Florida-Japan Linkage Institute

The Institute, created in 1987 by the Florida Legislature, is dedicated to the development of stronger economic and social ties between Florida and Japan through the promotion of expanded public and private dialogue on cooperative research and technical assistance activities, increased bilateral commerce, student and faculty exchanges, cultural exchanges, and the enhancement of language training skills between Florida postsecondary institutions and those of Japan (Florida Statute 288.8175).

The statute enables the Institute to award out-of-state tuition exemptions to Japanese citizens studying at state universities and community colleges that are part of the Florida State University System and the Florida Community College System on an F-1 visa. Students interested in applying for a tuition exemption award should see the Tuition Exemption Policies and Procedures.

 

Florida-Japan Linkage Institute Tuition Exemption Program

Use this link to apply for the Florida-Japan Linkage Institute Tuition Exemption Program. 

FJLI Application

Tuition Exemption Information

Fall Awards
New students and current recipients may submit an application after Jan. 15 each year. The deadline is April 1. Awards will be provided for both fall and spring semesters.

Spring Awards
New students may submit an application after July 1 each year. The deadline is Nov. 1. Awards will be provided for spring semester only.

Summer Awards
Current FJLI recipients may be eligible for summer awards if there is a surplus of awards in the current academic year. Current recipients will be emailed about the process to apply for summer awards.

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Exemptions may be awarded at the undergraduate, graduate, and vocational levels, for degree, non-degree and certificate programs of study. These exemptions do not apply to non-degree intensive English study.

Because there are more applicants than awards, tuition waiver awards are competitive! Relevant factors considered by the Institute include, but are not limited to: grade point average (GPA), type of degree program, and demonstration of progress towards a degree with intent to graduate (if the applicant is a degree-seeking student). Consideration for a tuition exemption requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Exemptions will be granted for no more than twelve (12) undergraduate hours or no more than nine (9) graduate or graduate-undergraduate combination hours per semester, and the award may be less than requested.

Successful applicants will receive a letter authorizing the exemption, so please make sure you provide us with a correct mailing address and email address. Please present the letter to the appropriate university office with the required fee payment. Once fees are paid, the student will receive a receipt.

If you were awarded the scholarship from FJLI, you must submit the online Credit Hours Used (CHU) form. It should be submitted within 10 days of the end of drop/add for each semester. Failure to return the form will result in the forfeiture of your out-of-state waiver and disqualifying you from applying for the waiver in the future.  Students who register for less than the number of hours awarded must send a copy of the registrar's receipt, or other proof of enrollment, to the Florida-Japan Linkage Institute office, so that we may award the unused hours to another student.

Credit Hours Used Form

FIRST-TIME APPLICANT CHECKLIST:

• Online Application
  • Copy of Valid Passport with Photo (uploaded with application)
  • Copy of Visa (uploaded with application)
  • Cover Letter/Statement of Purpose (uploaded with application)
  • Proof of admission or Enrollment or copy of issued Form I-20
• Most Recent Official School Transcripts (Sent directly from your university by email to japan@uwf.edu or in sealed and stamped school envelope to the UWF address below). If your transcript is from outside of the US,  and your transcript is not translated into English and/or if it does not provide equivalencies to the US GPA scale, your transcript will need to be accompanied by an official credential evaluation.
• Valid Mailing Address and Email Address for Future Correspondence
  • You MUST inform us if your address changes. Duplicates of the original award letter are not permitted.

RENEWAL APPLICANT CHECKLIST:

• Online Application
  • Copy of Valid Passport with Photo (uploaded with application)
  • Copy of Visa (uploaded with application)
• Most Recent Official School Transcripts (Sent directly from your university by email to japan@uwf.edu or in sealed and stamped school envelope to the UWF address below). If your transcript is from outside of the US,  and your transcript is not translated into English and/or if it does not provide equivalencies to the US GPA scale, your transcript will need to be accompanied by an official credential evaluation.
  • Valid Mailing Address and Email Address for Future Correspondence
    You MUST inform us if your address changes. Duplicates of the original award letter are not permitted.

AWARDED APPLICANT CHECKLIST:

• Present the FJLI Official Award Letter to your Cashier’s Office and Registrar to ensure that your tuition is correct according to your individual award.
• Submit CHU (Credit Hours Used) Form no later than TEN days after your school’s last day of Drop/Add.
• If you use less than the awarded hours in the semester, please send the respective office (see below) a copy of the registrar’s receipt

 

Florida Statute 288.8175 authorizing this tuition exemption program provides that students awarded tuition exemptions are required to return to their home country, after their studies, for a length of time equal to their exemption period.

The Institute is co-administered by the University of West Florida, University of South Florida and St. Petersburg College. Currently, the administration of the Institute is located at the University of West Florida. Please send all application materials and direct any questions or comments to:

Rachel L. Hendrix, Co-Director
University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway
Building 71, Room 116
Pensacola, FL  32514
850.474.2479
japan@uwf.edu

Frank Jurkovic, Co-Director
St. Petersburg College
6605 5th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
727.341.4732
727.341.4623 fax
jurkovic.frank@spcollege.edu