the whole enchilada

Wandering around the TUJ website, I found the page which displays the actual cost of attendance. I have seen this page before, but not since I applied this Winter. Here are the facts, ma'am:

So, what's interesting are two things which aren't accounted for on this list. Namely, the application fee of 10,000¥ (about $109.00) and the admission fee of 35,000¥ (roughly $379.00). I already paid the application fee, but not the admission fee. I also paid for Jarrett's visa application (20,000¥ = $217.00), but not my own. Anyway, the total should equal the contents of the above list (1,582,450¥) plus the unmentioned admission fee (35,000¥) for a grand total of 1,617,450¥ or . . . $17,495.00~ish.

I suppose this teaches me not to freak out before all the evidence is in. Last year, I received just under $14,000 in financial aid. If I get about the same for my first year at Temple, then I'm only down roughly $3500 dollars. Don't get me wrong—that's a lot of money. That's more money than I have ever saved in my entire life. However, it isn't completely out of the question. Had it greatly exceeded $5000, then I'd be delaying my admission for a while.

My only real problem is this: of all the money I received last year in financial aid, only a fraction of it went directly to tuition. Most of it paid for books and supplies and food and rent when I couldn't work full time because I was busy going to school full time. Luckily, the above list accounts for rent, as my first term at TUJ will be in school housing. It does not, however, account for food or books or supplies. Since I'm waffling back and forth between positives and negatives, I should also mention another good thing: the admission fee (35,000¥) and the matriculation fee (415,000¥) are one-time fees. I will need to apply for a visa every year, but without those other two fees, the cost each year will be about $5000 less.

I applied for a Temple scholarship, but did not receive it. I also applied for an independent scholarship of $4000, and I expect to receive the verdict some time in June. I've got my fingers crossed, but a number of people are up for the same monies, so I'm not holding my breath. I can also reapply for different Temple scholarships next year, and I'm hopeful that I'll get one eventually. Hopefully.

I have already resigned myself to the fact that the first semester—maybe even the first year—in Japan will be difficult. I long ago decided, though, that is a hardship I am willing to bear. This is my lifelong dream, and I'm not jumping into it unprepared. I accept these difficulties as part of a package with greater benefits.

Besides. . . I'm a student. I'm used to being poor. And I'm moving to the place which invented instant ramen.