Dongducheon Expands Online Scholarship Aid For Students

On February 5, 2026, Dongducheon City made a significant announcement that could reshape the educational landscape for many of its young residents. In a move designed to ease the financial burden of private education and bridge the gap in academic opportunities, the city expanded its support for the Kangnam-gu Internet Scholarship Support Project. This initiative, which specifically targets middle and high school students from low-income families, is set to provide both financial relief and academic resources at a critical juncture in these students’ educational journeys.

The Kangnam-gu Internet Scholarship Support Project is no ordinary program. As reported by NewSis, it is an online scholarship service operated by Kangnam-gu, renowned for offering a comprehensive suite of internal and skill-based scholarships to students across the region. The service provides access to the entire secondary school curriculum, including both internal assessments and university entrance exam preparation courses. This year, Dongducheon City has allocated a hefty budget of 40 million won to support the project, ensuring that up to 1,600 scholarships are available annually—without the stress of competition. Eligible students are those whose families earn 5 million won or less per month, a threshold designed to reach those most in need of support.

For families struggling to keep up with the rising costs of private education, this program offers a lifeline. According to Jungan News, the city will subsidize 40,000 won of the annual tuition fee, meaning that students themselves are responsible for only a modest 5,000 won. In return, they gain unlimited access to more than 1,600 online lectures for an entire year. The breadth of content is impressive—covering the full spectrum of middle and high school subjects, and designed to help students excel in both their school studies and the all-important university entrance exams.

But the benefits don’t end with online lectures. As KG News notes, students will also receive a range of supplementary learning materials and access to study counseling, all intended to maximize the impact of their studies. The city’s goal is clear: to level the playing field for students who might otherwise be left behind due to financial constraints. As one city official put it, “We will continue to pursue various educational support policies so that students can reduce the burden of private education expenses and focus on their studies.”

The application process is straightforward but time-sensitive. Eligible students—those residing in Dongducheon City and attending middle or high school—must submit their applications via the Government24 portal by February 9, 2026, at 23:59. The city will announce the scholarship recipients on February 27, 2026, with further details about the application process and distribution of the online course passes to be confirmed by the end of February. This streamlined process is designed to ensure that support reaches students as efficiently as possible, minimizing administrative hurdles.

Mayor Park Hyung-deok has been vocal in his support for the initiative. In a statement shared with local media, he said, “We will continue to promote various education support policies so that students can reduce the burden of private education expenses and focus on their studies.” His words reflect a broader vision for the city, one in which all students, regardless of background, have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

It’s worth noting that Dongducheon City’s commitment to student welfare extends beyond academic support. In tandem with the scholarship project, the city operates a "Scholarship Anxiety Relief Project" to support children from divorced families. This initiative aims to reduce both psychological and physical anxiety by providing counseling and other forms of support, recognizing that academic achievement is often intertwined with overall well-being. According to NewSis, “The project aims to relieve educational anxiety among students and provide stable scholarship support.”

The city’s approach is holistic, recognizing that the pressures facing students today are multifaceted. For many families, the cost of private tutoring and educational materials can be overwhelming, leading to significant disparities in academic achievement. By subsidizing access to high-quality online education and offering additional counseling services, Dongducheon City is taking concrete steps to address these inequalities.

Parents and students in Dongducheon have responded positively to the initiative. The promise of unlimited access to a vast library of lectures and study materials for a nominal fee is, for many, a game changer. The fact that the scholarships are distributed in a non-competitive manner—meaning that all eligible applicants receive support—removes another layer of stress from the process. As one city official explained to KMAeil, “We are emphasizing the project’s role in alleviating educational anxiety and providing stable scholarship support for students.”

The broader context for this initiative is a nationwide debate in South Korea about the role of private education and the widening gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. While some families can afford expensive private tutors and cram schools, others are left to make do with far less. Programs like the Kangnam-gu Internet Scholarship Support Project represent an attempt to democratize access to quality education, leveraging technology to break down traditional barriers.

The city’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Educational experts point out that Dongducheon’s model could serve as a blueprint for other municipalities grappling with similar challenges. By combining financial support with access to high-quality digital resources and counseling, the city is addressing both the symptoms and root causes of educational inequality.

Of course, challenges remain. Ensuring that students make full use of the resources available to them will require ongoing outreach and support. The city has pledged to monitor the program’s effectiveness and make adjustments as needed, with the hope that more students will be able to realize their academic potential without the shadow of financial hardship hanging over them.

As the February 9 application deadline approaches, city officials are urging all eligible families to take advantage of the opportunity. The message is clear: in Dongducheon, no student should have to choose between their academic dreams and their family’s financial reality. With continued investment and community support, the city is betting that the next generation of students will be better equipped to succeed—regardless of where they come from or how much their parents earn.

For Dongducheon’s students, the future suddenly looks a little brighter—and a lot more accessible.