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As the new semester begins, the neighborhoods around universities come alive with a bustling atmosphere. The average rent for studio apartments near major universities in Seoul has exceeded 620,000 won, reaching the highest level since 2019, causing ongoing concern for both students and their parents. In response, the government and local authorities have introduced various support programs to help ease student housing costs.

2026 Special Monthly Youth Rent Support

One of the programs supporting students facing these challenges is the 2026 Special Monthly Youth Rent Support Initiative. The application period for new applicants in 2026 runs from Monday, March 30, to 4 p.m. on May 29, and applicants must apply in person. The program targets young adults born between 1991 and 2007 who are living separately from their parents and do not own a home. While the number of recipients varies by region, a total of 60,000 new beneficiaries are expected nationwide in 2026. The program is designed for young adults from households with an income at or below 60% of the median, and each individual can receive support up to 24 times, regardless of whether it is the first or second round of funding. The subsidy covers up to 200,000 won per month for rent, excluding utility and management fees.

Housing Stability Scholarship

Housing Stability Scholarship, run by the Korea Student Aid Foundation is also another option. This program helps university students who face high housing costs due to the long distance. The scholarship is for students who are under 40 years old, have Korean citizenship, and are recognized as basic livelihood recipients or part of the near-poverty class when applying for financial aid. Graduate students are not eligible. Applicants must complete household consent to verify their parents’ resident registrations. Both parents’ addresses must be in areas far from the student’s university. The scholarship provides comprehensive support for housing-related expenses, and the benefit amounts to a maximum of 200,000 won per month. Support is not provided during vacations, but students taking seasonal courses can receive the scholarship during the vacation periods.

At SeoulTech, students from Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon are excluded. The scholarship is open every semester. For the first semester of 2026, applications have already finished, but recruitment takes place every semester each year.

In addition to scholarship-style support, a more stable way to ease housing costs is through public rental housing. For example, programs such as Seoul Youth Safe Housing, supported by the Seoul Metro politan Government, and LH Happy Housing, provided by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, can help reduce students’ housing expenses.To make the most of these programs, it is important to carefully check the eligibility requirements, application periods, and recruitment schedules in advance. The housing challenges faced by university students occur every year, but many students miss out on available support because they are not aware of the programs. Therefore, staying informed and actively utilizing these benefits can provide real and practical assistance to students.

Reporter

Sua Lee

sualee7@g.seoultech.ac.kr

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