Are you an aspiring international student dreaming of pursuing your graduate studies in Japan? The Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidates might be your key to unlocking this opportunity. Designed for international students who are scheduled to enroll in the Graduate School at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), this prestigious scholarship offers financial support and a chance to study in one of Japan’s leading institutions.
APU Japan 2025 Spring Scholarship Benefits
The Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship offers a generous monthly stipend to cover living expenses:
- Master’s Students: 140,000 JPY per month for two years.
- Doctoral Students: 140,000 JPY per month for two years.
In addition, the scholarship covers economy air travel and related expenses, reimbursing up to 250,000 JPY after arrival in Japan.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Applicants must not hold Japanese nationality, including dual nationality holders.
- Visa Requirements: Applicants must obtain a student visa to enter Japan specifically for study purposes.
- Residence: Applicants must reside outside Japan until the start of their program.
- Prior Stay in Japan: Applicants must not have resided in Japan for more than 31 days in total, unless the stay was due to specific family circumstances or as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange high school program.
- Language Proficiency: Applicants must have Japanese language proficiency at least equivalent to JLPT N4 or above.
- Age: Applicants must be born after April 2, 1980.
- Previous Scholarship Holders: Applicants must not have previously been a Rotary Yoneyama Scholar.
Application and Selection Process
For students aiming to enroll in April 2025, the application process involves several steps:
- APU Application: Request consideration as a Rotary Yoneyama scholarship candidate when applying to APU through their Online Application System (https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/graduate/how_to_apply/external_scholarship/rotary_yoneyama/). Submit your application to APU by September 16, 2024.
- Scholarship Organization Application: Apply directly to the Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship organization around October 2024. Inform the organization that your Letter of Recommendation from APU will be issued after the application deadline.
- Letter of Recommendation: APU will provide a Letter of Recommendation to selected candidates after announcing the admissions results on November 13, 2024.
- Submission to Scholarship Organization: Submit the APU Letter of Recommendation to the Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship organization.