China Government Scholarship

Since September 2008 through the goodwill of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, the Department of Asian Studies at Williams College has been invited to nominate two Williams students to receive a “Chinese Government Scholarship” to study in China.

The scholarship allows two Williams students to study either Mandarin language in a university-affiliated language training center, or a major field in a degree-granting program (either in Chinese or in English), at one of the 115 universities and colleges located all over China which are approved by CSC. Students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in China should apply for those programs separately. (Please note that American-run language programs in China such as ACC, CET, or PIB are not eligible.) The recipient of the scholarship will be entitled to a tuition waiver (ranging from RMB ¥20,000 to ¥32,000 depending on the program), and be exempt from all school-related expenses (including fees and costs for registration, application, lab, textbooks, and dorm room). The recipient will also receive a monthly stipend in the amount of RMB¥1,400 (enough to support all of your daily meals and basic needs as a student), a one-time relocation allowance of RMB¥1,000, and free comprehensive medical insurance. Applicants should note that international airfare, visa application fees, and miscellaneous expenses are not included.

Basic eligibility requirements for students interested in applying for the scholarship are:

  1. Must not be a citizen of the People’s Republic of China
  2. Currently a student at Williams College (including graduating seniors)

While any student who meets the above basic requirements is eligible to apply, priority will be given to seniors, Chinese or Asian Studies majors, and those students who have taken Chinese language through the 400 level. In the case of rising juniors who wish to go to China for junior year abroad, it is important to coordinate with the Dean’s Office concerning accredited schools in China and the minimum number of class hours weekly that is required in order for credit to be granted.

To apply for the scholarship, please prepare a one-page statement in English and print out a copy of your current transcript and place them in Professor Li Yu’s mailbox in the Hollander Hall Faculty Mailroom by 4 PM, Thursday, January 28th (only hard copies accepted; no email submissions please). In the statement, discuss your reasons for applying and how studying in China relates to your future study and career plans. Since this is a guaranteed scholarship, please also indicate how committed you are to this scholarship if awarded. You are strongly encouraged to discuss this scholarship with your family members before you apply since this will involve an extended period of overseas travel. The faculty members in the Chinese Program expect to identify the top candidates by the beginning of Spring Semester. The top candidates who are committed to the scholarship will need to fill out all the paperwork, which must be forwarded to the Consulate General of People’s Republic of China in New York by February 15th. Students who have questions about the scholarship or studying in China should contact Professor Yu via e-mail at [email protected] or arrange a meeting with her during WSP.