MEXT vs JASSO Scholarships: A Simple Comparison for Bangladeshi Students

Are you planning to study in Japan but worried about tuition fees and living costs? I've seen many Bangladeshi students think, 'Japan is too expensive for me.' But actually, studying in Japan costs much less than in the US or Europe, and there are attractive scholarships available. Today I'll discuss two major scholarships: MEXT (Monbukagakusho) and JASSO. Both are Japanese government scholarships, but they have some key differences. Let's break it down simply.

What is MEXT Scholarship?

MEXT is a full scholarship from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. It's very competitive, but if you get it, almost all your expenses are covered.

Benefits of MEXT:

• Full tuition waiver: You pay no tuition fees.
• Monthly allowance: You receive around 144,000 yen per month (about 1,10,000 BDT), enough for living expenses.
• Application process: Apply through the Japanese Embassy in Bangladesh. There's a written test and interview. Then you're recommended to a specific university.
• Flight tickets: Round-trip airfare is provided.
• Course: Usually for research students (master's or PhD) or undergraduate degrees.

Drawbacks:

• Limited university choice: You can't choose your university—the scholarship assigns you to one.
• High competition: Only about 20-30 students get it from Bangladesh each year.
• Age limit: 24 for undergraduate, 35 for master's.

What is JASSO Scholarship?

JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) offers various scholarships and loans. The most well-known is the JASSO Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for privately financed international students. It's not a full scholarship but provides a monthly stipend.

Benefits of JASSO:

• Monthly stipend: Around 48,000 yen (undergraduate) or 65,000 yen (master's). It helps with living costs but doesn't cover everything.
• Application process: You apply through your university. Many universities have agreements with JASSO.
• Less competition: Easier to get than MEXT because more slots are available.
• Part-time work allowed: You can work part-time (up to 28 hours per week) while receiving JASSO.

Drawbacks:

• Does not cover tuition: You must pay tuition yourself. However, Japanese public university tuition is around 530,000 yen per year (about 4,00,000 BDT), much lower than Western countries.
• Not a full scholarship: You'll need other funding sources.
• Only for first year: Renewable if you maintain good grades.

Which One is Best for You?

So which should you apply for? From my experience, MEXT is great if you want full financial support and don't mind a fixed university. JASSO is better if you want to choose your own university and can cover some expenses yourself.

Let me share a real example. One of my students, Rafi, wanted to study at Waseda University in Tokyo. He got the JASSO scholarship (65,000 yen monthly) and worked part-time (1,000 yen per hour) to cover the rest. Now he's graduated and working at a Japanese company. Another student, Sumaiya, got MEXT and is doing her master's at Kyoto University. She has no financial stress, but she couldn't choose her university.

Application Timelines and Tips

MEXT applications usually open once a year (April-May at the Japanese Embassy). JASSO applications depend on your university—many open in October or April.

My advice: Prepare for both. Check the embassy website for MEXT, and contact the international office of your target university for JASSO. Also, learn Japanese! Having JLPT N2 or above increases your chances. Check the JLPT calendar.

Caution

Scholarship details change over time. Always confirm with the official embassy or JASSO website before applying. Don't trust agents; apply directly. We can help—contact us for guidance.

If you have more questions, visit our scholarships page or message us. Studying in Japan can fulfill your dreams—just choose the right path.