Taiwan Scholarships & TOCFL
Both Taiwan government scholarship programs give explicit preference to applicants with TOCFL Band B or higher. Here is what they are, what they require, and how to prepare.
NT$25,000
Huayu monthly stipend
≈ USD $800/month
NT$15,000–20,000
MOE monthly stipend
UG / Graduate
TOCFL Band B
preference threshold
both scholarships
Feb–Apr
application window
varies by country
MOE Taiwan Scholarship
The Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship funds full degree programs at Taiwanese universities — undergraduate, master's, and PhD. It is the flagship scholarship for students who want to study in Taiwan long-term.
| Type | Degree program |
| Tuition | Full coverage |
| UG Stipend | NT$15,000/month |
| Graduate Stipend | NT$20,000/month |
| Duration | Full degree length |
| Language requirement | TOCFL Band B (preferred) |
| Application | Feb–Mar via representative office |
What it covers
- — Full tuition at your admitted Taiwanese university
- — Monthly living stipend (NT$15,000 undergraduate, NT$20,000 graduate)
- — Applies to all accredited Taiwanese universities and degree programs
- — Renewable annually subject to satisfactory academic progress
Huayu Enrichment Scholarship
The Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) funds Mandarin language study only — not degree programs. It is administered through Taiwan Education Centers (TECs) in each country and is the most accessible path to funded study at MTC.
| Type | Language study only |
| Stipend | NT$25,000/month |
| Duration | 3–12 months |
| Schools covered | MTC, ICLP, TLI, other registered centers |
| Language requirement | TOCFL Band B (preferred) |
| Application | Jan–Apr via local TEC |
Who it is for
- — Students who want to study at MTC, ICLP, or a registered language center without enrolling in a degree
- — Applicants who want to build language proficiency before applying for degree admission
- — Students in countries with active Taiwan Education Center programs (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, and many others)
- — Learners targeting TOCFL Band B within 6–12 months of arrival
The TOCFL Requirement
Both scholarship programs state explicitly that TOCFL Band B or higher is preferred. In practice, in competitive applicant pools, this preference functions as a minimum.
Band A (A1–A2)
Accepted in some lower-competition countries. Not recommended if applying from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, or the Philippines, where competition is high.
Band B (B1–B2)
The explicit preference threshold for both scholarships. Reaching Band B Level 4 (B2) significantly strengthens your application over Band B Level 3 (B1).
Band C (C1–C2)
Exceptional applicants with Band C stand out strongly. Rare among applicants — most students target Band B for scholarship applications.
Why TOCFL specifically
Taiwan scholarships require TOCFL — not HSK. HSK (China's proficiency test) uses Simplified characters and Mainland vocabulary, and is not recognised by Taiwan's Ministry of Education for scholarship purposes. If you have an HSK certificate, it will not satisfy the TOCFL preference. Prepare with Taiwan-aligned materials from the start.
TOCFL vs HSK explained →The Preparation Timeline
Scholarship applications typically open February–April. Working backwards from that deadline:
18+ months before deadline
Start Mandarin study
Begin with Dangdai Book 1 and vocabulary spaced repetition. 18 months gives you a comfortable runway to reach Band B.
12 months before deadline
Aim for TOCFL Band A
Band A (A1-A2, Dangdai Books 1-2) is the foundation. Sitting Band A at 12 months validates your progress and builds exam experience.
6 months before deadline
Begin Band B preparation
Dangdai Books 3-4 territory. Increase listening practice with native Taiwanese content. Begin practice tests for the Band B format.
2–3 months before deadline
Sit TOCFL Band B
Take Band B with enough time to retake if needed. Most scholarships accept results from up to 2 years prior.
Application window (Feb–Apr)
Submit with TOCFL certificate
Include your TOCFL score report, study plan (mentioning TOCFL target if retaking), recommendation letters, and transcripts.
How to Apply
Required Documents
- — Academic transcripts (official, translated if not in English or Chinese)
- — TOCFL certificate (Band B or above strongly recommended)
- — Study plan or personal statement (explain your Taiwan goals)
- — 2–3 recommendation letters from professors or employers
- — Valid passport copy
- — Health certificate (some scholarships require it)
- — Portfolio or additional documents per scholarship type
Where to Apply
Applications go through your country's Taiwan representative office (the equivalent of a Taiwan embassy) or the nearest Taiwan Education Center (TEC).
TECs exist in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, India, and many other countries. They manage the national application process and may have country-specific deadlines that differ from the MOE's general timeline.
Contact your local TEC or representative office directly to confirm current deadlines, quotas, and any country-specific requirements. Deadlines and quota sizes vary significantly between countries.
TOCFL Preparation Resources
TOCFL Vocabulary Lists
Free Band A–C word lists. The vocabulary you need to pass — downloadable and searchable.
TOCFL Band Guide
What each band tests, how long it takes to reach it, and the Dangdai alignment.
HSK vs TOCFL
Why HSK certification does not satisfy TOCFL requirements — and how the two tests differ.
Start Building Band B Now
Zhong Chinese is built for the TOCFL path — Dangdai curriculum alignment, Traditional characters, Taipei-accented audio, and FSRS-powered spaced repetition to keep your retention high through scholarship application season.