Written by: Zhafira Aqyla
As we see the spread of the COVID-19 vaccines around the world, we are hopeful that student exchange will go back to the way it used to be prior to the pandemic. With the incoming spring term ahead of us, Food Diversity recommends you to research these three types of scholarships that you may seek to fund your studies in Japan.
1. MEXT Scholarships
MEXT Scholarship, or commonly known as Monbukagakusho scholarship, is financial support given from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture to foreign students interested to pursue higher education in Japan’s Top Global Universities. This one is the most sought out among international students who are intending to study for long-term in Japan as it has a lot of benefits, such as:
- Free university tuition until graduation
- Monthly stipend for living costs (amount varies 120,000 yen – 144,000 yen depending on your degree level)
- Flight ticket from and to Japan (excluding personal trips)
- Networking activities with fellow MEXT scholars
While you can refer to the official website at a later date for more detailed information, we are here to summarize the abundant detail for you. As part of the requirements, you are required to apply for this scholarship through your countries’ embassies, consulates, or institutions of higher education in Japan. This means you can either be recommended after a selection period in your country or by the university after receiving an acceptance letter.
For this scholarship, applicants are not required to speak Japanese, although it is encouraged by the government that they must be willing to learn the language and enthusiastic in understanding Japanese culture upon arrival.
2. JASSO Scholarships
In addition to MEXT Scholarships, the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) also offers two types of scholarships. The first is one is called the “Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students” who are accepted to Japanese higher education institutions including specialized training colleges and language schools. For this scholarship, you will receive a monthly stipend of 48,000 yen for a year during your studies in Japan. As per the title, you will still be required to pay your tuition and other expenses.
For those looking into short term fundings, JASSO also offers the “Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-term Study in Japan)” for those accepted by Japanese schools under student exchange agreements (8 days – 12 months) or other student exchange arrangements with their home schools outside Japan. Simply put, this scholarship is not for those seeing to finish their degrees in Japan.
Read this for more detail about different scholarship opportunities.
This scholarship grants you a monthly stipend of 80,000 yen per month. You will, however, still have to pay for the tuition during your exchange and finance your own travels from and to Japan.
To receive this scholarship, you may apply directly to the higher institutions you’re accepted to.
3. University Scholarships
When you are enrolled in Japan’s Top Global Universities, you likely have the chance to receive the university’s monthly scholarship as well. Since each university has different policies, personal inquiries must be made to know how much each university offers. However, our sources tell us the monthly stipend ranges from 60,000 yen to 120,000 yen depending on the month.
The requirements to receive the scholarship also differ. In one university, you will have to be a top 1% student in your program. In another, you can continue to receive the scholarship as long as you perform well.
4. Scholarships by Local Governments and Local International Associations
You can also seek scholarships given by the local governments in the cities/regions where you study. You can go and check this website for more information.
5. Scholarships by Private Foundation
Lastly, many private foundations and companies in Japan offer scholarships for international students. Some of them can be nationality-specific or department-specific with different application dates, so make sure to check this list thoroughly and find the best option for you! We hope you will get what you are looking for.
See Also
Applying for University in Japan? Make Sure to Prepare the Following!
