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If you have any questions about the MEXT scholarship application process (or any of my articles on the subject), please ask them in the comments or below or in the FAQ article for your specific subject.
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FAQ
1. How Do I Apply?
To apply for the MEXT scholarship, please contact your local Japanese embassy or consulate. Each scholarship has specific requirements, so it's essential to consult with them directly for accurate and up-to-date information.
Please note that the MEXT scholarship application process differs from other Japanese government programs like the JET Program. All inquiries about the MEXT scholarship should be directed to your local embassy or consulate.
For a list of embassies and consulates, visit this Page.
2. What is the "University Recommendation" pathway for the MEXT Scholarship?
The "University Recommendation" pathway allows students applying for a graduate scholarship to apply through their university rather than the embassy. However, if you apply through the university, you cannot apply through the embassy. If your embassy application is rejected, you may still apply through the university.
3. How does the two-step process for the MEXT Scholarship work?
The MEXT Scholarship process consists of two steps:
4. What is the GPA requirement for the MEXT Scholarship?
The minimum GPA required for the MEXT Scholarship application via the embassy is 2.3 on a 3.0 scale.
GPA Calculation Formula:All students must maintain a GPA of 2.3 to keep their scholarship.
5. Is knowledge of Japanese required for the MEXT Scholarship?
While fluency in Japanese is not required, having a decent command of the language or showing a strong interest in learning it is beneficial.
6. Is a medical check required for the MEXT Scholarship application?
Yes, applicants must fill out a medical exam (shindansho) by their primary doctor during the application phase.
7. Can I apply for the MEXT Scholarship if my research interests are not related to Japan?
Yes, you can apply even if your research or interests are not related to Japan. However, you will need to justify why studying your subject in Japan is more beneficial than studying it in your home country or elsewhere.
8. What are my chances of earning the MEXT Scholarship?
The MEXT Scholarship process is competitive, and it is impossible to guarantee a scholarship for any given applicant. Success depends on the strength of your application and the applicant pool. MEXT does not publish the number of available scholarships.
9. Will I be notified when my application is received?
Notification of receipt is not guaranteed. Communication may vary depending on the consulate or university handling your application. Often, you will only be contacted about the results.
10. If I pass the first screening, does that mean I have received the scholarship?
No, passing the first screening does not guarantee that you have received the scholarship. The MEXT process involves a second screening by Tokyo. You will not know if you have been awarded the scholarship until you receive results from the second screening.
11. When will the final results of the MEXT Scholarship be released?
Final results are typically released before the end of the application year. Undergraduate scholars usually find out by December/January for a March departure, while graduate scholars are notified later, depending on their start date. Contact your consulate for specific timelines.
12. I applied directly to university, what next?
Read this fantastic post by u/yuiwin on the whole process.
13. I passed the interview and I started contacting professors, but I am not hearing any responses. What should I do?
July is the end of the spring semester/summer term and they are swamped with grading. August is summer break and all administration offices are closed -- not to mention that professors are busy grading and/or finalizing their schedules for the next school year. That being said, if you do not hear back from a professor, redirect ALL QUESTIONS to the graduate school or international office. They will contact the professor on your behalf.
Professors are not obligated to respond to people who are not their students.
14. I contacted a university and they told me I had to take an entrance exam. Why?
The MEXT Research Scholarship does not guarantee direct admission to a graduate school. Most schools will require you to take an entrance exam to be accepted into their graduate program. This information is located in the application guidelines. The Research Scholarship is, at first, a research auditor scholarship with opportunity to enroll into an institution's graduate program. Please read your school's MEXT policies for more information.
15. Does passing the interview mean I won the scholarship?
No. You officially earn the scholarship upon passing the second screening, which is formality done by the MEXT offices in Tokyo. That being said, the chances of rejection at this station is very low. Though it has happened and there has been some that have been rejected at the second screening, more likely than not, passing the interview is an unofficial sign of award.
16. When do I find out about my departure information?
That is handled by your consulate in conjunction with your university. Generally, you should get your departure information a month before you leave. At this point, your embassy will transition you to contact your university's international student department.
17. I didn't pass the interview. What now?
If you didn't get pass the interview, don't worry. There's many other avenues and paths to higher education in Japan. The MEXT scholarship, in particular, has the University recommended route. This method of applying is completely different from the Embassy recommendation and specific to each school. Search up MEXT Scholarship + School's Name to find out how and where to apply.
JASSO, the Japan Student Services Organization, also offers a range of scholarships for foreign students. Refer to the Study in Japan website for other scholarship opportunities. Many large companies and banks have scholarship opportunities as well for specific fields, especially in STEM.
or you can check this Post.
18. Is language proficiency mandatory for the MEXT Scholarship?
Language proficiency is not mandatory for the MEXT Scholarship, but it is beneficial. For most scholarships, Japanese language proficiency is not required, but demonstrating an interest in learning Japanese is helpful. Some programs may require language tests like JLPT, TOEFL, or IELTS, depending on the medium of instruction and specific program requirements.
19. I have an undergraduate degree but still within the age qualification, am I still eligible to apply to the Undergraduate, College of Technology or Specialized Training Programs?
Yes, applicants may apply to the program of interest even if they have already obtained an undergraduate degree. However, the applicant can only apply for one category.
20. I am an incoming grade 12 this school year and the possible graduation is in March 2024. Am I eligible to apply?
Those who will be able to finish 12 years of schooling on or before March 2025 can apply. In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between April 1, 2025 and April 7, 2025. * Aspiring applicants for the Undergraduate or Specialized Training categories who will graduate after March 2025 are advised to apply in the next application process (i.e. 2026 program).
21. To whom shall we ask for the recommendation letters? Is there a format for it?
Details on recommendation letters are found in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section of the guidelines.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-9; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-7; College of Technology: page 6-8]
[Teacher Training: pages 6-7; Japanese Studies: pages 6-7]
22. Do we need to take an English proficiency test as the forms have fields requesting for English proficiency scores?
In lieu of an English proficiency test, applicants may submit a certificate of English as medium of instruction from their school. This will be accepted as a certificate of language proficiency, listed in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section in the guidelines.
For the 2024 applications for the Teacher Training and Japanese Studies categories, proof of English proficiency is not anymore required.
23.Do I still need to prepare the number of copies required for each document even if not all documents are original?
Yes, the applicant must follow the number of copies for each document stated in the guidelines. For example, if the list asks for 1 original and 1 copy and the applicant is unable to give the original, 2 copies (i.e., 1 certified true copy and 1 photocopy) must be submitted. Certified true copies will be accepted in lieu of originals.
For the 2024 applications for the Teacher Training and Japanese Studies categories, proof of English proficiency is not anymore required.
24. I've never studied Japanese before. Do I still have to take a Japanese test?
Yes, While you do need to take a Japanese test, for most programs you do not need to attain a specific score in order to continue with the application. Neither is this a pass/fail test. However, there are certain fields or programs where a Japanese language proficiency of a certain level is required, and for these you would need to score the respective level on the test.
25. Can you advise how I can prepare my application in order to be successful?
Read this fantastic post on the whole process.
26. Can you provide a timeline or flowchart of the entire MEXT Scholarship application process, from applying to arriving in Japan?
Submission of documents to Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
Announcement of candidates selected for the written exam.
Conducting of language and subject exams (varies by country).
Notification of candidates who passed the written exams.
Interviews conducted at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
Embassy sends the final list of recommended candidates to MEXT in Japan.
MEXT reviews applications and makes the final selection.
MEXT assigns universities to successful candidates.
Visa application and pre-departure orientation.
Arrival in Japan for language courses or direct university enrollment.
27. Is it okay to write my Letter of Recommendation (LOR) by myself and ask the teacher to sign it?
it's up to you, but I won't recommend that to write LOR by yourself.
LOR can be done by Class teacher or principal (if are you currently in studying Highschool or if are you applying Bachelors or Diploma Courses such as UG, CoT or STC) now you may face some problem if the principal don't know much about you, so in that case he's unable to write strong LOR for you so in such situation simply ask your principal or class teacher to write LOR, also carry a *page that includes what quality or achievements of yours should be written in LOR it can be done verbally if the teacher is ok with that.
*page: I attended a link of an PDF file, you just need to fill this pdf form through any app (for ex. MS. Word) also attach one more page, in this page write down your all the qualities or achievements. so that Teacher can write a strong LOR for you.
that's the most effective way.
it's clearly mentioned in Guidelines if you found out to be cheating with Japanese Govt. (or MEXT) you will be disqualified and banned for this scholarship permanently.
it will couse so much trouble for you so always be Honest with MEXT.
28. Am I eligible to apply for undergraduate or CoT courses in Japan if I am 17 years old?
Yes, applicants can apply for undergraduate and CoT courses at 17. However, according to the official guidelines, you must be at least 18 years old before enrolling in the university. For language school enrollment, there is no specific age limit, so you don't need to worry about that. Also, do check your country's Japan embassy website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
29. Do extracurricular activities help in the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship application, and where should I include them?
Extracurricular activities are not mandatory for the MEXT scholarship, so if you don’t have certificates for them, it won’t negatively impact your application. However, if you do have extracurricular activities, you can either attach the certificates with your application or ask your teacher to include them in your Letter of Recommendation (LOR).
30. Are only 11th and 12th-grade (3rd and 4th year of highschool) transcripts required for the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship?
MEXT generally asks for all your high school transcripts, including marks from 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. While the focus is often on your most recent years (11th and 12th), you should still provide all high school transcripts as requested by the embassy. Be sure to check your country’s Japanese embassy website for the most accurate and specific details.
31. If I'm selected for the MEXT scholarship but my 12th-grade (CBSE) board results come in mid-May, will my scholarship be canceled, or can I submit the result later while in Japan?
Don’t worry, MEXT will give you enough time to submit your 12th-grade marksheet. Basically, they will provide an appropriate time frame for you to submit your results.
# What to Do if You Don’t Receive the MEXT Scholarship
Maybe you’re afraid of applying for the MEXT Scholarship and failing. Maybe you’ve received a letter telling you that you, unfortunately, don’t qualify.
Don’t fret. Students apply for scholarships of all sorts and don’t qualify for them on a daily basis. Sometimes it isn’t meant to be and you could look into other scholarship opportunities. Sometimes it isn’t meant to be right now and you can always apply for the MEXT Scholarship next year.
You can check other study opportunities in Japan on this page.You can join the Study in Japan WhatsApp and Telegram channels or Instagram page for study opportunities in Japan.
This page will be updated regularly as you submit your questions or doubts in the comment section below.