MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship 2025-2026 | Apply Now!

The MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship of Japan offers international students to study at specialized training colleges for up to three years, providing valuable skills and cultural experiences.

Learn what you need to apply

Qualifications:

To qualify for the MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship, international students need to meet certain requirements for specialized training in Japan.

1. Nationality
   • Must be from a country with diplomatic relations with Japan.
   • Not eligible if you have Japanese nationality, unless:
     • You have dual nationality,
     • You live outside Japan at the time of application,
     • You choose the non-Japanese nationality and agree to renounce Japanese nationality before arriving in Japan.
   • First screening must happen in the country of your chosen nationality.
2. Age
   • Must be born on or after April 2, 2001.
   • Must be at least 18 years old when entering the college (if under special academic qualification).
   • Exceptions for age limit are only considered for reasons like war or mandatory military service—not for personal reasons.
3. Academic Background
   Must meet one of the following:
   • Completed 12 years of schooling outside Japan.
   • Finished education at a school equivalent to a Japanese upper secondary school.
   • Passed a recognized academic qualification exam equivalent to 12 years of schooling.
   • Eligible for enrollment in a specialized training college at the time of application.
   • Note: Students graduating by March 2026 may apply.
4. Japanese Language
   • Must be willing to learn Japanese.
   • Education in Japan will be mainly in Japanese.
   • Must have a strong interest in Japan and be willing to engage in cultural exchange.
5. Health
   • Must be physically and mentally healthy, certified by a doctor using the prescribed health form.
6. Arrival in Japan
   • Must be able to arrive between April 1–7, 2026.
   • Late arrivals (without official approval) may result in withdrawal or loss of travel funding.
7. Visa Requirement
   • Must obtain a “Student” visa through a Japanese diplomatic mission.
   • Those already in Japan must change their status to “Student.”
   • Arriving without a proper student visa may cancel scholarship payments.

Who Cannot Apply (Non-Eligibility):

You are ineligible if you:

1. Are military personnel or military civilian employees.
2. Cannot arrive in Japan by the deadline.
3. Were previously awarded a MEXT scholarship (excluding the Honors Scholarship).
4. Are applying for another MEXT program at the same time.
5. Are enrolled (or plan to enroll) in a Japanese institution as a privately-financed student and cannot withdraw by the scholarship start.
6. Will receive another Japanese government-funded scholarship.
7. Cannot meet academic requirements by the given deadline.
8. Hold dual nationality and cannot renounce Japanese citizenship before arrival.
9. Plan to change visa/residency status from “Student” after arrival.
10. Intend to leave Japan for long-term research/internship or take long leaves during the program.
11. Are caught cheating in the application/examination process.

Other Important Notes:

• MEXT scholars are expected to:
  • Build mutual understanding between Japan and their home country.
  • Participate in school/community activities.
  • Stay in contact with the training college and the Japanese embassy even after returning home.

For more details, visit the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines’ MEXT Scholarship page or read the full official guidelines here (PDF).

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Benefits:

The MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship program offers financial support, including allowances for living expenses, education fees, and travel costs.

1. Monthly Allowance
Scholars will receive 117,000 yen per month. An additional 2,000 or 3,000 yen may be granted for those studying in designated regions. The amount may vary depending on the Japanese government’s annual budget. If a scholar is absent for an extended period, the allowance may be suspended.

2. Free Education Fees
Entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition fees at preparatory educational institutions and specialized training colleges are fully waived.

3. Travel Expenses

• Transportation to Japan: MEXT will provide an economy-class airline ticket from the international airport nearest to the scholar’s residence to an international airport in Japan. Travel-related expenses such as domestic transportation, airport taxes, travel insurance, and baggage fees will not be covered. In cases where travel through a third country is necessary (e.g., for visa processing or lack of direct flights), MEXT may provide a ticket through that route, but additional costs incurred in the third country will be at the scholar’s expense.
• Transportation from Japan: Upon completion of the scholarship period, MEXT will provide a return economy-class ticket from Japan to the nearest international airport in the scholar’s home country, provided the return occurs within the designated scholarship period. Returns made before the end of the scholarship due to personal reasons, or extended stays in Japan after the program, will not be covered.

For more details, visit the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines’ MEXT Scholarship page or read the full official guidelines here (PDF).

Requirements:

To apply for the MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship, applicants must provide documents that prove their academic qualifications to study in Japan.

1. Application Form
   • Fill out the official application form completely. Application Form
2. Academic Transcript(s)
   • Submit transcripts from all school years of your most recent school or university.
3. Certificate(s) of Graduation
   • Provide graduation certificates from your last school or university.
4. Recommendation Letter
   • Get a letter of recommendation from your class teacher or school principal. Recommendation Letter
5. Medical Certificate
   • Submit a medical certificate signed by a doctor. Medical Certificate
6. Certificate of Enrollment
   • If you’re still in school, include a certificate proving your current enrollment.
7. Certificate of University Enrollment
   • (If applicable) Provide proof that you are currently enrolled in a university.
8. Qualification Examination
   • If required, submit results or proof of any qualifying exam taken.
9. Certificate of Language Proficiency
   • Submit official proof of language skills (e.g., JLPT, TOEFL, or equivalent), if available or required.

For more details, visit the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines’ MEXT Scholarship page or read the full official guidelines here (PDF).

Field of Study:

Applicants must choose a preferred field of study and subjects according to the following steps for the MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship:

1. Choose a preferred field of study from the list below:
   • (A) Technology
   • (B) Personal Care and Nutrition
   • (C) Education and Welfare
   • (D) Business
   • (E) Fashion and Home Economics
   • (F) Culture and General Education
2. Choose subjects:
   • Select your preferred subject(s) from the “Name of Subjects” listed in the annex under your chosen field of study.
   • You can list a first and second choice of subjects from the same field.

Note:

• If you choose “Other Subjects” within any field, you must specify the subject and provide a reason for choosing it in the application form.
• If the subjects you specify are not listed in the annex or do not have accepting colleges, your application will be rejected, and you will be required to withdraw from the selection process.

For more details, visit the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines’ MEXT Scholarship page or read the full official guidelines here (PDF).

Application Deadline:

Here are the important dates for the MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship.

Deadline: May 23, 2025 (Friday)

Scholarship Period

• The scholarship will run for three years, from April 2026 to March 2029.
  This includes one year of preparatory education in Japanese language and other subjects.
• Extension:
  If the student graduates from a specialized training college and gets accepted as a third-year transfer student in a Japanese national university, they may apply for a scholarship extension.
  Note: This is only for national universities. Students entering public or private universities are not eligible for the extension.

For more details, visit the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines’ MEXT Scholarship page or read the full official guidelines here (PDF).

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Application Process:

To apply for the MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship, follow these easy step-by-step instructions.

How to Apply:

• Contact the Japanese Embassy/Consulate: Obtain application forms and key details about the scholarship.
• Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary documents, including the application form, academic transcripts, diplomas, and recommendation letters.
• Submit Your Application: Complete and submit the documents before the deadline.
• Wait for Selection Results: Await notifications about the results and next steps.
• Prepare for Departure: If selected, follow MEXT’s instructions for travel and study arrangements in Japan.

Selection Process

1. First Screening:
   • Conducted by Japanese diplomatic missions through the examination of application documents, written exams, and interviews.
   • Written Academic Examinations include:
     • Japanese
     • English
     • Mathematics
   • No calculators or other devices are allowed during the exams.
2. Notification of Results:
   • The date and time for notifying the results of the First Screening will be provided separately by the Japanese diplomatic mission.
   • The reasons for the results will not be disclosed. Passing the First Screening does not guarantee selection as a MEXT Scholarship Student.
3. Second Screening:
   • Applicants who pass the First Screening will be recommended to MEXT.
   • MEXT will conduct the Second Screening and select the scholarship recipients from the recommended applicants, based on their chosen field of study.
4. Final Selection Results:
   • Results will be announced by the Japanese diplomatic mission after January 2026.
   • The reasons for the results will not be disclosed, and objections regarding the selection of the specialized training college will not be accepted.

For more information about the application process, read here or visit the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines’ MEXT Scholarship webpage here.

Contact Information:

For inquiries about the 2025-2026 MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship, you can check the contact details here.

Final Thoughts:

The MEXT Specialized College Training Scholarship, offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, provides an exceptional opportunity to study Japanese language and culture for a year in Japan.

Don’t forget to explore other scholarships that may assist in funding your education, whether they are local, National, or international.

Check out the scholarship guides on this website for additional options.

Wishing you the best with your application!

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