Scholarship helps North Korean escapees and their children pursue educational opportunities and build prosperous lives in freedom
DALLAS, TEXAS — Today, the George W. Bush Institute formally opened applications for the 2025 Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship, designed to help North Korean escapees and their children pursue higher education and build productive, prosperous lives.
The awards help escapees further their education by attaining a post-secondary degree, attending English-language classes, or completing a vocational program. Scholarships may be used to cover tuition, fees, books, and on-campus housing at any accredited institution of higher learning.
“It’s an honor to support North Korean escapees studying in the United States,” said Chris Walsh, Director of Global Policy at the Bush Institute. “I’m always inspired by our scholarship recipient’s generosity and determination to give back to their communities and make an impact.”
To date, nearly $350,000 has been awarded in the form of 84 scholarships to vocational school, community college, university, and graduate-level students who aspire to lead a variety of careers including as doctors, financial advisors, and United States diplomats. Many recipients have said the funding enabled them to complete their studies and expressed a desire to pay the generosity forward, helping fellow North Korean immigrants themselves.
The Bush Institute conducted a needs assessment study on North Korean refugee communities, revealing a trend of self-sufficiency but finding many escapees are in low-paying jobs, with little chance for advancement. Research shows many want to improve their opportunities through education but face economic obstacles. The findings led the Bush Institute to work with Korean-Americans and other community leaders across the country to establish the scholarship in 2017. The scholarship is administered by the Communities Foundation of Texas.
Applicants must be born in North Korea or be the child of someone born in North Korea; they must permanently reside in the United States as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or refugee; or be a North Korean escapee with South Korean citizenship pursuing a degree in the United States. Previous applicants and recipients are welcome to reapply. The application closes April 1, 2025.
This effort is part of the Bush Institute’s ongoing work to improve the human condition in North Korea.
The scholarship is administered by Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT). Interested candidates can learn more and apply on CFT’s website here.
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About the George W. Bush Institute
The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at bushcenter.org.
