University to offer free tuition to students feeling the pinch

A university in Chiba Prefecture will offer free tuition to students who are feeling the pinch from the flailing economy।

Shukutoku University will allocate about 100 million yen per academic year over four years from this April to cover all or half of the school fees of students who cannot afford to pay, officials announced।

"This is probably the first time in Japan for a university to offer free tuition," said an official of the Association of Private Universities of Japan।

Under the financial aid system, up to 60 new students can receive a maximum of 1।4 million yen each in the first year to cover their tuition fees.

Up to 50 students, who are already at the university, will also be eligible for the exemption depending on their economic status। Students can repeatedly apply during the four years if their economic situation hasn't improved.

At the university, inquiries about tuition payments from students and parents have been increasing sharply since around last September। The school also has received many inquiries about scholarships from the parents of potential students.

Shukutoku University Admission Office: 043-265-6881 ।
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