Cost
Please note, the Exchange Program Fee for Academic Year 2024-25 and Fall 2024 are currently estimates. The WMU Board of Trustees sets the WMU tuition rate each year in July. Once the WMU Board of Trustees confirms the tuition rate for the 2024-25 academic year, the Exchange Program Fees are updated accordingly. 

The WMU program fee includes: tuition, administrative fees, WMU health and international and emergency assistance insurance, and orientation. The program fee will be billed to the student account for each semester.

The program fee does not include: housing (rent, utilities, internet, and rental bedding set), meals (optional meal plan and lunch on campus), airfare, books, local transportation, passport, visa, Japanese National Health Insurance, COVID-19 testing, and miscellaneous expenses. Living expense figures were determined based on Daito Bunka's guidelines in this brochure for exchange students.

Costs not included in the program fee are estimates and may vary according to individual needs and preferences. This budget does not include activities which are not part of the academic program, such as personal travel, entertainment, shopping, etc.

Program fees are subject to adjustment due to changes in actual exchange rates or other factors. In addition, programs may be modified or cancelled in the event of insufficient enrollment. Program dates are subject to slight adjustment by the home/host university.

Note: For tax purposes, the university requires the program fee billing be divided into qualified (expenses and fees related to the class or program) and non-qualified (other costs).  The total program fee equals the program commitment deposit plus qualified and non-qualified expenses added together.
Example:
   Program commitment deposit
+ Qualified (expenses and fees related to the class or program)
+ Non-qualified (other costs)
= Total program fee

Program commitment fee:  Once a student is accepted to the program, they need to decide to officially "commit" to the program or withdraw. When a students makes the commitment decision, this is a financial commitment. Once a student is "committed", the Program commitment fee is non-refundable. Additionally, students are responsible for the Program Fee, less any expenses that WMU Study Abroad is able to recover. The program fee is billed to the WMU student account for the semester of enrollment in study abroad credits. The program fee is due within 30 days once charged to the WMU student account. After 30 days, per university accounts policy, holds will be placed on past-due balances.

Please note: Disbursement of financial aid may not coincide with the start date of the program abroad, so plan ahead!  Some out-of-pocket costs may occur prior to receiving financial aid for the semester, such as the program commitment deposit, passport, airfare, immunizations, visa or residence permit fees (if applicable).  These costs vary by program and WMU Study Abroad Specialists are available to answer questions about the program budget.

Financial Aid
Students eligible for federal or state financial aid may use their awards for studying abroad.  After a student has been accepted to the program, they must complete required paperwork with WMU Financial Aid to apply financial aid to the program costs.  It is the student's responsibility to complete the paperwork prior to departure and to maintain compliance with financial aid regulations while studying abroad (i.e., remain enrolled full-time).  Non-WMU students must apply for financial aid through their home university.

Scholarship
Several scholarships may be available for this program, including the JASSO scholarship, but these scholarships are distributed through external organizations and WMU makes no guarantee regarding availability.

Students applying for this program may be eligible for the President's Grant for Study Abroad. 


Last updated 2/12/24 by HH.