Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

The following is a list of scholarship programs that undergraduate students can apply for after enrolling at Sophia University. All Sophia University scholarships are grant type, meaning there is no need to pay back after graduation. In addition, external scholarships are available in two types: grant type and loan type. For details, please refer to the “Scholarship Information” page on our Web Piloti website. Specific application procedures and qualifications for each scholarship are posted on the Loyola bulletin board, a web portal for Sophia students (ID and password are required).

Sophia University Tuition Support Scholarship

This scholarship exempts students who are eager to pursue academic learning but have difficulty continuing their studies because of financial reasons from paying the full tuition fee or part thereof.

Qualifications

Students who are eager to pursue academic learning but have difficulty continuing their studies because of financial reasons

Scholarship amount

An amount equivalent to either the full tuition fee or half or one-third thereof

Application

Applications will be accepted for the spring and autumn semesters, respectively.

Selection Criteria

Recipients are selected on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation of academic performance and household income (financial status). (Some students may be requested to undergo an interview.)

Number of Recipients

502 (AY 2021)

 

Sophia University Benefactors’ Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded by benefactors in Japan and overseas to students who meet the selection criteria set forth by respective benefactors. Various types of support are available, including those designated by the faculty or division and those that encourage students to play an active role in a specific field of study. This scholarship is either application-based or recommendation-based.

Number of Recipients

257 (AY 2021)

External Scholarships

Various types of external scholarships are available, including those from the Japanese government and the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). It is possible to apply for both the university’s scholarships and external scholarships (with some exceptions).

Sophia University is certified by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as an eligible university for the New Higher Education Support System, which started in AY 2020. Please refer to the page, “New Higher Education Support System, by the Japanese Government.”

This loan-type scholarship, provided by JASSO, is available to students who excel in academics but find it difficult to continue studies because of financial reasons. Recipients are required to repay the loan after graduation. This scholarship is available to students from overseas but not to Japanese students and Japanese students studying abroad.

Type I (no interest)

Commuting from home:  Choose from 20,000 yen, 30,000 yen, 40,000 yen, or 54,000 yen per month

Not commuting from home:  Choose from 20,000 yen, 30,000 yen, 40,000 yen, 50,000 yen, or 64,000 yen per month

Type II with interest

Maximum annual interest rate of 3%

These scholarships are offered by local governments and private organizations. Both grant-type and loan-type scholarships are available.

Undergraduate students may avail of government educational loans (Japan Finance Corporation) and educational loans from financial institutions affiliated with Sophia University. Please contact each institution directly for details.

Sophia University

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