Korea Student Aid Foundation (KOSAF) is recruiting new scholarship recipients for the first semester of 2026 under its "Blue Lighthouse Donation Scholarship" program, which now includes a newly established fund donated by singer Younha.
KOSAF announced on the 25th that applications for new scholarship recipients will be accepted until March 12.
The Blue Lighthouse Donation Scholarship program provides living expenses to outstanding low-income university students across various fields, funded by donations from individuals and corporations. Since 2009, the foundation has distributed approximately 47.6 billion won to about 28,000 students.
This semester, 692 new recipients will be selected, each receiving between 1 million and 5 million won in living expense scholarships. A total of 17 donors are participating in this semester's selection process. The newly established "Singer Younha Donation Scholarship" has drawn particular attention.
On the same day, Younha shared the recruitment announcement on her social media, writing: "Physics and astronomy students, apply for the Younha Scholarship. You should win the Nobel Prize."
The Younha Scholarship will provide 2.5 million won each to 25 students. The fund was reportedly established through donations of 50 million won from Younha, 2.5 million won from Younha Band, and 10 million won from YouTuber Syuka World.
Eligible applicants must be South Korean citizens enrolled in domestic four-year universities or colleges, fall within income bracket 6 or below for student aid support, and major in departments with "physics" or "astronomy" in the name. Medical and healthcare-related departments such as physical therapy are excluded.
In December last year, Younha visited KOSAF's Seoul office to deliver 100 million won in scholarship funds, stating: "I hope students studying physics and astronomy can focus on their studies without financial worries."
The singer has consistently shown interest in science and space, releasing songs based on astronomical concepts such as "Event Horizon" and "Oort Cloud." KOSAF and Younha plan to continue supporting low-income physics and astronomy students with approximately 100 million won annually, rather than limiting this to a one-time initiative.
Applications for the Blue Lighthouse Donation Scholarship are limited to one donor organization per semester, with each donor applying different selection criteria. Results will be announced in mid-April.