Taiwan Scholarship (Ministry of Education)

Taiwan's Ministry of Education (MOE) scholarships come in two kinds: the Taiwan Scholarship for a full degree, and the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) for studying Mandarin Chinese for two months to a year.

Each has its own page on ForsaEdu with criteria, documents and benefits. This guide covers what they share: how they differ, applying through the Taiwan office in your country, language, life after arrival and common mistakes.

The two scholarships at a glance

From the official comparison table updated on 10 February 2026. Airfare, housing and insurance are not covered by either scholarship.

You cannot hold two scholarships from the Taiwanese government or its universities at once. The total award period per student cannot exceed 5 years, and it cannot be extended.

Who can apply

• Foreign nationals: citizens of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, and Taiwanese passport holders, are not eligible.
• An excellent academic record and good character.
• You must not have had the same scholarship at the same level before.
• Your country must be one the Ministry designates, and you apply through the Taiwan office responsible for your country.

There is a third scholarship from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), but it is only for countries with official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Applying through the Taiwan office

There is no central online application: you apply through Taiwan's representative office in your country (embassy or economic and cultural office), or the office that covers your country if there is none.

Taiwan Scholarship steps, as the Ministry describes them:

1. Send the scholarship application to the Taiwan office, and apply separately for admission to a Taiwanese university.
2. Attend an interview at the office.
3. Give the office a copy of your admission letter.
4. The office issues your scholarship certificate.
5. Travel to Taiwan and register at the university.
6. The university pays the monthly allowance.

Each office sets its own deadline and number of awards, so check your country's Taiwan office page early. University admission results usually come by the end of July, and the scholarship starts on 1 September.

Chinese: the requirement many miss

• If your programme is not entirely in English, you must submit a TOCFL Level 3 result or higher.
• If the test isn't offered in your country, you take it in Taiwan at your own expense before the end of the first semester. The listening and reading fee is NT$1,600.
• For the HES, you must attend at least 15 hours a week of language courses to be paid.

So choose an English-taught programme if you don't speak Chinese, or start with the HES and then apply for the degree scholarship.

After you arrive

• Bring money for the first month or two. The allowance is paid mid-month, the first payment may be late, and fees are due at the start of the semester.
• Get your Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) within 15 days of arrival, or pay a fine starting at NT$2,000. Report an address change within 15 days too.
• Health insurance is at your own cost: travel insurance for the first 4 months, then National Health Insurance after 6 months of residence.
• Housing is not guaranteed: some universities don't provide it, so ask yours before arriving.
• The allowance depends on attendance and grades. Failing the minimum for two consecutive semesters ends the scholarship permanently.

Common mistakes

• Waiting for the scholarship before applying to a university: university admission is a separate application you must make yourself.
• Choosing a Chinese-taught programme without preparing for TOCFL.
• Combining the Taiwan Scholarship with another university scholarship, which cancels it permanently.
• Getting the ARC late, or changing its purpose away from "Study".
• Travelling with no savings for the first months, or no travel insurance.

For references, read the recommendation letters guide, and for English tests, IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo?.