"I'm drawn to the education at international schools, but the tuition, nearly 3 million yen per year, is just too high..."
Many families face this "financial barrier" and give up on the idea of enrolling. But did you know that international schools in Japan also offer non-repayable 'scholarships' and 'merit-based awards'?
In particular, some recently opened British-style schools and boarding schools are offering generous packages, including 'full tuition waivers,' to attract exceptional students.
This article will explain the often-overlooked world of international school scholarships, provide examples of schools that offer them, and delve into the competitive reality you should understand before applying.
1. Understanding the Two Types of International School Scholarships
First, it's important to understand that there are two main types of scholarships at international schools. Confusing them could lead you to apply to schools for which you are not eligible.
① Merit-based
- For: Students with outstanding talent in academics, sports, or the arts.
- Features: Awarded based on ability alone, regardless of parental income. The school's goal is to attract exceptional students to boost university placement records and enhance its public reputation. This type is common among newly established schools.
② Need-based
- For: Families who meet the admission criteria but have financial difficulty paying the tuition.
- Features: The amount of aid is determined by the family's ability to pay, which is assessed through proof of income (such as tax certificates). This is the primary type of aid at more established, traditional schools and at UWC ISAK Japan.
2. Key International Schools with Scholarship and Merit Award Programs
Let's look at some of the main schools that have publicly announced their programs for the 2024-2025 academic year. *Please note that offerings can change annually, so always check the latest application guidelines.
[New & Boarding Schools] A Strong Focus on Merit-based Awards to Attract Top Talent
British-style schools that have opened in recent years are actively recruiting exceptional students (merit scholars).
- Harrow International School Appi Japan
- Program: Scholarships for Academic, Sports, and Arts.
- Award Amount: Typically a reduction of up to 30% of tuition fees, but in some cases, a full (100%) tuition waiver is available for exceptionally talented students entering Year 12.
- Requirements: Academic scholarships require top-level English proficiency and grades. Sports scholarships require achievements at the prefectural or national level.
- Rugby School Japan
- Program: Academic, Art, Sport, and All-Rounder scholarships for students in Years 7-12.
- Award Amount: A 10% reduction in tuition fees for Day students, plus a full waiver of the entrance fee and capital development fee.
- Note: Boarding fees are generally not covered (may be discussed separately).
- Malvern College Tokyo
- Program: Four categories: Academic, Music, Art, and Sport. Available for students in Year 5 and above.
- Award Amount: The specific percentage varies on a case-by-case basis, but a partial tuition reduction (typically 10-50%) is common.
[Full Boarding] UWC ISAK Japan: A School with an Exceptional Financial Aid Rate
- UWC ISAK Japan (Karuizawa)
- Type: Strictly need-based financial aid.
- Aid Details: Approximately 70% of the student body receives some form of financial aid. Among them are many students on full scholarships, which cover nearly 100% of costs, including tuition, room, board, and educational materials.
- Features: The system is designed so that families with lower incomes receive more significant aid, making it a rare school that students can apply to regardless of their family's financial situation.
[Tokyo Day Schools] IB Schools with Unique Merit Scholarship Programs
- Capital Tokyo International School (CTIS)
- Program: "Honors Student Scholarship" for Middle School (Grades 7-9).
- Award Amount: A full waiver of the entrance fee (¥220,000) plus the school covers approximately two-thirds of the annual tuition and fees (equivalent to about ¥2 million). The family's net contribution is around ¥1 million.
- Requirements: Proof of high scores on tests like the MAP test is required. There are no income restrictions.
- Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS)
- Program: Generous scholarships are available for the online high school program (Aoba Global Campus).
- Award Amount: The top-tier "Global Visionary Award" provides a 100% full tuition waiver for two years.
- Note: There are generally no merit-based scholarships for new students in the regular on-campus programs (Meguro and Hikarigaoka).
3. Requirements for Winning a Merit Scholarship
Winning a tuition waiver requires clearing a much higher bar than for general admission.
① Exceptional English Proficiency and Academic Ability
Being "pretty good at English" is not enough. Scholars are expected to perform at the top of their class from day one and serve as role models for other students. As a benchmark, you'll need objective evidence such as an Eiken Grade 1 certificate, a TOEFL iBT score near 100, or achievements in competitions like the Math Olympiad.
② Essays and Interviews that Demonstrate Your "Contribution to the School"
Schools don't waive tuition out of charity. They rigorously assess, "What benefit will the school gain by admitting this student?" In your interview and essays, it is crucial to have the presentation skills to logically articulate in English how your talents will contribute to the school's diversity and reputation.
③ Strict Maintenance Requirements
Scholarships are typically renewed annually. After enrolling, you must maintain a high standard, such as a GPA of 3.5 or above and exemplary conduct, or you constantly face the risk of the scholarship being discontinued (revoked) the following year.
4. The Risk of "Hidden Costs" to Know Before Applying
Before jumping at the phrase "full tuition waiver," you must confirm the "costs not covered by the scholarship." Overlooking these can lead to a situation where you are unable to pay after enrolling.
- Boarding and Meal Fees: For boarding schools, there are additional boarding fees of around ¥1.5 to ¥3 million per year on top of tuition. Many merit scholarship programs (like those at Harrow and Rugby) waive tuition but require families to cover boarding fees themselves.
- Entrance and Capital Fees: Initial costs ranging from several hundred thousand to over a million yen may not be covered by the scholarship.
- Other Expenses: Costs for uniforms, personal computers, school trips, and school bus services are also typically paid out-of-pocket.
In short, it's not a "free ride." It's realistic to estimate that you will still need to cover costs equivalent to, or even greater than, those of a Japanese private school. (*With exceptions like the full scholarships at UWC ISAK, which can cover boarding fees.)
Conclusion: Are Scholarships Only for "Chosen Geniuses"?
While international school scholarships are certainly competitive, they are not an impossible dream. Newly established schools, in particular, are eager to attract talented students, and a strategic application can open up opportunities.
If you feel that "my child has a special talent" or "their English ability is second to none," why not consider applying for a scholarship before settling for general admission?
For Scholarship Application Support, Turn to "ELT"
At ELT, we provide one-on-one support to help students prepare for the high-level "English essays" and "interviews" required for scholarship applications. We analyze each school's Admissions Policy to understand the student profile they are looking for, and work with you to build a strategy that best showcases your child's talents in English.
