Moving to Japan as a student is an exciting journey, but the financial aspects can be a significant challenge. Meko understands the financial burden placed on our students, who often face the challenges of living in a foreign country without local family support. That’s why we are committed to offering scholarships that recognize our students' dedication and help them build a bright future in Japan.

In addition to our own scholarships, several external organizations offer financial aid to support international students in Japan. Here, we’ll outline the scholarships available through Meko, highlight external scholarship opportunities, and share tips for securing financial aid.

Meko Scholarships

Our internal scholarships are tailored to reward hardworking students enrolled in our programs for at least six months. To be eligible, students must maintain a 95% or higher attendance rate, meet specific performance criteria, and adhere to all the school’s regulations.

Top University Distinctive Scholarship: ¥100,000 for students accepted to The University of Tokyo or Kyoto University.

Top University Scholarship: ¥50,000 for students admitted to one of the following universities: Tohoku University, Osaka University, Hokkaido University, Kyushu University, Nagoya University, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo University of the Arts, Waseda University, Keio University, Musashino Art University, and Tama Art University.

Teacher’s Recognition Scholarship: ¥50,000 for one long-term student annually, awarded for outstanding academic performance, high motivation, and serving as a positive role model.

Student Excellence Scholarship: ¥30,000 for students achieving excellent results in EJU (350) or JLPT N1.

Perfect Attendance Scholarship: ¥30,000 for students maintaining 100% attendance for one year.

External Scholarships

Various organizations in Japan also offer scholarships to support international students. Meko provides recommendations for selected students for the following external scholarships.

JASSO Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship: Provides ¥30,000 monthly to privately funded students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. Depending on the enrollment period, recipients receive either 6 or 12 monthly payments during the scholarship term.

LSH ASIA Scholarship Association: Offers ¥20,000 yen monthly for the five months from August to December of the same year in which recipients are selected.

Independent Scholarship Opportunities

Students can also apply for scholarships independently. Some examples include:

MEXT Scholarship for International Students: A program designed to support privately funded international students enrolled in universities, graduate schools, junior colleges, vocational schools, preparatory education programs for university admission, or Japanese language institutions. ¥30,000 is provided monthly for selected students.

Nitori International Scholarship Foundation: Provides ¥50,000–¥80,000 monthly for one year to selected international students.

Local Government Scholarships: Many cities and regions in Japan offer scholarships to students living or studying in their areas.

Private Foundations: Scholarships from companies or organizations based on specific fields, regions, or academic goals.

Tips for Securing Scholarships

Search for Relevant Scholarships: Look for opportunities in Japan and your home country. Consider scholarships tailored to unique aspects of your background, such as prior military service, financial hardship, or professional expertise.

Start Early: Some scholarships require applications before enrollment, while others open after you’ve started your studies. Make sure you understand the scholarships’ timelines and application deadlines.

Understand Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet all criteria before applying to avoid unnecessary effort or mistakes on your applications.

At Meko, we are passionate about helping our students achieve their dreams, whether it’s attending a top university or securing a career that requires Japanese proficiency. Scholarships play a key role in making these dreams a reality and help to recognize the dedication and ambition of our students.

If you're ready or plan to embark on your journey to Japan, request a consultation today to learn more about enrollment and the opportunities that await you.