Japan creates a deferred tuition payment system for master's programmes — no tuition while studying, income-linked payments after graduation
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From fiscal year 2024 (Reiwa 6), Japan created a 'deferred tuition payment system' (授業料後払い制度) under which students on master's programmes pay no tuition while studying and pay according to their income after graduation.
Key facts
| When it started | Created in fiscal year 2024 (Reiwa 6); mainly for students entering from autumn 2024 onwards (students entering in fiscal year 2025 and later can also use it if they meet the criteria) |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Students on master's programmes in Japan (including equivalent first-stage doctoral programmes) and professional degree programmes (undergraduate tuition is not covered) |
| Tuition cap covered (per year) | National and public: 535,800 yen / Private: 776,000 yen |
| How you pay | No payment while studying → pay JASSO after graduation according to your income, interest-free |
| Legal status | Interest-free Category 1 scholarship loan (a single lump-sum 'tuition support loan' equal to the tuition) |
| Living-costs loan (optional) | 20,000 yen or 40,000 yen a month (you can also choose not to take it) |
| Income criteria | The same criteria as the existing Category 1 scholarship loan, such as personal annual income of around 3,000,000 yen or less |
| Number of children taken into account | For example, with 2 children, income-based payments do not start until annual income reaches around 4,000,000 yen |
| Using it alongside other loans | Cannot be used together with a Category 1 scholarship loan / can be used together with a Category 2 (interest-bearing) scholarship loan |
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From fiscal year 2024 (Reiwa 6), Japan created a 'deferred tuition payment system' (授業料後払い制度) for students on master's programmes (including equivalent first-stage doctoral programmes) and professional degree programmes. Students pay no tuition while studying; in principle the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) pays the equivalent of the tuition to the institution, and after graduation the user pays JASSO according to their income. The tuition covered is capped at 535,800 yen a year for national and public institutions and 776,000 yen a year for private institutions, and in legal terms it is treated as an interest-free Category 1 scholarship loan. Users can also take a living-costs scholarship loan of 20,000 yen or 40,000 yen a month if they wish.
Background — why this change
The system was created so that tuition is not collected while the student is studying and is instead paid according to income after graduation. Users receive the equivalent of their tuition as a single lump-sum loan (a tuition support loan) while studying, and the amount they pay after graduation is set according to their income and the number of children they have.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
Can undergraduates use it?
Undergraduate tuition is not covered. It is for students on master's programmes in Japan (including equivalent first-stage doctoral programmes) and professional degree programmes.
Is interest charged?
No, it is interest-free. In legal terms it is treated as an interest-free Category 1 scholarship loan.
Can I take it alongside other scholarship loans?
You cannot use it at the same time as an existing Category 1 scholarship loan, but you can use it alongside a Category 2 (interest-bearing) scholarship loan.