[Kyushu] Scholarship Program Launched for High School Students Facing School Refusal or Social Withdrawal

A scholarship program to support diverse learning for high school-aged youth. On May 1, 2026, the Chikugo River Community Foundation (Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture) established a new named fund, the 'Onaka Genki Fund,' with a donation from Onaka Genki Group (Representative: Mr. Yuji Shiranita / 21-7 Mutsumon-cho, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture). This fund will implement a grant-type scholarship program to support the first step towards learning and employment for high school-aged youth facing difficulties such as school refusal or social withdrawal in the Chikugo River-related area, centered on Kurume City. There is support that the free high school program doesn't reach. There are children who need diverse learning environments such as correspondence high schools, support schools, and free schools. However, the government's free high school program mainly covers only 'tuition fees.' Admission fees, textbook costs, transportation expenses, support school fees, and school trip savings are borne by the students, and not a few young people are forced to give up their studies for financial reasons. We believe that regional support is needed precisely in this 'gap in the system.' The Founder's Wish. Onaka Genki Group is engaged in human resource development and employment support in the region under the philosophy of 'contributing to the self-realization of each individual through Onaka Genki activities.' On the establishment of the fund, the founder states: 'In today's world where 'knowledge' has become a key word in society, it is required for each individual to continue learning throughout their lives, including not only school education but also lifelong and social education, in order to make their lives valuable. 'School is not the only place to learn!! It is important to keep learning as long as we live!! Study & grow until the end of life!!' This is where our awareness of the issue lies. We have entrusted this fund with our wish to 'grow together' by contributing to human resource development as a collaborative team with the foundation and deepening exchanges with various people. This fund embodies a strong will for 'learning that leaves no one behind.' What the fund will do. We will provide a monthly stipend of 20,000 JPY to youth of high school age (around 15-18 years old) who use correspondence high schools, support schools, free schools, etc. It is designed to be used not only for tuition but also for: - Textbook costs - Transportation costs - Activity costs - Support school fees - Actual expenses necessary for study. In the first year, it will target about 4 students, and in the future, we aim to create a seamless support system for the entire region. We will announce the scholarship student recruitment on our website again in the future. ■Contact Information■ Chikugo River Community Foundation Location: 563 Umemitsu-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture TEL: 0942-34-5600 (Weekdays 9:30-17:00) Mail: info@c-comfund.com HP: https://c-comfund.com/