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/Spring Awards
This award has one application cycle per year. New students and current recipients may submit an application after January 15 each year. The deadline is April 1. Awards will be provided for both fall and spring semesters. No spring only or summer awards will be granted.

If students are unable to submit the application before the deadline, they will need to apply in the next cycle the following year for exemption.

 

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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.

 

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.
• 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

 

Questions regarding the application processes may be directed to the following:

Application access, submission of supporting documents:

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

 

General inquiries, questions about missing documents:

Carol Kim, Co-Director
University of South Florida
USF World
4202 E.Fowler Ave., CGS 101
Tampa, Florida 33620
813.974.5305 
kim@usf.edu

 

Award amounts, awarding process, award letters:

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