Financial Support for Graduate Students
Our university offers various forms of financial support for graduate students, as outlined below. ( )
Newly Expanded Support Programs Starting in Fiscal Year 2022 and Beyond
Waiver of Admission Fees
Starting in the 2023 academic year, admission fees will be waived for all incoming doctoral students.
Tuition Waiver (for Students with Outstanding Academic Achievement)
Starting in the 2022 academic year, one student per major and academic year (two students per academic year for the Science and Engineering, Agricultural, Forestry, and Marine Sciences, and Medical majors) in the Master’s Program*, Professional Degree Program, and Doctoral Program who demonstrate outstanding academic performance will be exempt from tuition fees.
*Excluding the Tosa Sakigake Program (Green Science Human Resources Development Course).
Academic Incentive Grant
Starting in the 2022 academic year, a grant of up to 100,000 yen per person will be awarded to students with "outstanding academic and other achievements."
(Excludes final-year students; the amount awarded is subject to budget availability).
In addition, regarding our existing financial support programs
Exemption from Admission Fees (Students Facing Financial Hardship)
[Graduate School (Master’s Programs and Professional Degree Programs)]
This program is intended for students who face financial difficulties in paying tuition and who are recognized as academically outstanding. If they meet the university’s specific financial and academic criteria, their admission fees will be waived within the limits of available funding.
Tuition Waiver (for Students Facing Financial Hardship)
[Graduate School]
This program is intended for students who face financial difficulties in paying tuition and are recognized for academic excellence. If they meet the university’s specific financial and academic criteria, tuition will be waived within the limits of available funding.
Scholarships
・The main type of graduate school scholarship is the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) loan-based scholarship.
・In addition to scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), there are scholarships offered by companies, local governments, and other organizations. The application periods and eligibility requirements for these scholarship programs vary by the offering organization. As soon as we receive information about new applications, we will post it on KULAS > Announcements > under the "Scholarships" category.
・In addition, there are various scholarships specifically for international students.
Kochi University Research Recognition Program (Graduate Student Research Encouragement Award)
Through an open call for applications, the President recognizes graduate students enrolled at this university or those enrolled in the Joint Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences at Ehime University who are conducting research under the primary supervision of a faculty member affiliated with Kochi University, and who have carried out original and distinctive research. The university provides a research grant of 50,000 to 100,000 yen per recipient.
Click here to view the research topics of award recipients from fiscal year 2018 onward.
Kochi University Project to Revitalize Education and Research (Support for Promoting the Dissemination of Research Findings)
Through an open call for applications, we provide grants to young researchers and graduate students to cover expenses related to the dissemination of research findings (such as travel and registration fees for conference presentations [excluding expenses related to conference presentations or research presentations conducted by graduate students overseas], as well as submission fees, publication fees, translation fees, proofreading fees, and reprint costs associated with journal articles).
Teaching Assistant Program
This is a program that provides stipends to outstanding graduate students who assist with educational support tasks under the supervision of faculty members. The program aims to facilitate personalized guidance in both undergraduate and graduate education and to provide graduate students with training opportunities to prepare them for future careers as faculty members or researchers.
Research Assistant Program
This program provides stipends to outstanding doctoral students at the University to enable them to participate as research assistants in the University’s research projects and other initiatives. The program aims to enhance and strengthen the research support system to further advance academic research, as well as to promote the training and retention of young researchers, thereby facilitating the effective advancement of research activities, strengthening the research infrastructure, and fostering the research capabilities of these students as future researchers.
If you wish to take a long-term course due to circumstances such as being employed
This program allows graduate students who face financial hardship due to exceeding the standard period of study to pay the total amount due over two years in installments, provided they follow a structured course of study within the approved timeframe. Additionally, this program accommodates sudden changes in circumstances after enrollment (such as employment or relocation), and depending on the circumstances, adjustments to the extended study period (shortening or further extension) may be permitted.