Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program Frequently Asked Questions
- I studied at a university where English was the medium of instruction. Am I still required to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
- Do I need to take the GRE exam?
- The GRE and GMAT exams are not offered in my country. Do I have to go to another country to take the required exam?
- Do I have to pay the University of Hawai'i application fee?
- Must all required documents be submitted by December 1?
- Do I need work experience to apply for the ADB-JSP Scholarship?
- I am married. May my spouse join me if I win the ADB-JSP Scholarship?
- What kind of housing is included in the scholarship?
- What about grocery shopping near campus? How about places to eat out? Are there shopping malls close by?
- Besides schoolwork, what else is there for international students to do?
- I am into fitness. Are there facilities on-campus where I can exercise?
1. I studied at a university where English was the medium of instruction. Am I still required to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
All applicants to the ADB-JSP are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS, exam in order to be eligible to apply for this scholarship. (Back to Top)
2. Do I need to take the GRE exam?
The GRE is a requirement for particular graduate fields of study at the University of Hawai‘i. Look for your area of study to verify if the GRE is required. MBA applicants should consult the Shidler College of Business website. (Back to Top)
3. The GRE and GMAT exams are not offered in my country. Do I have to go to another country to take the required exam?
ADB-JSP applicants who live in a country where neither the GRE nor the GMAT exam is offered can submit a request to the University of Hawai‘i to have their application reviewed without the required score. (Back to Top)
4. Do I have to pay the University of Hawai‘i application fee?
Yes, ADB-JSP applicants are required to pay the University of Hawai‘i application fee. If you are awarded an ADB-JSP scholarship, you will receive reimbursement for one application fee. Applicants may also contact the respective UH department to request a waiver of the application fee due to financial need; please note that this waiver is offered by the university, not the East-West Center. (Back to Top)
5. Must all required documents be submitted by December 1?
No later than December 1, the ADB-JSP application form --- which will include the applicant's responses to four essay questions --- must be submitted online along with the uploading of two supporting documents:
(1) a softcopy of the curriculum vitae or resume, AND
(2) softcopies of transcripts and degree/graduation certificates from each university/college where course credits and grades have been earned.
Note: If available by December 1, please also upload
[a] TOEFL or IELTS results from an exam taken within the last two years, AND
[b] a PDF or screenshot of the "Application Acknowledgment" page from UHM received on the applicant’s computer screen immediately upon submitting an online master’s program application. (If a paper application was submitted to the university, upload a copy of the university's application receipt email.)
No later than December 15, three completed ADB-JSP letter of reference forms must be received by the East-West Center from referees who have uploaded them via the online application process.
No later than March 1, the following official supporting documents must be received by the East-West Center:
(1) official hardcopies transcripts and degree/graduation certificates (if awarded) from each university/college where course credits and grades have been earned mailed directly to EWC by the issuing schools, AND
(2) an official hardcopy of either TOEFL or IELTS results (from an exam taken within the last two years) sent directly to EWC by the testing service/center. If not uploaded at the time the applicant submits her/his online ADB-JSP application form, then by March 1 the applicant must also email a PDF or screenshot of the aforementioned UHM “Application Acknowledgement” to the East-West Center at: [email protected]. (Back to Top)
6. Do I need work experience to apply for the ADB-JSP?
In addition to a bachelor degree or equivalent, ADB-JSP applicants are required to have at least two years of documented professional work experience at the time of application. (Back to Top)
7. I am married. May my spouse join me if I win the ADB-JSP?
ADB-JSP fellows are required to come to Honolulu alone for the first semester of the award to become acquainted with the Center, the University of Hawai‘i, and Honolulu before arranging to have their families join them from abroad. This is a non-negotiable stipulation.
The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program involves more than simply financial aid. It also requires a significant time commitment beyond full-time graduate course requirements in the evenings and on weekends. For this reason, as a condition of the scholarship, recipients must come alone for the first semester in order to demonstrate their ability to fulfill all the scholarship program requirements as well as maintain strong academic standing at the university. After the first semester, student fellows who have shown that they can manage both their fellowship commitments and graduate courses with strong academic standing may request visa sponsorship for a family member to join them. U.S. immigration policy requires that they demonstrate eligibility for J-2 visa sponsorship by providing documentation of sufficient financial resources beyond the scholarship to cover living and health insurance costs for each family member who comes. (Back to Top)
8. What kind of housing is included in the scholarship?
ADB-JSP scholars live in one of the two housing facilities that the East-West Center provides for its student scholarship recipients --- Hale Manoa and Hale Kuahine. Detailed information on these two residence halls can be found at: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/about-ewc/housing/student-housing. (Back to Top)
9. What about grocery shopping near campus? How about places to eat out? Are there shopping malls close by?
There are numerous grocery stores within walking distance of campus or just a short bus ride away. Same for dining out. Lots of eateries on- and off-campus. Many are within walking distance. Two shopping malls are a short bus ride away. See: https://ewcparticipantinfo.org/dining-shopping/. (Back to Top)
10. Besides schoolwork, what else is there for international students to do?
When not hitting the books, there are lots of entertaining things for everyone to do in Honolulu and other places on the island of Oahu, many of which are inexpensive or free. These include great hiking trails and ocean activities. Other good suggestions for extracurricular activities can be found at: https://ewcparticipantinfo.org/to-do-on-oahu/. (Back to Top)
11. I am into fitness. Are there facilities on-campus where I can exercise?
The Warrior Recreation Center at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Campus Center opened in 2014. Students who have a validated UH Manoa ID card have full access to the facility and services. To learn more, see: https://ewcparticipantinfo.org/health-fitness/. (Back to Top)
For additional answers to frequently-asked questions, please refer to the ADB Application Information and Instructions packet as well as the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Asian Development Bank's JSP website.
Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program Frequently Asked Questions
- I studied at a university where English was the medium of instruction. Am I still required to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
- Do I need to take the GRE exam?
- The GRE and GMAT exams are not offered in my country. Do I have to go to another country to take the required exam?
- Do I have to pay the University of Hawai'i application fee?
- Must all required documents be submitted by December 1?
- Do I need work experience to apply for the ADB-JSP Scholarship?
- I am married. May my spouse join me if I win the ADB-JSP Scholarship?
- What kind of housing is included in the scholarship?
- What about grocery shopping near campus? How about places to eat out? Are there shopping malls close by?
- Besides schoolwork, what else is there for international students to do?
- I am into fitness. Are there facilities on-campus where I can exercise?
1. I studied at a university where English was the medium of instruction. Am I still required to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
All applicants to the ADB-JSP are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS, exam in order to be eligible to apply for this scholarship. (Back to Top)
2. Do I need to take the GRE exam?
The GRE is a requirement for particular graduate fields of study at the University of Hawai‘i. Look for your area of study to verify if the GRE is required. MBA applicants should consult the Shidler College of Business website. (Back to Top)
3. The GRE and GMAT exams are not offered in my country. Do I have to go to another country to take the required exam?
ADB-JSP applicants who live in a country where neither the GRE nor the GMAT exam is offered can submit a request to the University of Hawai‘i to have their application reviewed without the required score. (Back to Top)
4. Do I have to pay the University of Hawai‘i application fee?
Yes, ADB-JSP applicants are required to pay the University of Hawai‘i application fee. If you are awarded an ADB-JSP scholarship, you will receive reimbursement for one application fee. Applicants may also contact the respective UH department to request a waiver of the application fee due to financial need; please note that this waiver is offered by the university, not the East-West Center. (Back to Top)
5. Must all required documents be submitted by December 1?
No later than December 1, the ADB-JSP application form --- which will include the applicant's responses to four essay questions --- must be submitted online along with the uploading of two supporting documents:
(1) a softcopy of the curriculum vitae or resume, AND
(2) softcopies of transcripts and degree/graduation certificates from each university/college where course credits and grades have been earned.
Note: If available by December 1, please also upload
[a] TOEFL or IELTS results from an exam taken within the last two years, AND
[b] a PDF or screenshot of the "Application Acknowledgment" page from UHM received on the applicant’s computer screen immediately upon submitting an online master’s program application. (If a paper application was submitted to the university, upload a copy of the university's application receipt email.)
No later than December 15, three completed ADB-JSP letter of reference forms must be received by the East-West Center from referees who have uploaded them via the online application process.
No later than March 1, the following official supporting documents must be received by the East-West Center:
(1) official hardcopies transcripts and degree/graduation certificates (if awarded) from each university/college where course credits and grades have been earned mailed directly to EWC by the issuing schools, AND
(2) an official hardcopy of either TOEFL or IELTS results (from an exam taken within the last two years) sent directly to EWC by the testing service/center. If not uploaded at the time the applicant submits her/his online ADB-JSP application form, then by March 1 the applicant must also email a PDF or screenshot of the aforementioned UHM “Application Acknowledgement” to the East-West Center at: [email protected]. (Back to Top)
6. Do I need work experience to apply for the ADB-JSP?
In addition to a bachelor degree or equivalent, ADB-JSP applicants are required to have at least two years of documented professional work experience at the time of application. (Back to Top)
7. I am married. May my spouse join me if I win the ADB-JSP?
ADB-JSP fellows are required to come to Honolulu alone for the first semester of the award to become acquainted with the Center, the University of Hawai‘i, and Honolulu before arranging to have their families join them from abroad. This is a non-negotiable stipulation.
The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program involves more than simply financial aid. It also requires a significant time commitment beyond full-time graduate course requirements in the evenings and on weekends. For this reason, as a condition of the scholarship, recipients must come alone for the first semester in order to demonstrate their ability to fulfill all the scholarship program requirements as well as maintain strong academic standing at the university. After the first semester, student fellows who have shown that they can manage both their fellowship commitments and graduate courses with strong academic standing may request visa sponsorship for a family member to join them. U.S. immigration policy requires that they demonstrate eligibility for J-2 visa sponsorship by providing documentation of sufficient financial resources beyond the scholarship to cover living and health insurance costs for each family member who comes. (Back to Top)
8. What kind of housing is included in the scholarship?
ADB-JSP scholars live in one of the two housing facilities that the East-West Center provides for its student scholarship recipients --- Hale Manoa and Hale Kuahine. Detailed information on these two residence halls can be found at: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/about-ewc/housing/student-housing. (Back to Top)
9. What about grocery shopping near campus? How about places to eat out? Are there shopping malls close by?
There are numerous grocery stores within walking distance of campus or just a short bus ride away. Same for dining out. Lots of eateries on- and off-campus. Many are within walking distance. Two shopping malls are a short bus ride away. See: https://ewcparticipantinfo.org/dining-shopping/. (Back to Top)
10. Besides schoolwork, what else is there for international students to do?
When not hitting the books, there are lots of entertaining things for everyone to do in Honolulu and other places on the island of Oahu, many of which are inexpensive or free. These include great hiking trails and ocean activities. Other good suggestions for extracurricular activities can be found at: https://ewcparticipantinfo.org/to-do-on-oahu/. (Back to Top)
11. I am into fitness. Are there facilities on-campus where I can exercise?
The Warrior Recreation Center at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Campus Center opened in 2014. Students who have a validated UH Manoa ID card have full access to the facility and services. To learn more, see: https://ewcparticipantinfo.org/health-fitness/. (Back to Top)
For additional answers to frequently-asked questions, please refer to the ADB Application Information and Instructions packet as well as the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Asian Development Bank's JSP website.