Scholarships to Apply for Before Entering Undergraduate Programs

These scholarship are to be applied for prior to enrollment at Sophia University. The application period and types of scholarships available may differ depending on the type of entrance examination. Please see Web Piloti “Scholarships that Students May Apply For Before Entering Sophia University” page for the latest information and details on specific procedures.

Sophia University New Student Scholarships

Sophia University New Student Scholarships are intended to contribute to human resource development by supporting students experiencing financial hardship.

Awarded to

Those who consider our university as their first choice and find it difficult to study here due to financial problems despite having outstanding grades.

Be sure to apply for the scholarship at the same time as applying to take the entrance examinations.

Scholarship Amount

The grant varies from one-third to the full amount of tuition fees for the first year of study.

Application Period

The application period varies depending on the type of entrance examination to be taken. Generally, the application period for the scholarship is the same as the application period for the entrance examinations. However, this may not apply to some entrance examinations.

Applicants who take more than one type of entrance examination must submit a separate application for a Sophia University New Student Scholarship for each entrance examination.

Selection Criteria

Selections will be based on a general evaluation that includes grades and financial situation.

Number of Grant Recipients

77 (FY2021)

Scholarship for Admission by Recommendation from Catholic High Schools

Applicants who take an examination of admission by recommendation from Catholic high schools and meet the eligibility requirements below may apply (concurrently) for the scholarship at the same time as a Sophia University New Student Scholarship. Only one of the two will be granted.

Awarded to
  • Those who consider our university as their first choice and find it difficult to study here due to financial problems despite having outstanding grades.
  • Those who fully embrace the University’s founding principles and educational policies, and who will be able to play an active role as a communicator of those principles in the future.
Scholarship Amount

The full amount of tuition fees for the first year of study.

Benefit Period
  • Granted for the required residence term (there are ongoing examinations).
  • The amount of scholarship awarded after the second year is determined by ongoing examinations.

Sophia University Benefactors’ Scholarships (Sophia University Alumni Association)

Those who meet the eligibility requirements below may apply (concurrently) for a Benefactors’ scholarship at the same time as a Sophia University New Student Scholarship. These scholarships were established in 2020 with a donation from Sophia-kai (the Sophia University Alumni Association) to further open doors for motivated applicants from far away and to help support their daily lives.

Awarded to

Students whose first choice of university is Sophia and take an exam of “Admission by recommendation,” but who would find it difficult to study here due to financial hardship and have outstanding grades at their school of origin, and who are from high schools in Japan other than the metropolitan area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba) and who plan to live away from home.

*Please read the application guidelines carefully as eligibility requirements are detailed.

Scholarship Amount

500,000 yen (lump sum/year)

Benefit Period
  • Granted for the required residence term (there are ongoing examinations).
  • The amount of scholarship awarded after the second year is determined by ongoing examinations.

John Nissel Cup Scholarships

ジョン・ニッセル杯

The John Nissel Cup, a national English speech contest for high school students hosted by Sophia University, has been held annually since 2011. It aims to help high school students improve their English skills by giving them an opportunity to present their thoughts in English in a public forum.

The top finishers of the John Nissel Cup will receive a four-year scholarship based on their placement.

Awarded to

Students who passed the entrance exams for Sophia University, and who were the Champion to 6th place in the John Nissel Cup when they were at their previous school.

Scholarship Amount

Champion: Full tuition
2nd, 3rd: Half tuition
4th, 5th, 6th: One-third tuition

Benefit Period

Granted for the required residence term (there are ongoing examinations).

Study Support System for Higher Education by MEXT

Sophia University has been certified by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as an eligible university for the Study Support System for Higher Education, which started in 2020. For more information, please see the Study Support System for Higher Education page.

Sophia University

For Others, With Others