Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) scholarships 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
If you’re planning to study in Japan in 2026, applications for the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) scholarships are now open. These scholarships — including both long-term support for degree-seeking students and short-term exchange support — make studying in Japan more accessible to international students with strong academic records and financial need. Here's everything you need to know.
🎓 Scholarships Summary
Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students
Location: Japan (at Japanese universities, graduate schools, junior colleges, colleges of technology, specialized training colleges, Japanese language institutes, or preparatory courses)
Host Institution: Any eligible Japanese educational institution cooperating with JASSO.
Study Level: Undergraduate, Graduate (Master’s / Doctoral), Research students; also Japanese-language institutes or preparatory courses for university entrance.
Target Group: Privately financed international students (i.e. students not funded by their national government or by Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship) encountering financial difficulties; with good academic record and character.
Fields of Study: Any — scholarship applies broadly, regardless of field, as long as student is admitted and meets requirements.
Award Value / Coverage: Monthly stipend of 48,000 yen/month for undergraduate/graduate/research students; 30,000 yen/month for students at Japanese-language institutes.
Award Duration: Typically 12 months (April to March), or 6 months (October to March) for autumn enrollees.
Application Deadline / Period: Depending on the institution and enrollment time. For example, for pre-arrival admission (enrolling April 2026), application as part of admission to the Japanese university/graduate school.
Eligible To: International students (outside Japan) planning to study in Japan; privately financed; with required language skills; and able to meet the financial-need criteria.
Student Exchange Support Program (Short-term Study in Japan under Agreement)
Location: Japan (host Japanese university or college)
Host Institution: Japanese university/graduate school/junior college/college of technology/professional training college that has an exchange agreement with a foreign (“home”) institution.
Program Type: Short-term study / exchange (from 8 days up to 1 year) for students enrolled at a foreign home higher-education institution.
Target Group: International students accepted under an exchange agreement; with financial need; planning to return to home institution after exchange; with good academic and personal record.
Award Value / Coverage: Monthly stipend of 80,000 yen/month during the period of stay.
Award Duration: From 8 days up to 1 year (depending on the exchange agreement / program)
✨ Further Details
This is the main long-term scholarship offered by JASSO to privately financed international students in Japan. Students who are already admitted (or planning to enroll) at eligible Japanese institutions — undergraduate, graduate, or research — can apply through their institution.
If you apply before entering Japan (pre-arrival admission), some institutions provide the scholarship through a “reservation program” simultaneously with your university admission application.
After admission, the university reviews applicants and nominates selected students to JASSO. Once approved, recipients receive the monthly stipend (48,000 yen) for either 12 or 6 months — depending on the enrollment date.
This option is for short-term exchanges rather than degree-seeking. If your home university has a student-exchange agreement with a Japanese institution, and you are selected to study in Japan for a semester or up to a year, you may receive an 80,000 yen/month stipend during your stay.
🎁 Benefits
Monthly financial support — 48,000 yen/month (or 30,000 for language-school students), which can significantly offset living costs in Japan.
Flexibility of duration — 12-month or 6-month options for long-term scholarship; short-term support for exchange programs ranging from days to one year.
Wide eligibility — applies to undergraduates, postgraduates, research students, and even language-institute or preparatory-course students.
Support for both degree and exchange students — whether you aim to complete a full degree or engage in a short academic exchange.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Honors Scholarship:
You must be a privately financed international student (i.e. not sponsored by home country government or by a MEXT scholarship) with “Student” residency status in Japan.
You need good academic standing: many universities require a GPA threshold (e.g. at least 2.30) in the previous year.
Language proficiency: either Japanese (JLPT N2 or EJU Japanese at 200 points or above) or English (CEFR B2 or higher) is required, except for students in preparatory or language-school courses.
Financial need: average monthly remittance (excluding tuition/fees) must be under 90,000 yen; if the financial supporter resides in Japan, their annual income must be under 5,000,000 yen.
Not receiving other conflicting scholarships or support from JASSO’s short-term exchange program.
Willing to cooperate with the career-path / academic status survey conducted by JASSO.
For the Exchange Support Program:
Must be accepted under a formal exchange agreement between your home institution and a Japanese institution.
Must demonstrate financial need and academic/personal qualification as per your home institution’s selection.
Must obtain (or be eligible for) a “Student” visa status for the duration in Japan.
📖 Need resources to prepare for your TOEFL OR IELTS Exam? CHECK our top Picks:
ℹ️ Earns Commission
📝 Application Procedure
For Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship:
Contact the international-student / scholarship office of the Japanese institution where you plan to enroll (or are already enrolled). The application to JASSO goes through your school — individual direct applications are generally not accepted.
If applying before arrival (pre-arrival admission), indicate in your admission application that you wish to be considered under the “Reservation Program for Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship.”
After acceptance/admission, submit required documents to your school (transcripts, proof of language proficiency, financial information, residence status, etc.). The school then reviews and recommends candidates to JASSO.
Once nominated, JASSO makes the final decision, and if approved, you receive a “Scholarship grant” — stipend paid monthly.
For Student Exchange Support Program
Your home institution must have an exchange agreement with the Japanese institution.
The Japanese host institution submits application to JASSO on behalf of eligible students.
After screening, JASSO notifies the decision via the host institution.
ℹ️ Additional Notes / What’s New for 2026
The scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria for 2025–2026 are clearly stated by JASSO. As of now, the stipend remains at 48,000 yen/month for degree-seeking students.
For enrollment in April 2026 (typical Japanese academic year), many graduate schools (e.g. Graduate School of Frontier Sciences at The University of Tokyo) already include the JASSO Honors Scholarship option in their 2026 admission procedures.
Because availability depends on how many students a given institution can nominate, being early in admission cycles and preparing a strong application (academics + language + financial need) improves chances.
✨ Why This Opportunity Matters
For international students aspiring to study in Japan, especially those seeking Master’s or PhD programs — or even undergraduate studies — the JASSO scholarship offers a stable monthly allowance. While 48,000 yen may not cover all expenses, it significantly offsets living costs (food, transport, daily expenses), making Japan more accessible especially for privately financed students.
For short-term exchange students, the 80,000 yen monthly stipend under the Student Exchange Support Program can make a semester or year abroad in Japan more affordable.
👌🏻 Tips for Applicants
Start early: identify Japanese universities or graduate schools offering your desired field, check whether they accept privately financed international students, and whether they allow JASSO recommendation.
Ensure you meet minimum academic and language requirements (GPA, JLPT N2 or CEFR B2/English). If applying in English-taught programs, CEFR B2 (or equivalent) will likely be acceptable.
Prepare financial documents carefully — accurate evidence of financial need (remittance level, family income) is critical.
Maintain strong academic performance after acceptance — the stipend can be terminated if academic standing drops or if you no longer meet requirements.
If coming from outside Japan, pay attention to visa (“Student” status) and arrival timing (April vs October/November entry) — that impacts scholarship duration and start date.