New Higher Education Support System (Tuition Waivers + Grant Scholarships)
1 1. Overview
In April 2020, a new student support system for undergraduate students (excluding international students) was launched under the "Act on Support for Education at Universities and Other Institutions."
Students eligible for support under this system will receive tuition reductions and grants from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
To receive support under this system, you must first apply for and be accepted into the JASSO grant program. The amount of tuition reduction will be determined based on the support category of the grant you receive. (The amount of support is determined by the support category, which is based on household income and other factors.)
Waiver of Tuition and Other Fees for Large Families Starting in Fiscal Year 2025
The new higher education support system has been expanded, and students from large families (households with three or more dependent children) will have their admission fees and tuition waived without any income restrictions.
Students who are not currently recipients of grant-based scholarships must apply for the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) grant-based scholarship in order to receive this tuition-free support for large families, even if their household income exceeds the eligibility criteria for the grant-based scholarship. (JASSO will determine whether the household meets the criteria for a large family using My Number.)
*For details, .
Overview of the System
Link to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “Special Website” (Supporting Your Desire to Learn)
JASSO Special Website
Link to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) "Special Website"
2 . Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for this support applies to individuals who meet all of the following criteria I through III. Graduate students and self-funded international students are not eligible for this support.
(Note 1) Foreign nationals are eligible for this support only if they meet the criteria outlined in " III. Other Criteria," "(2) Criteria Regarding Residence Status, etc. (For Non-Japanese Nationals)" below.
I. Household Criteria (Income Criteria and Asset Criteria)
(1) Income Criteria
*There are no income criteria for students from large families who are eligible only for tuition and fee reductions.
Must fall under one of the following support categories (Categories I through IV)
- [Category I] The applicant and the person responsible for their financial support (generally the parents; the same applies hereinafter) are exempt from the municipal income tax (Note 1)
- [Category II] The total of the benefit calculation base amount (Note 2) for the applicant and the primary breadwinner is 100 yen or more but less than 25,600 yen
- [Category III] The total of the standard benefit amount for the applicant and the primary breadwinner is 25,600 yen or more but less than 51,300 yen
- [Category IV] The total of the applicant’s and the primary breadwinner’s standard benefit calculation amounts is 51,300 yen or more but less than 154,500 yen (Note 3)
(※1) If you are eligible for tax credits such as the Hometown Tax Donation or mortgage interest deductions, you may not fall under any of the categories listed.
(※2) Calculation basis for benefit amount ★1 = Taxable base amount × 6% – (Adjustment deduction amount + Adjustment amount) ★2 (rounded down to the nearest 100 yen)
(※3) This applies to households with an annual income of approximately 6 million yen or less, where the head of household supports three or more children (including the applicant).
★1 For individuals exempt from the municipal income tax portion of the municipal tax, the base amount for calculating the benefit will be 0 yen, regardless of this formula, except in the case described in (※1).
★2 If you pay municipal tax to a government-designated city, the amount will be calculated by multiplying (adjustment deduction + adjustment amount) by 3/4.
*You can check whether you are eligible for this program on the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) website.
You can estimate the amount you will receive, so be sure to check with your family before applying.
(2) Asset-based
If the total value of your assets exceeds the threshold listed below, you will not be eligible for assistance.
The total value of assets held by the applicant and their primary financial supporter (generally the parents) must be less than 50 million yen.
*Note: For families with multiple children, even if your total assets exceed 50 million yen but are less than 300 million yen, you will not be eligible for grant-based scholarships; however, you may still receive support for tuition-free education.
*Note: Eligible assets are defined as follows; real estate such as land and buildings is not included. Additionally, liabilities such as mortgages cannot be offset against these assets.
- Cash and cash equivalents (mutual funds, gold, silver, and other assets held for investment purposes)
- Deposits (checking accounts, savings accounts, etc.) and securities (stocks, government bonds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, etc.)
II. Academic Standards
(Students in their second year or higher) *Including transfer students
Academic performance must meet one of the following criteria.
A. The applicant’s GPA (grade point average) must be within the top half of the student body in their current department or program.
B. The applicant must have earned at least the standard number of credits, and their study plan must demonstrate their motivation to pursue their studies with the goal of becoming independent and contributing to society in the future.
(“Standard number of credits” = (Total credits required for graduation ÷ Standard duration of study) × Number of years the applicant has been enrolled)
(Undergraduate students)
You must meet one of the following criteria.
A. The applicant’s grade point average (GPA) at high school or equivalent must be 3.5 or higher, or the applicant’s score on the entrance examination must place them within the top half of all admitted students.
B. The applicant must have passed the High School Equivalency Examination.
C. The applicant’s study plan or other documentation must demonstrate a strong motivation to study with the goal of becoming independent and contributing to society in the future.
III.Other criteria
(1) Criteria Regarding the Timing of University Admission
For details, see "Requirements Regarding the Period Between High School Graduation and Application"()Please refer to the following.
(2) Criteria for Status of Residence, etc. (For Non-Japanese Nationals)
Foreign nationals are eligible for support only if they meet any one of the following criteria (1) through (4).
① Statutory Special Permanent Residents
② Individuals with the status of residence "Permanent Resident," "Spouse, etc. of a Japanese National," or "Spouse, etc. of a Permanent Resident"
③ Individuals with the status of residence "Long-term Resident" who intend to reside permanently in Japan
④ Individuals with the status of residence "Dependent" who have graduated (or completed) from an elementary school, junior high school, or high school in Japan, or who have
Individuals who entered Japan before reaching the age of graduation from school and have graduated from a Japanese junior high school or high school, and who intend to settle in Japan and work
3. Application Period
You must submit a new application for both tuition and fee waivers and Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) scholarships.
1. Hiring through a reserved quota
If you applied for the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Grant-in-Aid Scholarship while in high school and have been selected as a candidate, please refer to the "Admission Guide" sent to successful applicants by the university for further details.
2. On-campus recruitment
First Round (Spring): Early April
Second Round (Fall): Early September
*Detailed information regarding application periods and procedures will be posted on KULAS (the online student support system for Kochi University students) and other platforms once notifications are received from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
*Students selected for grant-based scholarships must submit the JASSO "Enrollment Report" in April (not required for the first year of the scholarship).
4. Decision Date and Notification Method
1. Tuition and Fee Waivers
① Decision Date
Late July of the first semester (tentative)
Mid-January of the second semester (tentative)
② Notification Method
KULAS will notify applicants.
*For new students who are also being notified of the results of their application for a waiver of the admission fee, notification will be sent by mail.
2. About the Japan Student Services Organization Grant-in-Aid for Students
① Selection Timeline
First Round (Spring): Around July
Second Round (Fall): Around December
② Notification of Results
Successful applicants will receive their scholarship payments. Payments are generally made on the 11th of each month (except for April, when payment is made on the 21st, and May, when payment is made on the 16th). Once the scholarship funds have been deposited, the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) will send the official acceptance documents to the university. KULAS will notify applicants as soon as these documents are received.
5. Payment Methods for Tuition and Other Fees for Students Whose Applications Have Been Denied
If you have been granted a partial exemption or your application has been denied,Within 21 days from the date of the notification of the decisionYou must pay the specified amount. Please confirm the payment method and promptly pay any tuition fees and other charges that have not been waived.
6. Submission and Inquiries
Asakura Campus
Academic Affairs Division, Student Support Section, Financial Aid Unit
2-5-1 Akebono-cho, Kochi City, 780-8520
(Tuition and Fees Waivers) TEL: 088-844-8146
(Scholarships) TEL: 088-844-8565,088-844-8095
FAX: 088-840-4134
Oko Campus
Student Affairs Office, Student Support Section (Tuition Waivers and Scholarships)
783-8505 Koren, Okayutaka-cho, Nankoku City
TEL: 088-880-2268 FAX: 088-880-2264
Monobe Campus
Monobe General Affairs Division, Academic Affairs Office, Student Support Section (Tuition Waivers and Scholarships)
200 Monobe-Otsu, Nankoku City, 783-8502
TEL: 088-864-5116 FAX: 088-864-5200