Scholarships

The following scholarships are only available to students who have been accepted for a JCMU program who meet the eligibility requirements. Eligibility varies by program and students may be asked to complete additional steps to apply.

JBSD Foundation Scholarships

• Eligible Program(s): Semester Language and Culture (Fall, Spring, and Academic Year terms)
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a degree-seeking student at a JCMU Consortium School with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Awards:
• Academic Year: Two awards of $4,000 each
• Fall Semester: Two awards of $2,500 each
• Spring Semester: Two awards of $2,500 each
• How to Apply: A questionnaire and signature document are deployed through the JCMU Application Portal to all students who are eligible at the time of application. A deadline is indicated for each material in the Application Portal.
• Notes: JBSD Foundation Scholarships are typically applied as a deduction to the student's JCMU fees before being billed by the student's home institution.

Melville Memorial Scholarship

• Eligible Program(s): JCMU Summer or May term programs
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a degree-seeking student at a JCMU Consortium School. 
• Awards: Vary by year; typically multiple awards of $500 to $1000 each
• How to Apply: Instructions and materials will be sent to all students who are eligible once they have been accepted for and have committed to an eligible JCMU program.
• Notes: Melville Memorial Scholarships are typically applied as a deduction to the student's JCMU fees before being billed by the student's home institution.

JCMU Returnee Scholarships

Students who have successfully completed a JCMU program who return for a different program are granted an automatic returnee scholarship. Returnee scholarships are available for all returnee students regardless of their current home institution.

• Eligible Program(s): All JCMU Programs
• Eligibility Requirements: Must have already successfully completed a JCMU program before being admitted to another JCMU program.
• Awards: Vary by the length of the program to which the scholarship is applied-
• 9 weeks or more in length (Semester Language & Culture and Summer Intensive Japanese): $1,000
• 4 weeks up to 9 weeks in length (Teaching English in Japan and Health and Culture in Japan): $500
• 2 weeks up to 4 weeks in length (May Short Programs): $100
• Notes: Returnee scholarships are applied as a deduction to the student's JCMU fees before being billed by the student's home institution. The fall and spring semester of a given academic year are considered part of the same program, so fall semester students who decide to stay for the consecutive spring semester do not receive a JCMU Returnee Scholarship for the spring semester.

The scholarships listed below are administered by entities outside of JCMU. These scholarships have varying eligibility requirements and deadlines. Many of these scholarships can be layered, so that a single applicant may receive multiple scholarships to support their study abroad experience.

• Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
• David L. Boren Scholarship & Fellowship Programs
• U.S. – Japan Bridging Foundation Scholarship
• Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship
• Harry S. Truman Scholarship
• Luce Scholarship & Fellowship Programs
• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship Programs
• Foundation for Global Scholars

Many colleges and universities offer their own scholarship and grant opportunities to students for study abroad. Contract your study abroad and financial aid advisors early on, so as to learn about funding opportunities well in advance of possible application deadlines or due dates.

Local community organizations, such as local foundations (including corporate foundations), international service clubs like your local Rotary International Club or Lions Club, faith-based organizations and community groups are another great way to learn about possible scholarship opportunities.