I resolved, ‘Regardless of how rich, they sent scholarship money even to a distant and unknown country, so I, too, when I grow up and if I am able must also create a foundation to help students and those with difficulties." Applicants should prepare the following materials:

• Cover letter including contact information
• Statement of Purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• One unofficial transcript

APPLICATION DEADLINE for 2008-2009 academic year: March 31, 2008

Please submit application materials to:

Dr. Young Sook Lim
Center for Korea Studies, Thomson 431
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195

University of Washington Korea Studies Graduate Fellowship

The Center for Korea Studies will award one Korea Studies Graduate Fellowship in the amount of $15,000 to an incoming graduate student in the Jackson School of International Studies or the College of Arts and Sciences. This fellowship is funded by the Academy of Korea Studies in Korea.

Korean Language Immersion Grant 2008 - Deadline: March 31, 2008

The Korea Studies Program is pleased to announce the availability of an award of $5,000 for Korean language study at a Korean university for spring or summer 2008.

Awards will be given on a competitive basis to University of Washington undergraduate and graduate students in good standing. Korea Studies and Korean Language and Literature majors will be given preference.   

Korea Studies Student Exchange Grant - Deadline: March 31, 2008

The Korea Studies Program stresses the importance of students spending significant time in Korea. The Center for Korea Studies helps one undergraduate or graduate student to finance a semester of study in Korea. The University of Washington has exchange agreements with Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, Inje University, and Academy for Korean Studies.