Overview
Fall/Spring Awards: This award has one application cycle per year. 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. No spring only or summer only 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.
Students need to follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the Florida-Japan Linkage Institute Tuition Exemption Form. Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Program for Japanese Students Enrolled in Florida Public Institutions of Higher Education. Contact Florida-Japan Linkage Institute at japan@uwf.edu if you have questions.
Instructions
Step 1
Go to the Florida-Japan Linkage Institute Tuition Exemption Form. This form is to be used for new applications and renewal applications.
Step 2
Log in to Dynamic Forms.
First time logging in
If this is the first time you are logging in, you have to create a Dynamic Forms account.
Step 3
Click the Complete This Form link.
Step 4
Complete all information on the Form page.
Enter your personal information and select the term for application and year for your request.
Enter the name of your school. Applicants must be admitted to or attending a Florida institution of higher education. Confirm the level of education for which you are requesting to apply the tuition exemption.
Confirm you understand the requirements for additional documentation to complete the application.
Step 5
Submit your electronic signature and press "Sign Electronically" to submit your form.
Step 6
Mail the required official transcript to:
Florida-Japan Linkage Institute
11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 71
Pensacola, FL 32514
OR
Have your institution send an official transcript by email to japan@uwf.edu
FAQs
1. Does the linkage waiver provide a full tuition waiver?
No, the award only allows for the waiver of out-of-state tuition fees.
2. At which institutions can I use the FJLI out-of-state tuition waiver?
The award may be applied at state universities and community colleges that are part of the Florida State University System and the Florida College System.
3. How many awards will you give out each semester/year?
This depends on the number of applicants we receive each year, as pursuant to Florida Statute 288.8175, the program is only allowed to award up to 25 full-time equivalent awards (approximately 750 credit hours) per academic year (fall and spring semesters). We will review academic performance and financial needs to determine the number of credit hours of out-of-state waivers an applicant may receive. In an attempt to try and award as many students some amount of credit hours, not all students will receive the full amount of credit hours they request.
4. I missed the application deadline, can I apply late?
No, only applications and supporting documents received prior to the deadline can be considered.
5. I am a citizen of Japan, but am a US Permanent Resident or on another visa rather than F-1, am I eligible?
No, the award is only available to citizens of Japan taking in-person classes on an F-1 visa.
6. The institution that I plan to enroll in is different from the institution that I listed when I submitted my application, is that acceptable?
If you can provide documentation of admission at another eligible Florida institution prior to the April 1 deadline, we can update your records to reflect the new institution. We cannot make changes to the institution of your intended enrollment after April 1.
7. I will be an incoming freshman at a Florida school, am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, you may apply as an incoming freshman; however, if 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.
Some transcript evaluation agencies are listed below. UWF does not endorse any particular approved agency.
8. I missed the April 1 application deadline for the fall and spring semester, can I apply for an award for spring semester?
No, Florida-Japan Linkage will only accept applications one time per year for both fall and spring semesters. If you miss the April 1 deadline, you will need to wait until next year's application cycle to apply.
9. I need a summer award, is that possible?
No, summer awards are not provided.
10. I received the Florida-Japan Linkage Institute award in the previous academic year, will I receive it in future semesters/years?
Not necessarily. There is no guarantee that your award will be maintained year after year; this is why applicants must reapply each year. We cannot limit the amount of applicants we have each year, so award decisions and the amount of awards can vary from year to year based on the number of total applicants. This is a very competitive awarding process. Not all applicants will receive an award.
11. What criteria do you consider when making your awards?
We will primarily consider cumulative GPA, but take into account the essay and your year in school as well. Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will not be considered for an award.
12. I have a copy of my academic transcripts, can I send them directly to your office?
No, we can only consider academic transcripts to be official if they come directly from the institution where the credit hours were received.
13. My transcripts are from Japan, can I use these?
Yes, we can accept your official transcript from Japan; however, if 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.
Some transcript evaluation agencies are listed below. UWF does not endorse any particular approved agency.
14. I understand that I am required to return to my home country after the completion of my studies. Is this true?
Yes, Florida Statute 288.8175, stipulates that you must return to your home country for a period equal to the amount of time you received a linkage award.
15. When will I receive my decision on the award?
Decisions are made after the application deadline of April 1. The committee reviews the applications and supporting documents and will send out award letters typically in early May.
16. I received a linkage award, but do not see the award reflected in my student account.
Our program provides the award letter to you, but it is the student’s responsibility to show the award letter to their home institution for the application of the award. If you need assistance in finding who should receive your letter at your home institution, you may email japan@uwf.edu.
17. I received a linkage award, when do I receive the scholarship money?
The tuition waiver is not a scholarship. The tuition waiver will simply "waive" the additional costs you would otherwise pay as an international ("out-of-state") student. The tuition waiver will allow you to register for classes at the same tuition rate as a Florida resident ("in-state") student. There is no monetary award provided.
18. Am I a new or renewal applicant?
If you did not receive the scholarship in the academic year prior, you must apply as a new student and submit the supplemental material required by new applicants.
19. How will you communicate with me?
We will only communicate with you via the email address you provide in your application. Please check your email address for accuracy before submitting your application.
20. Who should I contact about my application?
We recommend that you communicate by emailing japan@uwf.edu directly. For questions specific to the following application processes, you may contact the following codirectors:
Application access, submission of supporting documents - Rachel Hendrix, University of West Florida, rhendrix@uwf.edu
General inquiries, questions about missing documents - Carol Kim, University of South Florida, kim@usf.edu
Award amounts, awarding process, award letters - Frank Jurkovic , University of West Florida, jurkovic.frank@spcollege.edu