JASC Rikai / 理解 Scholarship
2024 UPDATE
JASC is suspending the Rikai Scholarship temporarily while we handle some administrative challenges of this program. We will post updates here when we are ready to launch once again.
If you would like to receive updates from JASC and announcements regarding the Rikai Scholarship, please submit your information at the bottom of this page.
The staff and Board of Directors of Japan American Society of Colorado recognize the great value in a quality study abroad experience. Through this scholarship, we hope to make this experience a reality for one or two Colorado university students per year. The word "rikai" or 理解 means understanding. It is through personal connections that we can truly understand one another. Please read on to familiarize yourself with the details of this scholarship.
Applicants must be:
Permanent residents of the State of Colorado
currently attending a degree-granting, accredited university in the State of Colorado
enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
accepted into a university-supported exchange program in Japan OR a qualified third-party partner program that can be verified by your home university; the study abroad program must be for one academic semester or year.
Scholarship Amount
The scholarship amount is re-evaluated annually by the JASC Finance Committee, therefore the amount may change from year to year. In the 2019-20 academic year, JASC was able to award one $2000 scholarship in the fall (2019) and another $2000 in the spring (2020). Scholarship activities came to a halt with COVID-19, but have resumed as of spring 2023.
Eligible Expenses
The scholarship recipient may use the scholarship for travel and living expenses related to a university-sponsored study abroad program.
Application Deadline
Closed for 2023 Fall-start study Abroad
Please check back for application openings.
How to Apply
There are 4 steps to the application process! Interested applicants must fill out the Basic Information Form AND submit the following documents to scholarship@jascolorado.org with the subject line "JASC Rikai Scholarship":
Complete the “Basic Information Form” linked above.
Short Answers (see below; maximum 250 words each)
Why do you want to study in Japan and what do you hope to get out of the experience? If appropriate, talk about “rikai” in your answer.
What will this scholarship allow you to do in Japan that you might not otherwise be able to do?
Letter of Support from a faculty advisor, university counselor, study abroad officer or other appropriate university employee who is qualified to speak to your academic qualifications and/or personal interest in Japan.
Proof of Acceptance into a study abroad program
Approximate/ Estimated Budget for your travel abroad program: Please list estimated expenses for your time abroad and how you expect to cover your expenses (see example); if applicable, include a statement of financial need (not required for eligibility)
Timeline/ benchmarks
5/15/2023 - Application deadline
6/15/2023 - Notification of successful scholarship recipient
7/15/2023 - Acceptance of Scholarship form must be returned to JASC (email attachment is acceptable). Funds will be disbursed through our partner organization, Confluence Strategies LLC (on behalf of the student) upon JASC's receipt of the Acceptance of Scholarship form.
Additional information
Additional Responsibilities of the Scholarship Recipient- The scholarship recipient is asked to hand-write a thank you note to the Board of Directors of the Japan America Society of Colorado upon accepting the scholarship. At the conclusion of their study abroad experience in Japan, the scholarship recipient is asked to provide a 2-5 minute video highlighting their experience in Japan. The scholarship recipient will also be asked to attend, in person, one JASC Board of Directors meeting or Executive Committee meeting to talk about their experience abroad in Japan. (These meetings take place in downtown Denver. Video calls will be considered if distance is a significant factor.)
Consider Joining JASC- JASC has a student member rate. If you are interested in joining this community and taking advantage of the many opportunities we provide to connect you to Japan in the areas of business, education and culture, please join! Membership information is available here. Membership is not required for scholarship consideration.
Special Consideration: If you are planning to study in Japan and have financial need but do not meet every requirement of the Rikai Scholarship, please contact our Executive Director, Claudine Locascio. The Scholarship Committee considers such requests on a case-by-case basis. You must be a permanent resident of the State of Colorado.
DISCLAIMER: JASC will not be responsible for any late, lost or incomplete applications or any printing or typographical errors in the materials associated with the competition. By entering the competition for the scholarship, the applicant releases JASC, its Board of Directors and staff, from any liability whatsoever, and waives any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of and in connection with the competition, the failure of the applicant to receive a scholarship, the awarding of the scholarship, and the use of the scholarship including but not limited to travel, lodging, studies and living in Japan. Applicant assumes the risks inherent in travel, living and studying outside the United States.
If you would like to receive updates from JASC and announcements regarding the Rikai Scholarship,
please submit your information below.