Training Allowance Eligibility, Attendance Recognition, and How to Use the National Tomorrow Learning Card

What Is the National Tomorrow Learning Card? Summary of Support Limits and Basic Benefits

If you are preparing for employment or considering a job change or self-development, the very first government-supported system you should look into is the National Tomorrow Learning Card.
As a card through which the Ministry of Employment and Labor supports training expenses so that citizens who wish to develop their vocational skills can take job training on their own initiative, it is integrated and operated under a single card without distinction between job seekers and currently employed workers.
💡 Support Limit per Person and Validity Period
When you are issued the National Tomorrow Learning Card, virtual points are granted in the form of a personal account.
Basic Support Limit: 3 million KRW per person
Additional Support Benefits: Additional support of 1 million to 2 million KRW depending on criteria such as vulnerable groups, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) workers, and employment crisis areas (up to a maximum of 5 million KRW)
Card Validity Period: 5 years from the date of issue (courses can be taken freely within this period)
Good to know!
While there are courses that are completely free of charge, out-of-pocket copayments ranging from 15% to 55% may occur depending on the employment rate and category of the specific job training course. (Certain eligible recipients, such as National Employment Support Program Type 1 participants, have copayments waived or significantly reduced.)
📌 3 Key Benefits at a Glance

1. Government Subsidy for Training Costs Across Various Job Roles

You can enroll in approved courses nationwide registered on HRD-Net—such as IT/coding, video editing, tax accounting, baking and pastry, barista skills, and heavy equipment operation—at affordable out-of-pocket costs or entirely for free.

1. 100% Free Tuition for K-Digital Training (KDT)

Training in new digital technology fields such as AI, big data, and cloud computing receives full (100%) government support for training costs for the first enrollment only, regardless of deduction from the 3 million KRW limit.

1. Monthly Training Allowance

When you diligently attend (attendance rate of 80% or higher) and complete a long-term course of 140 hours or more in total, you receive a cash subsidy for a training allowance of up to 116,000 KRW per month (up to roughly 200,000 KRW when meeting certain criteria) to cover transportation and meal expenses.
🔍 Eligibility and Exclusion Criteria Check
While the vast majority of citizens can be issued the card, statutory exclusion criteria exist, so verification is necessary before applying.
Eligible Applicants:
Republic of Korea citizens aged 15 or older
The unemployed (job seekers), currently employed workers, workers in special types of employment, freelancers, and self-employed individuals
College/university and graduate students with 2 years or less remaining until graduation
Excluded from Eligibility (Ineligible for Issuance):
Public officials, private school faculty and staff
Persons aged 75 or older
Workers at large corporations (large-scale enterprises) under the age of 45 with a monthly wage of 3 million KRW or more
Self-employed business owners with annual sales of 150 million KRW or more (48 million KRW or more for real estate rental businesses)
Workers in special types of employment with an average monthly income of 3 million KRW or more over the most recent 3 months

How to Apply for the National Tomorrow Learning Card and Register for Academy Courses

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1. How to Apply for the National Tomorrow Learning Card and Register for Academy Courses

The process from card issuance to registering for your desired educational training course is simpler than you might think.
Follow along step by step through online portals (Employment24 or Vocational Training Portal HRD-Net), covering everything from application to card receipt, course registration at an academy, and paying your copayment.
STEP 1. Online Card Application and Issuance (Employment24 / HRD-Net)
You can conveniently apply for the National Tomorrow Learning Card online without having to visit an Employment Center in person.

1. Access Portal and Log In

Access Employment24 or the Vocational Training Portal (HRD-Net) and log in using a joint certificate (public certificate) or simple authentication.

1. Complete the Issuance Application

Select the [Apply for National Tomorrow Learning Card Issuance] menu on the main screen.
Select your eligible applicant category (Job Seeker / Employed Worker / Self-Employed, etc.) and enter your personal information.

1. Watch Training Guide Video and Apply for Job Search on Worknet

Mandatory Video: You must watch the short educational video all the way to the end to understand the program before your application can be completed.
Job Seeker Precaution: If applying under the status of an unemployed person (job seeker), your resume registration and job application on [Worknet] must be completed in advance.

1. Select Card Issuance Method

Choose between the partner card companies (Shinhan Card or NongHyup Card).
Specify debit card vs. credit card and your receipt method (postal delivery or in-person pickup at a designated bank branch).
⏱ Time Required for Issuance
After online application, it takes about 2 to 5 business days for approval from the competent Employment Center, and it takes about 1 week based on postal delivery to receive the physical card.
STEP 2. Search Training Courses and Apply for Enrollment
Once your card issuance is approved, it is time to explore and apply for the courses you wish to take.
Course Exploration (HRD-Net Training Course Search):
Filter and search by region, job field (IT, design, baking and pastry, etc.), and weekend/night availability.
Carefully compare copayment amounts, course reviews (satisfaction ratings), and employment rates across courses.
Difference in Enrollment Routes Based on 140 Hours:
Courses of 140 hours or more (long-term training): After submitting an online enrollment application through HRD-Net, final selection is made through the Employment Center’s training assessment and counseling procedure (online or in-person).
Courses under 140 hours (short-term training): You can apply for enrollment directly on HRD-Net without a separate counseling procedure.
STEP 3. Register with Training Institution (Academy) and Pay Copayment
Once finally selected as an eligible student, complete registration according to the instructions of the academy (training institution).
Payment of Out-of-Pocket Copayment:
You must pay with the issued physical National Tomorrow Learning Card (ensuring your copayment balance is deposited into the connected bank account) for government support benefits to be properly applied.
Note that paying with a regular credit card or a card in someone else’s name makes government support processing impossible.
Prepare Attendance Tracking Method in Advance:
Attendance checks begin on the very first day of offline classes.
Download and install the [HRD-Net Trainee Attendance Management] app on your smartphone in advance and complete identity verification to prevent being marked tardy on the first day.
💡 Practical Tips from the Creator (Tip)
Checking Card Balance: You can check your remaining grant balance and copayment rate in real time at any time under the HRD-Net ‘My Services > Tomorrow Learning Card’ menu.
Beware of Penalties: If you drop out without valid justification or are expelled after enrollment, penalties such as grant limit reductions (1st offense: 200,000 KRW, 2nd offense: 500,000 KRW, etc.) will occur, so choose your courses carefully!

Comprehensive Guide to Training Allowance Eligibility and Support Amounts

The training allowance is the most tangibly beneficial perk for trainees taking government-supported courses, but the eligibility criteria and calculation methods can easily become confusing.

Here is a summary of the core points along with a table showing whether you qualify and how much you can receive per month.

1. Comprehensive Guide to Training Allowance Eligibility and Support Amounts

The training allowance is a stipend provided by the state to offset actual expenses for transportation and meals incurred during government-funded training.

It is not paid to everyone simply because they have been issued a card; you must meet both the course criteria and personal eligibility criteria to receive monthly cash deposits into your account.

📌 2 Essential Conditions to Receive the Training Allowance

1. Enrollment in a Course with Total Training Time of 140 Hours or More

• Short-term courses (under 140 total hours) are excluded from training allowance payments.

1. Achieving an Attendance Rate of 80% or Higher per Unit Period

• Attendance rates are calculated on a one-month unit period based on each month’s course start date, and you must attend 80% or more to receive that month’s allowance in full or prorated. (If attendance falls below 80%, the allowance for that month is 0 KRW.)

👥 Payment Eligibility Classification by Recipient Type (Who Can Receive It?)

⚠️ Caution on Overlapping Payments:

During the period you receive job-seeking benefits, the training allowance is not paid. However, for the remaining training period starting the day after unemployment benefits end, the allowance is accrued normally.

💰 Training Allowance Grant Amounts and Calculation Criteria

The training allowance is calculated by determining a daily (attendance day) standard amount and multiplying it by the actual number of days attended in a month, with a monthly ceiling applied.

• Daily Standard Unit Rate:

• Courses of 5 hours or more per day: 5,800 KRW per day including transportation and meal allowances
• Courses of less than 5 hours per day: 2,500 KRW per day under transportation allowance
• Monthly Maximum Limit for General Courses:

• Maximum of 116,000 KRW per unit period (1 month) (paid within the monthly cap even if attendance exceeds 20 days)
• Special Training Programs Such as K-Digital Training (KDT):

• In addition to the basic training allowance (up to 116,000 KRW), a special training allowance (up to 200,000 KRW per month) is added, allowing you to receive up to 316,000 KRW per month.

💡 Relationship with National Employment Support Program Stipends

Many people participate in both the National Employment Support Program and the Tomorrow Learning Card simultaneously. Check how allowances are paid in this situation:

• Type 1 Participants:

• Job-seeking promotion allowances (500,000 KRW) are paid normally each month.
• However, because the ‘meal allowance’ portion of the Tomorrow Learning Card training allowance is restricted from duplicate payment, only the transportation allowance (up to about 50,000 KRW per month) is paid in addition.
• Type 2 Participants:

• The National Employment Support Program training participation support allowance (up to about 284,000 KRW per month) and the Tomorrow Learning Card training allowance (up to 116,000 KRW per month) are linked, allowing you to receive total support worth up to approximately 400,000 KRW per month if conditions are met.

If you want to learn more about the next steps or related regulations:

Attendance Recognition Criteria and Precautions to Avoid Training Allowance Deductions

Managing your attendance rate is absolutely essential to receive the full training allowance and avoid expulsion (dropout) penalties.

Because government-funded training attendance is recorded strictly down to the minute via the Ministry of Employment and Labor computer network (HRD-Net), you should familiarize yourself in advance with attendance calculation principles and recognition criteria.

📌 Core Principle: 80% Attendance Rate Mandatory

The training allowance is calculated based on the attendance rate during each monthly unit period (1 month) counted from the course start date.

• When Achieving an Attendance Rate of 80% or Higher: The allowance is paid in full or prorated based on the actual number of days attended
• When Attendance Rate Falls Below 80%: The training allowance for that unit period is not paid at all (processed as 0 KRW)
• Caution on Overall Course Attendance: If cumulative attendance across the entire training period drops below 80%, completion becomes impossible (processed as non-completion) and Tomorrow Learning Card penalties (such as limit reductions) are imposed.

⏱ Calculation Method for Tardy, Early Departure, and Going Out: ‘3 Cumulative Occurrences = 1 Day of Absence’

Many people let their guard down thinking “being tardy once or twice should be fine,” only to find their allowance reduced.

• The 3 Cumulative Occurrences Rule: Regardless of whether it is a tardy, early departure, or going out, every time a total of 3 occurrences accumulates, it is automatically processed by the computer system as ‘1 day of absence.’
• When Participating in Less Than 50% of the Daily Training Time:

• Even if you entered the classroom, if you attended less than 50% of the total class hours for that day and left early or arrived late, it is processed as an ‘absence’ for that day rather than a tardy or early departure.
• Expiration Within Unit Period: Accumulated counts of tardies and early departures may not reset after a unit period ends and can carry over into the next unit period calculation, so you must check with the training institution’s administrative office regularly regarding accumulation status.

📄 ‘Excused Absence (Special Attendance)’ Reasons and Supporting Documents Recognized as Attendance Despite Being Absent

When unable to attend due to unavoidable personal circumstances, family events, or job-seeking activities, you can receive attendance recognition (excused absence) by submitting designated supporting documents in advance.

⚠️ Strict Adherence to Document Submission Deadlines:

The most nerve-racking part of receiving government-funded education is attendance management.

Because the training allowance is directly linked to the number of attendance days, you must accurately understand the number of absences, the calculation method for tardies/early departures, and excused absence regulations to prevent the misfortune of having your allowance reduced to zero.

1. Attendance Recognition Criteria and Precautions to Avoid Training Allowance Deductions

Attendance management for the National Tomorrow Learning Card is strictly managed down to minutes and seconds through the Ministry of Employment and Labor computer network (HRD-Net).

Here is a summary of the minimum attendance thresholds and concrete tips to prevent reductions so you can receive the full subsidy without issues.

🚨 Basic Principles for Receiving 100% of the Training Allowance

• Mandatory 80% Attendance Rate per Unit Period:

• You must attend at least 80% of the prescribed training days within the unit period, which is calculated every month based on the course start date.
• Example: If a month (unit period) has 20 class days, you must attend normally for at least 16 days to receive the allowance prorated on a daily basis.
• Penalty for Attendance Rates Below 80%:

• Even if attendance is short by just 0.1% at 79.9%, the training allowance for that month is processed as entirely 0 KRW (unpaid).

⏱️ Calculation Method for Tardy, Early Departure, and Going Out: The 3 Cumulative Occurrences Formula

Tardies, early departures, and outings occurring during class are tracked by count and converted into absences when accumulated.

• 3 Cumulative Occurrences = Deduction of 1 Day of Absence:

• When tardies, early departures, and outings are combined across types and 3 occurrences are recorded, it is processed as ‘1 day of absence.’
• 2 tardies + 1 early departure = 1 day of absence
• In addition to being processed as an absence, the daily meal/transportation allowance may also be deducted from the actual attendance day calculation on days when a tardy, early departure, or outing occurs.
• When Participating in Less Than 50% of the Prescribed Training Time:

• Days where you participate for less than 50% of the total daily class hours are immediately processed as ‘absences’ rather than tardies or early departures. (e.g., if you attend only 3 hours out of an 8-hour class day and leave early, it is processed as an absence for that day)

📄 ‘Excused Absence’ Reasons and Supporting Documents Recognized as Attendance Despite Being Absent

When you must miss class due to inevitable circumstances, attendance can be recognized only for designated reasons. It is officially recognized once supporting documents are submitted to the training institution (academy) around the date the reason occurs.

📌 Administrative Tip:

In principle, supporting documents must be submitted to the administrative office within 3 days from the date of occurrence (or by the deadline designated by the academy) for them to be reflected in the system, so it is safest to notify the academy in advance whenever an event arises.

⚠️ Common Mistakes Made During Attendance Checks and How to Handle Them

1. Caution on Missing Verification in the HRD-Net Attendance App (Beacon/QR):

• If you check in upon entry but go home without checking out upon leaving, it will be processed as an absence or early departure for that day. You must check the computerized records for both the “check-in” and “check-out” scans without fail.

1. In Case of Smartphone Breakdown or Battery Discharge:

• If a problem occurs with your smartphone making Beacon/QR verification impossible, you must immediately notify the academy staff (administrative office) and complete a handwritten attendance sheet (request form for administrative entry). If you request this late after class has ended, it may be difficult to have it reflected.

1. Warning on Mid-Course Expulsion Criteria:

• If you are absent consecutively without a valid reason (usually 5 to 10 consecutive days) or if your overall cumulative attendance rate drops significantly, you may be “expelled mid-course” in accordance with academy regulations and Ministry of Employment and Labor guidelines, resulting in subsidy clawbacks and future restrictions (penalties) on the use of your Tomorrow Learning Card.

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Training Allowance Deposit Date and Payment Procedures (FAQ)

This is a main text draft clearly organizing in FAQ format the actual time required for training allowance deposits, settlement procedures, and penalties in the event of mid-course dropouts, which trainees search for and inquire about most frequently with the administrative office after a unit period ends.

1. Training Allowance Deposit Date and Payment Procedures (FAQ)

Many people feel anxious wondering why money is not deposited into their bank account immediately after a unit period (1 month) ends.
Because the training allowance is paid after attendance finalization by the training institution and review and approval by the competent Employment Center, a certain administrative settlement period is required. Here is an overview of the actual deposit process and key inquiries.
🔄 The 4-Step Training Allowance Payment Process at a Glance

1. Closing of Unit Period (1-Month Increments Based on Course Start Date)

Attendance is initially closed based on each individual’s course start date (e.g., if starting on March 15, closed on April 14), rather than based on the 1st through the end of each calendar month.

1. Training Institution (Academy) Attendance and Settlement Reporting

Within 2 to 3 days after the unit period ends, the academy administrative office reviews each trainee’s attendance rate and excused absence supporting documents, then applies for allowance payment to the competent Employment Center via the HRD-Net system.

1. Review and Approval by the Competent Employment Welfare Plus Center

The Employment Center representative makes the final payment decision after querying computerized records regarding the submitted attendance logs and checking for overlaps with job-seeking benefits (unemployment benefits).

1. Cash Deposit into Card Company/Bank Account

Once approval is complete, cash is deposited into the linked account (an account under your own name, such as Shinhan or NongHyup) designated when the National Tomorrow Learning Card was issued.
❓ Training Allowance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Exactly how many days does it take to be deposited after the unit period ends?
A. Typically, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks (10 to 15 business days) from the closing date of the unit period.
It may be delayed slightly depending on the Employment Center’s workload, public holidays, and month-end/month-beginning settlement schedules. If it is not deposited after more than 4 weeks following the end of a unit period, it is advisable to check progress under the HRD-Net ‘Settlement History Inquiry’ menu or consult the academy administrative office.
Q2. Can I directly check my allowance payment processing status?
A. You can check it in real time on the Vocational Training Portal (HRD-Net).
Inquiry path: HRD-Net Login → [My Services] → [Training Allowance Payment Application Status] (or ‘Settlement Management’)
Meaning of each status:
Application Received: The academy has transferred documents to the Employment Center
Payment Decided: Employment Center approval is complete and instructions for payment have been issued to the bank (usually deposited within 1 to 2 days after decision)
Unpaid: Rejected due to falling short of the 80% attendance rate or due to duplicate receipt restrictions (such as unemployment benefits)
Q3. If I get a job during the course or drop out due to personal reasons, do I have to pay back previously received allowances?
A. Training allowances for previous unit periods that were already normally received are not clawed back.
However, for the specific unit period in which you dropped out, the allowance for that month is not paid because you fail to fulfill the 80% attendance rate.
⚠️ Precautions When Dropping Out (Card Penalties):
Early completion/dropping out due to employment: Recognized as a valid reason, so there is no card penalty (subsidy reduction). (However, submission of proof such as a certificate of employment is mandatory)
Dropping out due to simple change of mind/personal reasons: The Tomorrow Learning Card support limit is deducted by 200,000 KRW for the 1st offense, 500,000 KRW for the 2nd offense, and 1,000,000 KRW for the 3rd offense, and penalties resulting in increased copayment rates apply when taking other government-funded training later.
Q4. How does the sender name appear when deposited into the bank account?
A. It is deposited under the name of the competent Employment Center, the local government, or the card company.
In the bank account description line, it typically appears as “OO Employment Center,” “Korea Employment Information Service,” “Shinhan Card,” “NongHyup,” or “Training Allowance,” allowing you to verify the deposit record.
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