What will I be spending my scholarship on?

SUMMARY

• There is usually no need to pay for anything related to studies/research
• Most of your scholarship will be used to cover your living expenses (food, rent, transportation, health insurance)
• Moving is very expensive in Japan and should be planned in advance

The MEXT scholarship

The MEXT scholarship pays for all your enrollment and tuition fees and provides you with a monthly allowance. While how much you will be spending is completely up to you, this article will inform you about what exactly you will (or will not) be paying for during your time as a MEXT scholar.

What the scholarship pays (or does not pay) for

In general, because your tuition is covered you do not have to spend on school per se and even get free access 24/7 to your very own working space in one of your department’s offices in case you are a graduate student. That being said, especially undergraduate students and below may need to spend money to get their own textbooks. Furthermore, if you study a field which requires expensive miscellaneous costs, the scholarship may not be enough to cover both these and school expenses - a clear example of this being scholars studying art given the materials needed.

A significant part of your scholarship will be used for rent and other living expenses. That being said, rent especially varies a lot based on where you live. Living in dormitories instead of renting by yourself is generally cheaper. If you are renting by yourself though, Tokyo (apartments are often more expensive than 60,000 Yen per month) is far more expensive than many other parts of Japan.

Another thing you will need to pay for is the national health insurance, that you are obliged to enroll in as an international student in Japan. It costs about 20,000 Yen per year depending on the region you live in and you can either pay the sum divided by 12 each month (around 2,500 Yen) or the whole sum at once.

Considerations on moving

Moving in Japan is significantly more expensive than in many other places, especially if it is your first time. Beyond the rent itself, you will be expected to pay several months in advance as deposit (敷金, shikikin), key money (礼金, reikin - non-refundable gift to the landlord), and agency fees. All these can easily come up to 4-6 months of rent upfront.

Furthermore, do not forget that you will need furniture (unless you are in a furnished dormitory) and other home appliances, which all add up. Plan your move in advance to avoid surprises!

These guide articles are meant to be advice based on the experience of current and previous scholars. Given how situations may change depending on the school, region or year etc., we urge any scholars to approach the relevant authorities in your school if you have any doubts or concerns.