Scholarships

In order to promote increased friendship and understanding between Japan and other countries around the world, the Japan Student Services Organization(JASSO) offers a number of scholarships each year as part of its "Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program (Inbound)" for which JOY students are eligible to apply.

JASSO will provide the following financial aid to qualified students:

1. Stipend: \80,000 per month for up to 12 months.
2. Travel expenses: An economy class round-trip air ticket between the international airports nearest to the student's home university (to be designated by the AIEJ) and to Yokohama National University.
3. Settling-in allowance: \25,000, to be paid once at the time of the student's arrival in Japan.

Students wishing to apply for an AIEJ scholarship must submit both the AIEJ and JOY application forms to Yokohama National University. For further information, please see the relevant pamphlets published by the AIEJ.

Tuition

Annual tuition for Yokohama National University during the 2004-2005 academic year is set at \520,800. Students attending for only one semester (six months) of coursework need pay only half this amount.

However students attending institutions whose student-exchange agreement with Yokohama National University includes a clause indicating "non-collection of tuition fees" will be exempted from paying tuition. Also, examination and entrance fees are waived for all participants in the JOY Program.

Yokohama National University will endeavor to provide all JOY Program participants who so desire with accommodations in university housing for overseas students located near the campus. The university has two international dormitories: the Foreign Student House and the Minesawa International Student Dormitory. JOY students may stay in single rooms that are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, blinds, bookshelf, and closet. The monthly payment is about \15,000, including a monthly rent of about \4,000. Students who wish to stay in a private apartment in the Yokohama area should expect their average monthly living expenses (food, rent, and transportation) to be not less than \120,000.

Applicants should be aware that the cost of living in Japan can be very high, which makes it difficult especially for students who are not on a scholarship. A "college student" visa prohibits students from working in Japan unless they obtain an official exception, which allows them to work for a limited number of hours per week. Many JOY students do obtain such an exception and work while they study in Japan. Participants in the JOY Program, however, are expected to keep their work hours to a minimum so that they do not conflict with study.

Health Care and Insurance

Yokohama National University has a Health Services Center at which emergency treatment for illness and injury is performed free of charge. The Center also can refer students to regular hospitals when more intensive treatment is deemed necessary.

The Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) offers a medical/dental fee reimbursement program for foreign students with "college student" (ryugaku) visa status. Under this program, the AIEJ will reimburse students for 80% of the amount of their health-care expenses in Japan.

Students in possession of a one-year "college student" visa are eligible to join the Japan National Health Insurance (JNHI) program. For a monthly fee of approximately \1,600, JNHI policyholders are entitled to a 70% discount on most medical and dental fees.

Thus, by enrolling in both the JNHI and AIEJ programs, students staying for one year can receive coverage totaling approximately 94% of many of the medical- and dental-care costs they may incur during their stay. Students are free to enroll in other insurance programs, but should keep in mind that one of the advantages of the JNHI is that the part covered by insurance is deducted before the medical bill is paid. Some partner universities require specific insurance coverage for their students studying abroad. You should consult with your home university about such requirements. The YNU dorms also require students living in those dorms to enroll in Rescuer's Expense Insurance, which is available for a minimal fee.