Need serious help. University of Tokyo accepted but...

[Emoni]

Ok all, here is the situation I'm faced with, and it is a doooozy.

A short summary, during my time in the US I've applied to numerous programs. My main focus was graduate studies at Waseda University or best of all, the University of Tokyo. On the side I was accepted into a Fulbright teaching fellowship to Korea (which I turned down a few days ago), and also was accepted into JET.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the few number of scholarships offered to students (primarily from Asia though) for graduate school at Waseda; however, I was accepted to the University of Tokyo graduate program. I was told prior to my application after speaking with them via phone and email that I would receive a scholarship to fund my study if I was accepted into the program. I found out a week after I was accepted that was a lie, or as they call it "a miscommunication." Um, no it wasn't, but ok...

Now I'm faced with trying to find a way to fund study at the University of Tokyo, they will not defer my acceptance to any other date beyond this fall so I can apply for the mombusho scholarship again, and all scholarships for the program I must be in JAPAN to apply for. To make matters worse, FAFSA is not connected with the University of Tokyo, so any student loans seem impossible. I can have about $10,000 by the time I would leave for the University of Tokyo this fall. I don't want to give up this opportunity of course.

My question to any of you is... what do you recommend I do to make this work? Have any of you been in this situation? Are there other areas where I can check for student loans, scholarships?

I'm currently checking ANY possible options, so any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[Glenski]

http://educationjapan.org/jguide/scholarships.html
Scholarships Abroad | GoAbroad.com
http://scholarship-positions.com/ja...m-for-research-in-japan-long-term/2009/04/02/

 

[Emoni]

Thanks Glenski, but I wish I could say I had not already checked into those

 

[Akakubisan]

Unfortunately there is not a whole lot of scholarships or grants available to Americans in Japan. I've looked.
I don't have any real advice, but apply for any scholarships the university has.
Also, after starting the program you might be able to apply for a reduction in tuition based on financial factors. I did this and they cut my tuition in half. (I stated the current financial crisis and the rise of yen against the dollar as the reason, which was very true at the time, also this was 6 months into the program)
I am studying at Tsukuba, another national university, I am making an assumption the Todai does the same.

Also remember that you can work up to 28 hours per week on a student visa (I figure you knew that already), with permission.

good luck

 

[Emoni]

Yes, that is a problem I'm really running into. I've looked as well, there are almost no scholarships available. I'm left with a lot of vague information from the office at Todai, they say I can apply for some scholarships prior to arrival, but all of the ones listed require SOMETHING that mandates that I be in Japan to have a chance to finish the application, a copy of a gaijin card, an open Japanese bank account number... So not sure how this is helpful to me.

There is a tuition waiver, and considering I'll be going with VERY limited funds, I'd sure hope I get it or it is an instant deportation ticket. Not a circumstance I consider going to grad school under of course.

Work is possible; however... that only goes so far. Especially, since I will be SWAMPED with other things that must be done.

I'm trying desperately to find a way, but...

 

[Nall-ohki]

Said it before, and not much time to write it, but:

Tokyo is expensive. Try somewhere else.

Example: I pay 25,000 / month rent + utilities here in Sapporo.