2013 Huayu Enrichment Scholarship
Taiwan Ministry of Education

1. Purpose
To encourage international students (excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao SAR students) to undertake Mandarin language (Huayu) courses in the Republic of China (Taiwan), in order to provide them with opportunities to increase their understanding of Taiwanese culture and society, and to promote mutual understanding and interactions between Taiwan and the international community.

2. Award Value
A monthly stipend of 25,000 NTD.

3. Duration
Huayu Enrichment courses will include summer classes, along with short term classes, which may last 3, 6 or 9 months to a year respectively. In principle, the duration of the scholarship is from September 1 to August 31 of the following year. If recipients fail to arrive in Taiwan for enrollment in this period, they will forfeit the right to retain the scholarship. Scholarship funding will become effective on the date of the recipient’s enrollment. Scholarship funding will end on the month of the expiration of the scholarship or if the scholarship is revoked.

4. Availabilities
The Ministry of Education will provide notification of available openings for the next year to embassies, missions, representative offices and other overseas agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before December 31.

5. Eligibility
International applicants above the age of 18, who possess a high school diploma or higher, excellent academic performance, and are of good moral character may apply. Candidates with one of the following qualifications may not apply.

a. Overseas Chinese students or a national of the R.O.C.

b. Students currently registered at a Mandarin Language Center or in a degree program at any university or college in Taiwan.

c. Individuals who have already received a HES or a Taiwan scholarship in the past.

d. Exchange students to Taiwan during the scholarship period.

e. Individuals currently receiving financial benefits from the Taiwan government or other educational institutions.

6. Application
Applicants need to submit the following documents to local embassies or missions before the announced deadline (In principle, the annual application period is from February 1 through March 31. The actual application period will be determined in accordance with the general regulations of local Taiwan Representative Offices.)

a. An application form (provided by local embassies or missions)
b. Photocopies of his/her passport or any other documents that can verify the nationality of the applicant.
c. Photocopies of the certificate of the highest academic credential and transcript.
d. Photocopies of the application to the Mandarin Language Center.

e. Other documents required by local embassies or missions.

7. Selection Procedure
a. Selections are made in accordance with the announcement by embassies and missions. These processes may include either a document review, a personal interview or both.
b. If a successful candidate has waived his/her right to a scholarship before arriving in Taiwan, his/her position will be filled by the next eligible candidate, as determined by the local Taiwan Representative Office. All substitutions must occur by November 1.

8. Payment Procedure
After completing registration procedures at a recognized Mandarin Language Center in Taiwan, scholarship recipients will receive all disbursements from their selected study center. Recipients should review the requirements for payment with their individual centers as procedures may vary; in some instances, recipients may need to open a bank account in Taiwan in order to receive funding.

9. Terms and conditions
A. Recipient
a. The recipient should study at a registered Mandarin Language Center approved by the MOE.
b. The recipient must apply for admission according to the regulations of the center. Once admitted, the recipient should send a photocopy of the admission letter to the local embassy or mission before June 30 for confirmation. Recipients who do not send their documents before the deadline will be disqualified from the scholarship selection process.
c. The recipient should undertake at least 15 hours of language courses each week. This does not include cultural visits, speeches, and other self-study curricula or activities.
d. After the first semester (quarter), recipients of a maximum one year scholarship can request a one-time-only transfer to another Mandarin Language Center with the permission of their original Mandarin Language Center. Recipients of the summer session, 3 months, 6 months or 9 months scholarships may not apply for a transfer.
e. If the recipient concurrently holds scholarships from other sources, he/she will lose their placement in the scholarship program. He/she will also have to return the funds granted for those months he/she received multiple scholarships.
f. The termination and cancellation of a scholarship based on regulations specified by each individual Mandarin Language Center. Mandarin Language Centers have the right to terminate or revoke a scholarship if the recipient’s academic performance, moral character, or attendance record are not up to standards.
g. Recipients of a six month or longer scholarship are obligated to join the National Health Insurance Program. Before joining, recipients should purchase student accident insurance and other relevant insurance. Insurance fees can be deducted by the Mandarin Language Centers from the monthly stipend before disbursing to recipients.
h. Recipients of a nine month or longer scholarship must participate in the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) (Basic/Learner Level) if they did not submit a TOCFL certificate or transcript when they applied. Failure to do so will cost the recipient a month’s grant subsidy. Additionally, recipients must pay for TOCFL on their own. The latest date for submitting a valid TOCFL document is one month prior to the completion of their study term.

B. Mandarin Language Centers under Universities.
a. Mandarin Language Centers should accept international students according to their own criteria and notify the applicants before June 15.
b. Mandarin Language Centers should arrange for recipients of a nine month or longer scholarship to participate in TOCFL. The recipients will pay for their own test fees.
c. The Mandarin Language Centers that accept a transfer recipient student should contact the agencies appointed by the MOE, request for the rest of the scholarship grant, and notify the related embassy or mission, the recipient and the MOE. The Mandarin Language Center that authorized the transfer should return the unused funds to the MOE.
d. Scholarships that have been revoked must follow regulations: the Mandarin Language Center should clearly state the reason and the effective date of the termination or suspension, the unused scholarship grant should be returned to the MOE. In the meantime, the center should notify the Bureau of Consular Affairs, National Immigration Agency, the embassy or mission concerned, the recipient affected, and the agencies appointed by the MOE. Scholarships will be revoked under one or more of the following circumstances:

a) Scholarships will be suspended for one month if recipients have missed 12 hours or more of their language courses within a single month.
b) Starting from the first semester (quarter), if the recipient fails to obtain the specified standard score by the university (an average of 80 points out of 100), his/her scholarship will be suspended for a month in the next semester (quarter). If the recipient fails to obtain the standard score (an average of 80 points out of 100) for two consecutive semesters (quarters), he/she will be disqualified from receiving the scholarship.
c) The recipient of a nine month or longer scholarship must hand in a

Basic/Learner Level or above TOCFL certificate before the end of the scholarship term. If he/she fails to do so, the scholarship will be suspended for a month.

d) Any recipient missing a final achievement score for any semester (quarter) will be disqualified from receiving the scholarship with the exception of a serious illness or accident.
e) The recipient will not continue to receive the scholarship if he/she violates R.O.C. law.
f) The scholarship will be suspended or revoked if the recipient violates University or Mandarin Language Center regulations.

e. After the recipient has completed the registration process, the Mandarin Language Center concerned should either hold an orientation or employ alternative methods to explain regulations related to suspension and cancellation to the recipient. It should also grant the monthly allowance on time and pay attention to any suspension or cancellation of the scholarship.
f. Mandarin Language Centers should compile a list of recipients who did not register in time and send copies to the agency appointed by the MOE, the related embassies or missions, and the R.O.C. Immigration office.
g. Mandarin Language Centers should allocate an office or staff to keep in contact with recipients, along with providing guidance and assistance at their school and for their daily life.
h. Mandarin Language Centers should arrange at least 15 hours of language courses for the recipients per week. This does not include cultural visits, speeches, self-study curricula or activities.

C. Embassies and Missions
a. Embassies and missions should issue official Grant Certificates to recipients. Recipients who are not admitted into universities or MOE affiliates will automatically become disqualified. Recipient information should be uploaded to the Taiwan Huayu Scholarship Information Platform. Paper copies of the recipient information should be sent to the designated agency appointed by the MOE, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Immigration Office, the related Mandarin Language Centers, the MOE and the Department of Consular Affairs at embassies or missions.
b. Embassies and missions should actively promote the scholarship program, offer information regarding the study in Taiwan program and help with the application and selection process. Embassies and missions should also help recipients with their visas and remind them to sign the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship written promise and understanding sheet (Terms of Agreement).
c. Embassies and missions should hold orientations to explain related regulations, important notices for the Alien Residence Certificate (ARC), the ban on working for profit, along with additional information needed to live and study in Taiwan.
d. Embassies and missions should stay in contact with recipients who have completed the project and returned to their home countries, in order to facilitate events and meetings to share experiences. This will allow the recipients to share what they have learned and how they felt about the project for future reference.

As a reminder, the application is due on or before Wednesday April 3 in the Foreign Language Center (100 Hagerty Hall) to the attention of Diane Birckbichler.