College students' living expense loans increase amid soaring housing, food costs

College students in Seoul are taking out more living-expense loans as housing and food costs rise. KOSAF data showed the amount of such loans increased 32.8 percent to 850.6 billion won in 2025 from 640.67 billion won in 2023. Rep. Kang Kyung-sook urged a more detailed review of borrowers’ finances and stronger support for young borrowers.

The number of living-expense loans rose from 432,171 in 2023 to 457,129 in 2025.

Loans for recipients of basic livelihood assistance, near-poverty households and the lowest three income groups increased 33.9 percent to 363.47 billion won in 2025 from 271.5 billion won in 2023.

The loans carry an annual interest rate of 1.7 percent, and repayment starts after borrowers begin earning an income.

A survey of 44,818 recipients last year found that most borrowers used the money for food and transportation expenses.

Monthly rent for studio apartments in major university neighborhoods in Seoul rose by about 8 percent over the past year, according to Dabang.

Published Oct 2, 2026 12:00 pm KST

A college student looks at a rental listings displayed on a board near Chung-Ang University in Dongjak District, Seoul, Aug. 12. Yonhap

"I make about 600,000 won ($440) a month from my part-time job at a cafe. Even with a little help from my parents, I can't cover my rent and living expenses," said Kim, a college student living in Seongbuk District, Seoul.

"I've been asking my friends about income requirements and other eligibility criteria because I'm considering taking out a loan from the Korea Student Aid Foundation (KOSAF) next semester," she said.

Kim's concerns reflect a broader trend, with living-expense loans taken out by college students surging by nearly one-third over the past two years, while overdue balances also rose sharply, data showed Thursday.

The amount of living-expense loans extended to university students by KOSAF rose 32.8 percent to 850.6 billion won ($626.5 million) in 2025 from 640.67 billion won in 2023, according to data submitted by KOSAF to Rep. Kang Kyung-sook of the Rebuilding Korea Party.

The number of loans also increased from 432,171 to 457,129 over the same period.

The loans are designed to provide students with accessible financing for living expenses. They carry an annual interest rate of 1.7 percent, with repayment beginning after borrowers start earning an income.

The increase was particularly noticeable among students from lower-income households.

Loans taken out by recipients of basic livelihood assistance, near-poverty households and students in the lowest three income categories used to determine eligibility for government student aid rose 33.9 percent to 363.47 billion won in 2025 from 271.5 billion won in 2023.

KOSAF said a survey of 44,818 living-expense loan recipients conducted last year found that most borrowers used the money for its intended purposes, including food and transportation expenses.

Rising housing costs and inflation appear to be factors adding to the financial pressure on students.

Monthly rent for studio apartments in major university neighborhoods in Seoul rose by about 8 percent over the past year, according to Dabang, a real estate information platform.

Kang called on KOSAF to conduct a more detailed assessment of borrowers' financial situations, arguing that more detailed research is needed into how young people's debt is accumulating and what is driving them to borrow to cover living expenses.

"KOSAF appears to have considered its task done by having borrowers click a few check boxes when taking out loans, while failing to carry out a substantive assessment or carefully review its policies," Kang said.

"Policies should also provide more comprehensive support for young borrowers, including debt adjustment as well as more tailored financial assistance," she added.

随着住房和食品成本上涨，首尔大学生申请生活费贷款的现象日益增多。韩国学生贷款协会（KOSAF）的数据显示，此类贷款总额预计将从2023年的6406.7亿韩元增至2025年的8506亿韩元，增幅达32.8%。国会议员姜京淑呼吁对借款人的财务状况进行更详细的审查，并加大对年轻借款人的支持力度。

2023 年生活费贷款数量为 432,171 笔，2025 年为 457,129 笔。

2025年，基本生活援助受益者、近贫困家庭和收入最低的三组人群的贷款额从2023年的2715亿韩元增长33.9%，达到3634.7亿韩元。

贷款年利率为 1.7%，借款人开始获得收入后才开始还款。

去年对 44,818 名受助者进行的一项调查发现，大多数借款人将钱用于食品和交通支出。

据 Dabang 报道，过去一年首尔主要大学附近单间公寓的月租金上涨了约 8%。

发布于2026年10月2日韩国时间下午12:00

8月12日，一名大学生在首尔铜雀区中央大学附近查看告示牌上的租房信息。（韩联社）

“我在咖啡馆做兼职，每月收入约60万韩元（约合440美元）。即使有父母的资助，我也付不起房租和生活费。”居住在首尔城北区的大学生金女士说道。

“我一直在向朋友们询问收入要求和其他资格标准，因为我正在考虑下学期从韩国学生援助基金会（KOSAF）贷款，”她说。

金的担忧反映了一种更广泛的趋势，数据显示，过去两年大学生的生活费贷款激增了近三分之一，而逾期余额也大幅上升，周四公布的数据显示。

根据韩国学生援助基金（KOSAF）提交给重建韩国党议员姜京淑的数据，KOSAF向大学生提供的生活费贷款金额从2023年的6406.7亿韩元增长32.8%，到2025年的8506亿韩元（6.265亿美元）。

同期贷款数量也从 432,171 笔增加到 457,129 笔。

这些贷款旨在为学生提供便捷的生活费用资助。贷款年利率为1.7%，还款从借款人开始获得收入后开始。

低收入家庭学生的增幅尤为明显。

2025 年，领取基本生活援助金的人、接近贫困的家庭以及收入最低的三类学生（用于确定政府助学金资格）的贷款额从 2023 年的 2715 亿韩元增长了 33.9%，达到 3634.7 亿韩元。

韩国社会保障基金协会 (KOSAF) 表示，去年对 44,818 名生活费贷款领取者进行的一项调查发现，大多数借款人将这笔钱用于其预期用途，包括食品和交通费用。

不断上涨的住房成本和通货膨胀似乎是加剧学生经济压力的因素。

据房地产信息平台 Dabang 的数据显示，过去一年首尔主要大学附近单间公寓的月租金上涨了约 8%。

康呼吁韩国学生贷款协会（KOSAF）对借款人的财务状况进行更详细的评估，他认为需要更深入地研究年轻人的债务是如何累积的，以及是什么驱使他们借钱来支付生活费用。

康表示：“韩国证券及投资基金协会（KOSAF）似乎认为，只要借款人在贷款时勾选几个复选框就万事大吉了，而没有进行实质性评估或仔细审查其政策。”

她补充说：“政策还应为年轻借款人提供更全面的支持，包括债务调整以及更有针对性的财政援助。”