MEXT Scholars Giving Back – Supporting new MEXT Scholars with Quarantine Fees

  • ¥963,101
    raised of ¥3,000,000.00 goal goal
32% Funded
101 Donors
Raised offline: ¥575,000.00
Total: ¥1,538,101.00

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities

Show more
Show less

*Update - May 2022

Some, spring 2022 scholars also having to pay quarantine. MSA is reopening crowdfunding as we do not have enough funds to service all.

We are re-opening the crowdfunding until 10th June 2022. This is because we have received credible reports from scholars entering in Spring 2022 that they had to serve quarantine, once again at their own expense. In addition, some of these expenses which we have seen were equivalent to the amounts that scholars had to pay last year (ie. around ¥150,000 per person).

We have already started receiving new applications from scholars and therefore would like to open a new window to hopefully receive more funds for them.

MSA currently already does not have enough from the last round left. This is why we would love to have your support for this short window.

Background

Every year, thousands of international students arrive in Japan to pursue higher education under the auspices of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program. Those of us that have been fortunate enough to participate in this program will surely remember that the first few months in Japan were a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and nervousness.

Unfortunately, the ongoing travel restrictions enacted due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have made this initial period even more challenging for incoming students. In the early stages of the pandemic, many students were simply unable to travel to Japan. While some were able to begin taking courses online, others could only anxiously wait for news about when they may be allowed to enter the country.

As travel slowly became a possibility, students were finally able to arrive in Japan albeit while serving a mandatory two-week quarantine. These expenses were generously reimbursed by the Ministry of Education until January 2021 when the second State of Emergency was declared.

Why this money is needed

Entries of MEXT scholars restarted in May of 2021, however MEXT scholars in principle have had to pay for their own quarantine expenses. In addition, because quarantine is under strict conditions and arranged by travel agencies, scholars have no choice over the costs nor location of quarantine. Expenses that MSA has seen from incoming scholars who have already arrived in Japan average around ¥150,000, with one scholar being charged more than ¥350,000 for her quarantine accommodation room alone. While a minority may be eligible for reimbursement through their university, it seems that this is an exception to the general rule.

The MEXT Scholars Association (MSA), an organization dedicated to providing social and career support to government-funded students in Japan, has decided to seek donations to help reduce this burden. Our goal is to raise a total of Ұ3,000,000. Assuming that the average payout to a scholar is ¥60,000, this will be enough for us to support 50 scholars. However, given that more than 3000 students arrive each year as part of the MEXT Scholarship Program, the genuine need is likely much higher. While this project mainly relies on the generosity of alumni and current students, we also appreciate any support from individuals with a connection to similar MEXT programs or the desire to help a small portion of international students in Japan.

MSA itself will contribute Ұ500,000 to the fund. The collected total will be used to support incoming students regardless of whether or not the funding goal is reached.

Eligibility and Timeline

The donations will be used to support students according to the following guidelines:

  • Incoming student on the MEXT Scholarship Program, who has arrived / will arrive in Japan in 2021
  • Incoming student on the MEXT Scholarship Program, who is not eligible to receive reimbursement for quarantine expenses through their university
  • The fee amount awarded will be up to half of the documented accommodation fees per applicant
  • Priority will be given to those students with demonstrated needs. Some factors that MSA will take into account when considering an application include, but are not limited to:
    • Validity of application (See “Due Diligence” below)
    • Proof that applicant did not receive university support for their quarantine
    • Background (including country of origin, statement of need, etc.)

Financial aid will be disbursed at the earliest in October 2021. This will allow us to ensure that students entering later in the calendar year will have access to the funds, should the quarantine requirement still be in effect.

Due Diligence

All donations received through this campaign will be used to reimburse quarantine expenses for applicants. Should the total amount exceed our funding goal, MSA will either increase the amount of funds per student or the number of students to receive funding, depending on the results of the application process. In the rare event that neither of these options are possible, MSA will use any remaining funds to provide support in the next entry period in April 2022.

As part of the confirmation of identity and financial need, applicants will have to furnish details such as the following:

  • Receipts for eligible quarantine expenses
  • Proof of entry into their reported school (e.g. through a student identity card or letter from university)
  • Proof of entry into Japan (e.g. through flight itinerary / entry stamp)

MSA commits to check these documents to ensure that the funds will go to those genuinely in need. All these documents will be disposed of within 3 months after the last payment concludes, except in the case where documents need to be held on to for dispute resolution.

In addition, MSA commits to publish a detailed report after all funds have been dispersed, including the number of awardees, the average aid amount, testimonials from recipients, and other anonymized details.

About the MEXT Scholars Association

This campaign is operated by the MEXT Scholars Association (MSA), a non-profit organization working to support both current MEXT scholars and alumni. We have been active since 2016 and, while we are an independent organization, we work directly with MEXT and JASSO, among other partners both inside and outside of Japan. Our membership is open to all current and former MEXT scholars, regardless of course level and nationality. We are the largest MEXT scholar/alumni organization within Japan.

Official Website: https://mextsa.org/

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mextscholars

Rewards

Mention of your individual name / organization name on post-campaign press release

4 Backers

Mention of your individual name / organization name on post-campaign press release. Additional ability to send a message to incoming scholars.

3 Backers

Organizer

  • Xujie Austin Zeng
  •  
  • Campaign Owner

Donors

  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 12, 2022
¥10000.00
  • Trinh Nguyen
  • Donated on Jun 12, 2022
¥5000.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 11, 2022
¥10000.00
Nov 18

Updates - Final extension of Campaign Deadline, no changes to amount that scholars entering have to pay.

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 06:43 am

Important updates about the Crowdfunding so please read.Firstly, we are extending the crowdfunding deadline to the end of the year. This is because originally, all MEXT scholars for the year originally planned to enter Japan by October but then entries were delayed to latest December. Now, MSA understands that the. . . . .

See update
0
Nov 06

First payments sent and received.

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 07:20 am

Hello everyone! We just want to state that the first payments for the financial aid were completed in the last week of October. 9 applicants were selected and received a flat rate of 60,000 yen each. They were selected based on factors such as having debt or their quarantine fees. . . . .

See update
0
Sep 29

Update - Two offline donations received

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 11:52 am

This is to update that we have received a total of ¥25,000 yen in two separate offline donations. The amounts have been reflected in the "Amount raised offline". Thanks to the two people for donating. More details below!Donation 1:Amount: ¥5,000Name: AnonymousMessage: Good luck to all the incoming Mext scholarsDonation 2:Amount:

See update
0
Sep 28

​Important news for the new scholar quarantine crowdfunding campaign.

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 06:16 am

(1) WE CROSSED 1 MILLION YEN! Firstly, the help of everyone we have crossed 1 million yen gathered! Thank you all for contributing and this will go to the new scholars. But please note that this is still not enough because this means at most 20 people receive aid if. . . . .

See update
0
Sep 27

​MSA Quarantine Fee Crowdfunding - Profiles of Incoming Scholars who need our help, Profile 2

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 11:55 am

Presenting R.S. (name abbreviated on request from participant) from RomaniaOur second profile - so that you can get to see the people who you would be helping with your donationsAll details have been shared with the consent with the person featured. --- I am R. S. from Romania. I formally. . . . .

See update
0
Sep 27

​MSA Quarantine Fee Crowdfunding - Profiles of Incoming Scholars who need our help

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 11:54 am

Presenting R.S. (name abbreviated on request from participant) from RomaniaOur second profile - so that you can get to see the people who you would be helping with your donationsAll details have been shared with the consent with the person featured. --- I am R. S. from Romania. I formally. . . . .

See update
0
Sep 03

Direct donation from MEXT scholar received by bank transfer

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 03:58 am

Hello everyone! We received a direct bank transfer from a MEXT scholar who had trouble with her credit card.Please contact [email protected] if you wish to do a direct bank transfer if your credit cards do not work. We will reply with the bank account that we are using to gather. . . . .

See update
0
Aug 27

Potential Recipient Profile 1 - Aulia Khilmi Rizgi

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 05:44 pm

We want to share some of the profiles of the people who have applied for the funding. These are the profiles of the people who your funds would help and we hope this gives you a clearer idea of who you are helping.All details have been shared with the consent. . . . .

See update
0
Aug 23

Direct donation from LbE Japan

Update posted by Xujie Austin Zeng at 08:20 am

Just wanted to report that we received a direct donation from LbE Japan through bank transfer for 20,000 yen. This is the first corporate donor that we have received for this campaign so thanks so much to them!We have reflected this in the "funds raised offline" amount.本日、株式会社LbE Japan様によって、金額2万円の献金をいただきました。これは、今回の募金においての初めての法人献金であり、大変感謝しております。「Funds raised offline(オフラインでの募金額)」に反映いたしました。

See update
0

Donors & Comments

101 donors
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 12, 2022
¥10000.00
  • Trinh Nguyen
  • Donated on Jun 12, 2022
¥5000.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 11, 2022
¥10000.00
  • Hong Tran Hieu
  • Donated on Jun 11, 2022
¥1000.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 06, 2022
Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on May 16, 2022
¥5000.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Dec 31, 2021
Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Dec 31, 2021
Amount Hidden
  • Fawaz Bagoudou
  • Donated on Dec 31, 2021
¥1000.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Dec 31, 2021
  • Everyone needs help from time to time. I hope this creates a chain of favors

¥5000.00
Show more donors

Followers

20 followers
Massimiliano Rigacci
Carmina Correa
Lisa Vargas
Takumi Nakamura
Vianti Aprilia
Katherine Majewski
YOUNGHOON KIM
Freda Kpodo
Sitti J
Kevin Koh
Show more Followers
¥963,101
raised of ¥3,000,000.00 goal
32% Funded
101 Donors
Raised offline: ¥575,000.00
Total: ¥1,538,101.00

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities