On April 12th, Pusan National University (PNU) decided to provide a Uni-Wel scholarship once a month for the first time in for a national university, nationwide. PNU president Cha Jeong-In suggested this scholarship is aimed to help students from child welfare facilities, for their independent living and stable academic conditions.

Teenagers from child welfare facilities should leave there at the age of 18, due to the cessation of protective measures. If they don't go to a university, they receive 5 million won as settlement funds and 300,000 won per month for three years for living expenses. However, if they attend a university, the life in child welfare facilities is extended for five years, and there are no additional living subsidies given. After entering the university, students are classified as the basic livelihood security recipient, or secondary poverty, so their university tuition is supported by national scholarships. However, the living expenses are not financed, which makes it difficult to continue their living.

In response to this difficulty, PNU has decided to provide 300,000 won as scholarships every month to these students. Under the requirements of PNU Scholarship Regulations 23, scholarships for living independence will be provided every month for students from child welfare facilities if their grades in the previous semester are above 1.8, on average. In the case of freshmen, all eligible students will be allowed to receive the scholarship regardless of their grades, and the number of monthly payments and detailed standards of eligible students will be set by the budget each year. Targets for support are students from freshmen to seniors from protective facilities among selections of basic livelihood security recipient or secondary poverty, and students who have entered as "child welfare facility residents" shall be selected among the preferential admissions for underprivileged students. Now, 17 applicable students are currently attending PNU and 13 of them will receive a Uni-wel scholarship at the end of each month (March to August and September to February, next year). In the case of students admitted to other selections besides preferential admissions for underprivileged students, online applications will be received through the notice at the beginning of the semester.

Shim Min-Seo (Officer, Student Affairs) said, "We are very positive about providing payment for independent living and opportunities to students who are in a difficult environment while preparing for academic conditions and entry into society. I hope that this scholarship will help students and offer an environment where they can focus on their studies."