Below is a list of scholarship opportunities for study aboard and study abroad in Japan. Past Japan Study students have had success with many of these scholarships. Deadlines and qualifications vary; please click on the links for more information. There are many scholarship opportunities for international study, but students must be proactive in finding and applying for these awards. Contact your study abroad office for additional scholarship opportunities. Japan Study is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Bridging Scholarship for Study Abroad in Japan
The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad. Award amounts vary from $2,500 for semester-long programs to $4,000 for academic year programs. Students studying in Japan on summer programs are not eligible to apply.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are planning to study abroad. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. Ideally, students should begin their application one full semester before their study abroad program is scheduled to begin.
Boren Scholarship
The National Security Education Program's Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Maximum scholarship awards are: $10,000 for a semester and $20,000 for a full academic year. The application deadline for the Boren Scholarships is February 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Hashi.org
Each year, hashi.org awards three $1000 scholarships - one to a Japanese, one to a Korean, and one to an American. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and overall intent for usage as expressed in the application essay.
JASSO
The Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan) scholarship, funded by the Japanese government is available for qualified international students accepted by Japanese universities, graduate schools or colleges of technology under the student exchange agreement on a short-term basis from about three months to one year.
Monbukagakusho- Japanese Studies
The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) offers scholarships for non-Japanese nationals wishing to study in Japan. The Japanese Studies scholarship allows U.S. citizens the opportunity to spend a year continuing their study of Japanese language or culture at one of several universities in Japan. This is a highly competitive scholarship for undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 30 with a strong knowledge of Japanese language. Please contact your local Japanese Consulate for more details.
U.S. citizens living in the 10-state jurisdiction of IL, IN, IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD, and WI should apply through the Consulate General of Chicago.
Nissho Iwai Foundation Scholarship Program
The Nissho Iwai International Exchange Foundation Scholarship funds students coming to Japan for study or research purposes. The scholarship is awarded to students of selected universities (Hitotsubashi, Hokkaido, Jochi, Keio, Kobe, Kyoto, Kyushu, Nagoya, Osaka, Tohoku, Tokyo, Tokyo Kogyo, Tsukuba, Waseda and Yokohama) every two years in June. For undergraduate students, the monthly disbursement is 70,000 Yen. Applicants must be in the third or fourth year of an undergraduate course and 30 years old or under. Students living outside Japan are not eligible for the scholarship.
Phi Sigma Iota (Foreign Language Honor Society) Scholarship
Active members of Phi Sigma Iota are eligible for this award. Application includes a personal statement, written by the candidate in both English and the nominee's major Foreign Language, outlining qualifications and the purpose for which the award will be used. Please contact your college’s Phi Sigma Iota Faculty Advisor for more information.
Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi awards grants in the amount of $1,000 to undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 3.5 to study abroad.
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship
The Ambassadorial Scholarships program helps further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors academic year scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country. Contact your local Rotary chapter for more information.
Go Overseas Scholarships
Go Overseas scholarships are available to students currently enrolled in, or in the process of applying to, any study abroad program. The scholarship is awarded based on the creativity and analytical thinking displayed through writing samples and/or video submissions. Awards up to $1,000
STA Travel, Inc. Scholarship
The STA scholarships are designated for students from underrepresented areas in international education who are majoring in Photography, Film and Art, Travel and Tourism, International Business, International Studies, and Foreign Language.
Foundation for Global Scholars
Provides scholarships for students to study abroad. Students must be U.S. or Canadian citizens. Students who are from underrepresented populations in international education are a priority.
The Global Studies Grant for Student Travel and Study Abroad
Through the Global Studies Foundation, this grant provides supplemental funds for U.S. citizens who are already studying abroad under the auspices of an official study abroad program conducted by an accredited academic institution. Students must be currently enrolled full-time and in good academic standing at an accredited secondary or postsecondary institution.
LewerMark 'Make your Mark' Scholarship Program
Scholarship essay contest for study abroad students with awards from $700 through $1,250
Scholarship Databases
Scholarship Databases and Additional Funding Information
The Learning Abroad Center at the University of Minnesota has a searchable database of scholarships for American undergraduate students planning to study abroad
Scholarships for Multicultural Students Studying Abroad
The International Studies & Programs at Michigan State University has a list of scholarships available to students of color considering study abroad
IIE
A free online database of study aboard scholarships, fellowships, and grants
Financial Aid for Study Abroad: An Undergraduate Student's Resource
Information on funding your study abroad experience from NAFSA
Study Abroad: An Investment in Your Future
Information from Michigan State University about financing your study abroad experience