Colleges offer carrots to honors students

National universities have increasingly introduced systems to financially support honors students, including scholarships and tuition waivers, since the entities became independent administrative institutions in 2004.

Although similar programs have long been employed by private universities, 23 of 83 national universities have either introduced or have decided to implement programs in the past three years. These include Osaka and Hiroshima universities, while Hitotsubashi University will launch a program in April.

The trend stems from the universities' efforts to attract better students as the number of applicants will match the number of entrants accepted by universities this spring, resulting in fierce competition among universities for top students.

Osaka University started a scholarship program for high academic achievers in the 2005 academic year. The program provides a 200,000 yen scholarship for students with strong academic records between their first year and the first half of their second year, during which time students take liberal arts classes.

In the first year, 46 students out of 415 who applied received the scholarship, while 49 of the 242 applicants received it in the second year.

One of the university's academic goals is to provide students with a well-rounded education.

Eiichi Takasugi, head of the Institute for Higher Education Research and Practice, said, "It's important for students to study a variety of subjects before specializing, so we hope the scholarship will motivate students academically."

Hiroshima University's programs, which were introduced this academic year, provide 200,000 yen to new entrants who achieve high scores on its entrance examination. Outstanding students in the second or upper years have half of their annual tuition, or 267,900 yen, waived.

This academic year, 52 new entrants and 80 other students enjoyed the benefits. A university spokesman said, "We hope more high school students will want to enroll in Hiroshima University and remain motivated after entering the school."

Shimane and Kagawa universities also began halving tuition for honors students in their second year or higher this academic year. Sixty-six Shimane University students and 42 Kagawa University students were chosen for the rewards.

The trend has been accelerated because national universities have been allowed broader authority over their finances since becoming independent administrative institutions.

Universities can independently change budget allocations for scholarships and tuition waivers.

Hitotsubashi University boasts that its scholarship program will give students the largest allowance per student among national university scholarship programs.

The university covers the program with a fund comprising donations that was established in 2004. The program will give 80,000 yen a month for a year to 12 students in each of the second, third and fourth years.

A university spokesman said, "We hope we can attract better young people by supporting our outstanding students."

According to major cram school Kawaijuku Educational Institution, 371 of 561 private schools across the nation have a program to give preferential treatment to those who pass their entrance examinations with high marks.

Satoru Kanbe of Kawaijuku Educational Institute said, "Because the competition among major private universities and national universities has intensified, national universities pay more attention to developing outstanding students, so more universities will introduce programs to give preferential treatment to honors students."

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070227TDY02009.htm