Tokyo Metropolitan Government Eliminates Means Testing, Provides Free High School & University Education for Residents

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In a welcomed move, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will abolish means testing on financial aid, effectively granting free education to students at high schools and metropolitan universities starting from the 2024 fiscal year. 

Expanded Eligibility: Under the new scheme, a wide range of educational institutions including private and metropolitan high schools, and metropolitan universities (including Tokyo University, the Metropolitan Industrial Technology Graduate University, and the Metropolitan Industrial Technology College) are included in this change. The abolition of means testing means that more students than ever will be able to attend university, provided they or their guardians reside in Tokyo.

Private and Metropolitan High Schools Details: Previously, households with an annual income below 9.1 million yen were eligible for financial aid. Now, the only requirement is that students' guardians live within Tokyo, even allowing those attending private high schools outside the city to benefit.

For Higher Education: The policy extends to higher education, where previous income restrictions capped eligibility at households earning below 4.78 million yen. The revised policy maintains support for this income group but now expands it to include all students, with the condition that their financial supporters live in Tokyo.

About the Process

The process and timeline for application differ between private and metropolitan educational institutions. Here are the essential details for applicants:

Private High Schools: Funding will be provided by both the metropolitan and the national governments, with the former’s share being reimbursed directly to guardians around October. The exact contribution from the national government will depend on the school, so applicants should contact their schools for specific details. The application, which will be available online, requires documents like residency, with a submission window from June to July. 

Metropolitan Schools and Universities: Students attending these institutions will not need to pay tuition upfront. Although the application is online, it needs physical documents. The application period is set to begin in April, with relevant materials and URLs provided by educational institutions.

This initiative by Tokyo to make education more accessible is a welcomed change in the city's approach to educational policy, potentially setting a precedent for other regions, and help push the national government into expanding free higher ed to all students.