HIS Sapporo Campus Financial Aid Program
Financial Aid is monetary assistance provided by HIS to reduce educational costs to families. Financial aid is provided on the basis of financial need, which is defined as the difference between educational expenses and a family’s ability to pay those expenses. Since eligibility is based on many factors and each family has differing situations and financial circumstances, it is not possible to determine a specific income level at which a family is eligible or ineligible for aid.
HIS is committed to offering some degree of financial assistance to families that demonstrate financial need in paying tuition. First and foremost, consideration is given to students who have no educational alternatives in Sapporo. Ordinarily, this limits eligibility to students who are not subsidized by their parents’ employers or by other parties.
Each year, the school generates Financial Assistance funds through a combination of sources. Some families require assistance beyond what the program can offer, and unfortunately HIS is not able to meet all of the needs of all applicants.
Allocation of Funds
Applying for financial aid does not guarantee that you will be eligible to receive it. Conversely, simply being eligible does not guarantee that there will be financial aid available. The amount of aid offered by the school depends on each family’s financial circumstances, the funds available, and the school’s policies. Since a majority of the school’s funds are awarded prior to summer holiday and allocated at the start of the school year, the application timing is also another factor.
Determination of grant assistance is based on a computational model that is similar to ones used in other school financial aid programs and on the professional judgment of the Financial Aid Committee regarding special circumstances of applicant families. The typical award amount covers 10 % to a maximum of 50% of tuition and is only valid for one academic year.
Important Considerations
1. Know the Deadlines
For each academic year, Financial Aid applications for HIS are announced in the Spring and typically due in May or June. Only under very unusual circumstances will exceptions be made to this deadline.
2. Consider ALL the costs
Knowing the true cost of a full year of education will help you plan your finances. Additional costs include one-time building and annual capital fees, and other annual expenses such as transportation, lunch, sports, and travel fees for retreats, field-trips and other club activities. Please note that the HIS Financial Aid Program covers ONLY the cost of tuition. All families of students at HIS must pay all annual and one-time fees in full at the time of admission.
3. Remember that aid is awarded annually
Families receiving financial aid must reapply each year in order to be eligible for continuing financial aid. HIS will make every effort to continue to provide financial assistance at comparable levels when need warrants.
Criteria for Aid
Financial aid is based on a full year’s enrollment and tuition. Should your child(ren) withdraw during the school year, the financial aid amount will be prorated.
Students receiving aid are expected to observe accepted standards of social behavior and to progress satisfactorily in their academic programs. Students receiving aid who are on disciplinary or academic probation will receive future financial assistance grants on a semester basis until their probation status is remedied. Future grants may be withheld if their probation persists.
Administration of the Program
The school’s policies on financial aid are determined by the Executive Board and are administered by a Financial Aid Committee made up of school administration and other members appointed by the board.
Processing financial aid applications and managing the program’s records and communications are responsibilities of the school administration, specifically the office of the Head of School. After enrollment, all inquiries and questions regarding the Financial Aid program should be directed to the Head of School's office.
The Application Process
1. Contact the HIS Office.
Application forms for financial aid are available at the school office. All matters concerning financial aid (inquiries, applications, and decisions) will be handled confidentially.
2. Submit ALL documents ON TIME
Applications will NOT be considered until all required documentation has been submitted.
Identify ALL income sources anticipated for the school year, including support from family, friends, and relatives.
Provide accurate figures from the MOST RECENT taxation period.
* Provide a certified “Income and Tax Statement/Certificate” issued by your local government or tax authority.
* If a certified “Income and Tax Statement/Certificate” is not available, obtain one from your employer.
* If your tax is withheld in Japan, your statement should represent the year ending the previous December 31.
3. Await Notification
Notification regarding financial aid will be sent to applicants as soon as possible before the start of the school year.
Hokkaido Government Tuition Assistance Grants
The government of Hokkaido offers income-based tuition assistance for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. Please contact the HIS office if you have need and think you may qualify.
HIS Scholarship Opportunities
Founded in 1958, Hokkaido International School is committed to academic pursuit, character development, and global engagement. HIS's AP curriculum, outdoor education, music, and sports programs allow students to develop as future leaders in a changing world. HIS is pleased to offer the scholarship opportunities below, which are both made possible by the generous donations and fundraising work of our community supporters:
- Arletta Seltzer Memorial Scholarship for Young Women Leaders. This four-year, half-tuition scholarship will be awarded to one young woman each year entering ninth grade from outside of Hokkaido and living in the HIS dormitories. It is named for one of the first leaders of Hokkaido International School. *Note: in rare situations, the selection committee may modify the criteria of the scholarship to include students from other groups. However, this will generally only occur if there is a limited number of applicants from the target group.
- Husky Achievement Scholarship: The intention of the scholarship is to support the educational environment of HIS by increasing access for students who bring diversity to the student body (in alignment with the JCIS Inclusion statement), who exemplify exceptional academic merit, and/or students whose academic record and character meet the objectives and goals of HIS but have temporary financial need that would otherwise prevent their enrollment. It may only be awarded to new secondary (6-12) students.