Did you know that Waseda University's own internal Scholarship are all "benefits" that do not require repayment? There are approximately 150 types of scholarships, and many of them can be applied for after enrollment. There are also private Scholarship available, and many of them can be used in conjunction with on-campus Scholarship. The "Spring Scholarship Registration (Undergraduate)" required for Scholarship applications will start from February 2024. This time, we spoke to Waseda School of International Liberal Studies who decided to apply to reduce the burden on their family finances, as well as students from the Faculty School of Fundamental Science and Engineering and Engineering, graduate students, and international students. We also asked staff in Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section about important points to consider when applying. Please take a look at the application process and what campus life will be like after receiving Scholarship.
The career path opened by Scholarship am taking on the challenge of studying, working student club, and doing what I want to do without hesitation.
Yuha Ikeuchi, 2nd year School of International Liberal Studies
Currently studying abroad at Northeastern University in the United States
Scholarship currently being received
| On-campus Scholarship | Azusa Ono Memorial Scholarship | Target students are 1st to 4th year students from all faculties and graduate students. The purpose is to assist students who are facing financial difficulties while studying. 400,000 yen per year. |
| On-campus Scholarship | Hidetaka Kusumoto Scholarship | Target students are 1st to 4th year students from all faculties. Selection will be based on academic performance, family financial situation, and comprehensive evaluation of character. 400,000 yen per year. |
--Please tell us why you applied Scholarship.
Just when I was taking entrance exams for my third year of high school, my father was injured and had to quit his job. Originally, I wanted to go to Waseda University, but there was a time when I worried that going to a private university would put a financial burden on my family because I was from a rural area. However, after doing some research, I realized that Waseda University has a great selection of intramural Scholarship that do not require repayment, and I realized that if I could receive one, I might be able to get it cheaper than at the national university. From there, I persuaded my parents that I could get Scholarship and go to university without any burden, so I applied to Waseda.
--Was the application process difficult?
I didn't find it particularly difficult. If I had to pick one thing, I would have to ask my parents, who live far away, to send me their income certificates and tax withholding slips. It takes time to gather these documents, and you cannot proceed based on your own convenience. I think it's important to prepare well in advance. Other procedures that you can complete on your own are detailed in a booklet called "Scholarship Information Challenge'' published by Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section, so it wasn't difficult as long as you read it carefully and proceed with the process.
--What process did you go through to decide on hiring? Please tell us the process from application.
If you apply for "Spring Scholarship Registration (Undergraduate)" every February and are selected for one of Scholarship, you will receive a notification via Waseda email. The general process was to submit the necessary documents accordingly.
In the case of the Ono Azusa Memorial Scholarship, all I had to do was register for February, check the notification from the university on MyWaseda, and wait for the payment. I thought there would be a more complicated process like sending documents and having an interview, but it turned out to be a very simple process.
Regarding the Hidetaka Kusumoto Scholarship, I received a message from School of International Liberal Studies office saying, "You are eligible for the Kusumoto Scholarship," and submitted the required documents. The content of the document was to write about what you are focusing on in your student life, such as "What do you want to work hard on in the future? What things have you devoted yourself to so far?" In total, I receive a total of 800,000 yen per year in Scholarship that do not require full repayment, including two on-campus Scholarship.
――Please tell us your impressions after receiving the scholarship and a message for other students.
Of course, I was relieved that I didn't have to burden my parents with tuition fees, but other than that, I am also extremely grateful to be able to lead a blessed student life. Since entering the university, I have been able to actively participate in Extracurricular activity, such as joining a jazz dance student club that I had always wanted to try, and belonging to a student organization that focuses on food and the environment. If I hadn't received Scholarship, I might have been busy working part-time and not been able to devote myself to classes and student club activities as much as I wanted.
Currently, I am studying abroad at Northeastern University in Boston, receiving Scholarship from Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) 's Study Abroad Support System. It was because I received Scholarship that I was able to pursue the challenges I wanted to take on without hesitation, gain a variety of experiences, and build diverse relationships with others. Please give Scholarship a try, which will give you a chance to expand your world!
Left photo: Jazz dance student club Oasis” (official student club) welcome performance
Photo on the right: Food education activities held at elementary schools as part of the activities of SoleiL, a student group that thinks about food and the environment.
About Scholarship registration (undergraduate students)
At Waseda University, all applicants for Scholarship must complete "Scholarship registration" (= online application and submission of required documents) within a specified period. From among the students registered Scholarship Scholarship the students most suited to each organization's purpose and application qualifications will be selected and recommended. However, if there is a sudden change in the household finances, such as death of a financial supporter, loss of job, damage due to a disaster, etc., registration may be approved on a case-by-case basis, so please consult with Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section.
The 2024 edition of the “Scholarship Information Challenge” is being distributed at each Faculty office and can be downloaded from Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section website.
Click here for 2024 Scholarship registration
A wide variety of Scholarship at Waseda University! Introduced with one-point advice from Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section staff
This time, we will introduce Scholarship cases for graduate students and international students in addition to undergraduate students, as well as comments from Keiji Ota, an employee of Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section Student Affairs Division. Please feel free to use it as a reference.
[Undergraduate student] The procedure for receiving an internal Scholarship that does not require repayment was easy.
Hiroyasu Fujishima, 4th year, School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
Receiving Scholarship
[On-campus] Kimie Teruda Graduate School Entrance Support Scholarship
[Off-campus] Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Scholarship Foundation
[Off-campus] Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Benefit type Scholarship
After entering the university, I read the "Scholarship Information Challenge'' and learned that Waseda University has a wealth of on-campus Scholarship. I registered for Scholarship because my parents' income met the Scholarship threshold. In the first year, I had a hard time preparing documents related to my parents' occupations and income, but other than that, the other tasks I was doing on my own weren't particularly difficult. Even after applying, I had the impression that everything from being accepted to receiving Scholarship went very smoothly. Thanks to Scholarship, I was able to attend a preparatory school to obtain the patent attorney qualification that I was interested in. I would definitely recommend Scholarship as they allow you to take on challenges to improve your skills.
Keiji Ota, Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section Student Affairs Division Affairs Division
When registering for Scholarship applications on the website, with the exception of some private organization Scholarship, there is no need to select the desired Scholarship individually; you can apply all at once. After registration, the university will consider your eligibility and suitability and recommend you for each Scholarship. This Scholarship system, unique to Waseda, is highly valued by students who receive Scholarship. Please take advantage of it.
[Graduate students] Scholarship are valuable support for achieving your future goals.
Bui Thi Hoang Yen, 2nd year master's program, Graduate Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering
Scholarship currently being received
[Internal] Graduate Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Master's Program Scholarship
[On campus] Masateru Kimura Scholarship
[On campus] Tuition fee reduction/exemption Scholarship for privately financed international students
[Off-campus] Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Memorial Foundation
Applying for Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Master's Program Scholarship was easier than I expected. After receiving instructions via Waseda email from Academic and Student Affairs Section, I submitted my undergraduate transcripts, the reason for applying for Scholarship, and my commitment to my field of study in English online. After applying, just wait for the results. It was a very smooth and stress-free process. I dream of working as a cancer research scientist in the future, and I was able to create an environment where I could concentrate on my studies by using Scholarship to purchase things necessary for my research.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section Ota
Registration methods and deadlines for Scholarship applications for graduate students differ depending on each graduate school, so please be sure to check the "Scholarship Information Challenge for Graduate Students" scheduled to be distributed at each graduate school office in early February 2024. . Students who are currently enrolled in Waseda's undergraduate program and will be entering Waseda's graduate school from April 2024 will need to register for Scholarship as new students, not as an undergraduate student. Please note that Scholarship registration for graduate students is only available in the spring.
[International students] Scholarship are also linked to motivation to study
Dan Yixuan, 1st year School of Political Science and Economics
Scholarship currently being received
[On campus] Tuition fee reduction/exemption Scholarship for privately financed international students
[Off-campus] Study incentive fee for privately financed international students
When it was decided that I would receive an on-campus Scholarship, not only myself, but also my parents and friends were very happy. Scholarship has eased my financial worries and allowed me to focus more on my classes. I started to feel more responsible for my own grades, and I started looking for materials on my own and digging deeper into the content of the classes. I believe that Scholarship gave me the motivation to study now. I would like them to know that Waseda has a wide variety of Scholarship systems in place for international students, and to make active use of them to make their time abroad even more meaningful.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance Section Ota
Almost all Scholarship for international students are in the form of grants. Since no repayment is required, I think that if you are selected for Scholarship, you will be able to pursue your studies with greater peace of mind. On the other hand, please note that international students whose Guardian or guardians are living overseas cannot apply for things that require repayment, such as student loans, which are used to support students when they suddenly need money.
[Next Focus Preview] “Student Job Roundtable Special” to be released on Monday, January 15th
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