Start Here: Timeline and Basic Grant Info

Note: Based on the experience of myself and fellow 2024 SK ETAs; a working, unofficial list. I can only guarantee that the information written below is accurate for the 2023-2024 grant year, as procedures, timelines, etc may change over the coming years. In addition, if you are a finalist reading this page, note that most of KAEC's required documentation must be dated within six months of the start of teaching.

Below is some very critical info I learned from both the group chat and my own research, cross-referencing, and general experience that will hopefully be helpful for you A) making sure you’re on top of documents/deadlines and B) keeping track of any potential confusing/conflicting information (but also keep in mind this is from my own personal and specific experience; not all of the info below may be fully applicable or relevant for your grant year/program. Good luck!):

• There are two main programs you will be dealing with: Institute of International Education (IIE) and Korean-American Educational Commission (KAEC). IIE and KAEC are different entities that require different forms, verifications, etc. In short, IIE is the US side and KAEC is the Korean side. This can get confusing in the beginning when trying to make sure you’re submitting the right documents to the right places at the right times, so make sure you know which of the two each certain deadline/document is for.

• KAEC uses ContentSnare to upload documents/forms (starting September). IIE uses connect.iie portal (starting late March/early April)

• I received my semi-finalist notification on January 25th. I received my finalist notification on March 28th and got a message from my IIE advisor March 31. KAEC sent the “grant acceptance” form for me to either accept or reject the position on September 1st. I was to return the signed document by September 14th (to BOTH IIE and KAEC; separate entities with separate portals, remember!)

• IIE tends to get all its form submission done sooner and on through a larger time frame than KAEC. 

IIE forms you submit through connect.iie portal:

• Medical History and Examination Form (I submitted in Dec)

• Universal Fulbright Program Terms & Conditions Form (I submitted in April)

• Passport to confirm U.S. citizenship (I submitted in April)

• Grant Award Document/Financial Terms, once available (I submitted in Sep. once KAEC sent it)

• Bachelor’s Degree Verification (I submitted in September, could have been earlier but I just put it off)

• Proof of purchase for pre-approved travel itinerary, or itinerary purchased through IIE’s travel agency (December)

KAEC forms you submit through contentsnare (pre-in-processing), 

1. Signed Award Document

2. Signed KAEC Terms and Conditions

3. Signed IIE Terms and Conditions

4. Signed Lack of Korean Heritage Attestation or Official R.O.K. Documentation Regarding Korean Citizenship

5. Signed Medical Attestation

I filled out all of the above KAEC portal documents the same day, since the window to fill them out was within two weeks of receiving them through email, in my case September 1 to September 14. Previous to receiving the portal/document email September 1, all I knew was to wait to hear from KAEC in late August. Prior to receiving said email, expect little to no communication from KAEC. Nerve-wracking, I know, but be assured that this is the way it has been done for years (according to past ETAs and that as long as you have heard from IIE about documentation, it is alright to not hear from the program for a few months at a time until in-processing begins in the late months of the year.

"In-processing" is a KAEC-specific term (not IIE; I made that mistake when asking my IIE advisor when “in-processing” would begin and he had no idea what I was talking about. Oops!). In-processing is when things get into motion, including receiving info about TESOL/TEFL certification, visa applications, flight logistics, background checks, pre-orientation Korean classes (only for those otherwise new to the language), etc.

See below for my full KAEC in-processing timeline for document submission, as well as to view my information posts on in-processing documentation, timeline, and expectations (to be updated as I add new posts for each section)

• In-Processing Group 1 (instructions received Nov. 13, due Nov. 15)

o U.S. Passport (must be valid for at least 3 years aka until December 31, 2026)

o Undergraduate Diploma

o Undergraduate Transcript

o Master’s Transcript and Diploma (if applicable)

o Basic ETA info survey (basic info like dietary restrictions, updates to permanent address, closest major international airport, accommodations, Kakao ID, etc.)

• In-Processing Group 2 (instructions received Nov, 13, due Nov. 30)

o IIE Medical Form (MUST be dated AFTER September 1 to comply with KAEC standards)

o Negative Drug Test

o Negative TB Test

o Immunization History (Including COVID-19 Vaccination)

o FBI Identity History Summary Check (Criminal Background Check)

• In-Processing Group 3 (instructions received Nov. 30, due Dec. 15)

o USDOS Apostilled FBI CBC

o Korean Language Certificate

o A-3-99 Visa (Issued by Korean Consulate)

o TESOL/TEFL Certificate

o Headshot (Photo taken within 6 months)

o Passport Photo Scan (Photo taken within 6 months)

o PNG Signature

• Additional Documents/Requirements (instructions received Dec. 15, due Dec. 19)

o Handwritten self-introduction in Korean

o Sign up for speaking placement test

o Optional Attendance to Online Pre-Departure Orientation

In-Processing Timeline received by KAEC: