US Slashes $100m in Study Abroad and Exchange Programmes
2 Min Read
The United States has cancelled funding worth $100 million for at least 22 international exchange and study abroad programmes, sparking concern across the education sector. The decision, announced internally by the State Department on 13th August, affects cultural and educational initiatives that were already approved by Congress for the 2025 fiscal year.
The directive from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) cited “lower funding priorities in the current fiscal environment” as the reason for termination. However, stakeholders argue the move undermines decades of work in strengthening the US global ties through education and cultural diplomacy.
Programmes that impacted includes; the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) scheme, the Mandela Washington Fellowship, and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, among others. Collectively, these initiatives support around 10,000 students annually and are widely regarded as central to the US soft power.
“This is an existential crisis for these programmes and possibly for ECA itself,” said Mark Overmann, executive director of the Alliance for International Exchange, which represents 13 of the affected schemes. He warned that sudden funding cuts could trigger layoffs, furloughs, and even closures of long-standing organisations.
Bill Gertz, chairman of the American Institute for Foreign Study, described the cancellations as “devastating”, adding: “It means students’ plans and dreams are impacted, and it means disruption at cultural exchange organisations which have worked tirelessly to make the world a better place.”
The decision has raised constitutional questions, with critics claiming that the White House’s Office of Management and Budget improperly overrode Congress’s authority to allocate funds. Some stakeholders argue the move could set a dangerous precedent for future international exchange budgets.
Leaders in the sector have launched campaigns urging Congress to intervene, warning that dismantling programmes would erode more than 75 years of cultural exchange, including the legacy of the Fulbright initiative.
For now, the cuts have shocked the US study abroad community and prompted fears of long-term diplomatic isolation at a time when cultural understanding is considered more vital than ever.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
Top Stories
Schengen Visa to Go Digital: EU to Launch Biometric Entry System from October 12
August 1, 2025 | By Jace
University of Glasgow Announces €18,750 MBA Scholarship for 2025 Intake
July 29, 2025 | By Henry
Future of Over 7,000 Indian Students in North Carolina at Risk Amid US Visa Delays
July 28, 2025 | By AahanaMore Articles
SAT & TOEFL Olympiad 2025 Registrations Open for Classes 9–12
Registrations are now open for the SAT & TOEFL Olympiad 2025, offering students in Grades…
By Henry
Surge in Chinese Students as UK University Acceptances Rise by 13%
The number of Chinese undergraduates accepted into UK universities has surged by 13% in the past…
By Siya
UAE emerges as MENA’s leading study hub as global interest surges
The United Arab Emirates has cemented its position as the Middle East and North Africa’s most…
By Daniel
Chevening Scholarships 2026–27 Applications Open for Indian Students
The application window for the prestigious Chevening Scholarships 2026–27 is now open, offering…
By Advay
Berlitz Dublin Joins ILSC Education Group in First European Acquisition
ILSC Education Group, a global leader in language education and vocational training, has…
By Kai
Vietnam Announces 45-Day Visa Waiver for Citizens of 12 Countries
Vietnam has introduced a new visa-free entry policy allowing citizens from 12 countries to stay for up to 45 days…
By Ezra
US to Scrap ‘Dropbox’ Visa Renewals from September 2, 2025
The United States will end its ‘Dropbox’ visa renewal option, officially known as the Interview Waiver Program, for…
By Henry
New Zealand Targets Major International Education Growth with Cautious Approach
New Zealand has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its international education sector, aiming to boost…
By Kai
Malaysia Emerges as Rising Hub for International Students
Malaysia is rapidly transforming into a major education destination, recording a 26% rise in international…
By Neerav
US Student Visa Time Limit Rule Nears Final Approval
The United States is moving closer to implementing fixed time limits on international student visas…
By Vaidant
Japan Plans to Ease University Enrolment Limits to Attract More International Students
Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has unveiled plans to relax enrolment…
By Aahana
New Zealand to Increase Work Hours for International Students from 2025
New Zealand will raise the limit on in-study work hours for international students from…
By Jace
UK Universities Warn of £620m Hit from International Student Levy
UK universities could collectively lose more than £620 million annually if the government…
By Daniel
Australia Expands Accepted English Language Tests for Visa Applications
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has widened the list of recognised English language…
By Siya
Australia Raises Cap on International Student Enrolments for 2025–26
In a bid to strengthen its position as a global education hub, Australia has raised its cap on…
By Ezra
UK Labour Shortages Shaping International Student Choices, Study Reveals
United Kingdom labour shortages in key sectors such as healthcare and IT are significantly…
By Advay
Saudi Arabia’s Private K-12 Education Sector Booming, Says Deputy Minister
Saudi Arabia’s private K-12 education sector is witnessing rapid growth, with demand for…
By Henry
Canada Sees 48% Plunge in Study Visas as Enrolment Cap Bites
Canada has witnessed a dramatic 48% drop in the number of new study permits issued in 2024, marking a significant…
By Kai
Nigerian Students Hit by New 3-Month, Single-Entry US Visa Rule
Nigeria is among 26 countries affected by a recent US State Department decision to reduce the validity and entry…
By Neerav
Australia to Raise International Student Enrolment Cap to 295,000 in 2026
Australia has announced an increase in its international student enrolment cap to 295,000 for 2026, allowing an additional…
By Advay
Schengen Visa to Go Digital: EU to Launch Biometric Entry System from October 12
The European Union is set to revolutionise travel across its borders with the introduction of a digital…
By Jace
UAE Teachers Receive Advanced Training in Russia to Boost Education Reforms
A group of elite educators from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently completed a specialist training programme…
By Ezra
India-UK Vision 2035 Set to Transform Education Landscape
In a landmark move, India and the United Kingdom have signed a £6 billion trade deal, with the India-UK Vision 2035…
By Ezra
Canada Adds Officer Notes to Visa Refusals, But Experts Urge Caution
In a significant shift towards greater transparency, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has begun…
By Siya
Egyptian Universities Sign Landmark Agreement with University of Louisville
In a significant step towards strengthening its global academic footprint, Egypt has entered into 12 co-operation agreements with…
By Vaidant
USCIS Director Proposes Wage-Based Overhaul of H-1B Visa Programme
The United States may soon see sweeping changes to its H-1B skilled worker visa system, as the new director of US Citizenship and…
By Daniel
University of Glasgow Announces €18,750 MBA Scholarship for 2025 Intake
The University of Glasgow, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious institutions, has launched the Glasgow MBA…
By Henry
UK and Australian Universities to Launch New Campuses in India Amid Education Expansion
In a landmark move reflecting India’s growing appeal as a global education hub, four international universities from…
By Aahana
Canada Faces Deepening Decline in International Student Numbers
Canada’s international education sector is facing a growing crisis as new figures confirm a sharper-than-expected drop in…
By Advay
US Faces $7 Billion Hit Due to Drop in International Students
The United States is poised to suffer a staggering $7 billion economic loss this year as visa appointment delays and…
By Kai
UK Mandates eVisas for International Students and Foreign Workers from July 2025
The United Kingdom has announced a major shift in its visa system, making eVisas mandatory for international…
By Jace
Future of Over 7,000 Indian Students in North Carolina at Risk Amid US Visa Delays
More than 7,000 Indian students enrolled in North Carolina universities face an uncertain future as the United States grapples…
By Aahana
Australia Earns $50 Billion Net from International Students, Says RBA
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has estimated a staggering AUD $50 billion net gain from international students, underlining…
By Ezra
US Lawmakers Urge Rubio to Resolve Indian Student Visa Delays Amid Growing Backlog
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to urgently resolve visa processing delays…
By Siya
French Business School KEDGE to Launch Associated Campus in India by 2025
In a significant step toward global expansion, France’s prestigious KEDGE Business School has announced plans to launch its…
By Daniel
London Metropolitan University Exits Bangladesh Amid Stricter UK Visa Compliance Rules
London Metropolitan University has announced its decision to withdraw from the Bangladeshi student recruitment market…
By Siya
Strategic Investments Drive MENA Universities Up in QS World Rankings
Universities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have made major strides in the 2026 QS World University…
By Advay
Malaysia Redirects US-Bound Students Amid Visa Chaos and Rising Uncertainty
Malaysia has redirected over 130 students away from the United States to alternative study destinations, citing ongoing…
By Kai
US Launches Investigation into Harvard’s Exchange Visitor Programme
The United States has launched a federal investigation into Harvard University’s continued eligibility to participate in the…
By Henry
India and China Responsible for 60% of US Student Visa Decline in May 2025
The United States has seen a significant year-on-year decline in international student visa issuance, with…
By Neerav
Australia May Cut Student Visa Fees for Short-Term Study Programs Amid Sector Struggles
Australia’s international education sector is pushing for urgent reforms as the country’s recently…
By Vaidant
US Sees 22% Drop in Student Visas as Policy Shifts Spark Global Concern
The United States is facing a significant downturn in international student visa issuance, with…
By Aahana
University of Sheffield Opens Applications for BSc Computer Science (AI) for September 2026 Intake
The University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom has officially opened applications for its…
By Siya
Finland and India Nearing Landmark Mobility Agreement to Boost Skilled Migration
India and Finland are on track to finalise a landmark agreement that will ease mobility…
By Henry
Canada Announces Federal Audit of International Student Program to Restore Trust and Oversight
The Canadian government has announced a federal audit of its International Student Program in a…
By Kai
Malvern International Partners with Liverpool Hope University to Launch Pathway Programmes by 2026
Malvern International has announced a strategic five-year partnership with Liverpool Hope…
By Neerav
Australian University Networks Propose New Vision for International Education
Two major Australian university consortia – the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) and the Regional Universities…
By Jace
Record Number of Chinese Students Apply to UK Universities Through UCAS
The United Kingdom has witnessed a record surge in Chinese undergraduate applications this year, according to the…
By Henry
University of Southampton’s India Campus Attracts Global Interest Ahead of August 2025 Launch
The University of Southampton has received more than 800 applications, including from Nepal, Myanmar, and the UAE for its…
By Aahana
Record Number of Chinese Students Apply to UK Universities Through UCAS
The United Kingdom has witnessed a record surge in Chinese undergraduate applications this year, according to the latest…
By Advay
US Study Abroad Secures Key Victory Against Proposed Federal Funding Cuts
The United States has taken a decisive step in safeguarding its federal funding for international educational and cultural exchange…
By Daniel
London Mayor Slams Proposed Levy on International Student Tuition Fees
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has voiced strong opposition to the UK government’s proposal to introduce a levy on international…
By Ezra
New Zealand Eases Immigration Rules to Attract More International Students
New Zealand is set to roll out a series of major immigration reforms aimed at making the country a top destination for…
By Jace
Dubai Expands Global Education Reach with Three New University Campuses
Dubai has taken a major step towards solidifying its position as a global education hub, announcing the addition of three…
By Aahana
Canada’s Language Sector Suffers 15% Drop Amid Visa Policy Shifts
Canada’s language education sector has taken a significant hit, with student numbers falling by 15% in…
By Neerav
Seoul Dethrones London as World’s Best Student City in QS 2026 Rankings
London has lost its long-held crown as the world’s top student city, with Seoul taking the number one spot in the latest QS…
By Vaidant
PTE Academic Improvements ( Near- term August 2025)
1. New Real-World Speaking Tasks Announced “Respond to a Situation”: Candidates will be given a situation and asked to…
By Sunithi
US Colleges Brace for Drop in International Enrolment Amid Policy Uncertainty
US universities are preparing for a potential decline in international student enrolments for…
By Advay
Ireland Hosts Record 128,000+ English Language Students in 2024, Injecting €792 Million into Economy
Ireland’s English Language Education (ELE) sector welcomed a record 128,761 international students…
By Siya
New Zealand Unveils Growth Plan to Attract 35,000 More International Students by 2034
New Zealand has launched an ambitious 10-year strategy to boost international student numbers by…
By Daniel
Australia Hikes Student Visa Fee to AUD 2,000, Becomes Costliest Study Destination
Australia has raised its student visa application fee for Subclass 500 from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000, effective…
By Kai
Glasgow Caledonian University Pauses International Recruitment Amid Compliance Concerns
Glasgow Caledonian University has temporarily suspended international student recruitment for several…
By Ezra
Pearson Upgrades PTE Academic with New Speaking Tasks and Stricter AI Scoring from August 2025
Pearson has announced key updates to the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, introducing two new speaking…
By Siya
Canada Raises Financial Requirement for International Students Starting September 2025
Canada has announced an increase in its cost-of-living financial requirement for international students, raising the threshold to…
By Advay
US Escalates Subpoena Battle with Harvard Over International Student Records
The United States has intensified its legal standoff with Harvard University, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally…
By Jace
US Corrects Data Error After 200,000 International Students Overlooked
The United States has admitted to a significant federal data error that undercounted over 200,000 international students in…
By Aahana
UK Study Raises Alarms Over “Less Traditional” English Language Tests
A new study by the Universities of Dundee and Cambridge has sparked debate across the…
By Aahana
Trump Administration Reconsiders Time Limits for US Student Visas
The United States may soon reintroduce fixed time limits on international student visas, ending the current…
By Ezra
Denmark Expands Positive List for Foreign Workers from 1 July 2025
Denmark has announced a major update to its Positive List for foreign workers, increasing the number of eligible job roles…
By Daniel
UK Home Office Explores Remote Testing Options for £680m HOELT Tender
The UK Home Office has launched a fresh round of market engagement for its upcoming Home Office English Language Test…
By Neerav
Kazakhstan Emerges as Global Education Hub with Surge in International Campuses
Kazakhstan is fast becoming a new hotspot for international higher education as universities from across the globe prepare…
By Kai
Italy to Issue 500,000 Work Permits for Foreign Nationals Between 2026 and 2028
In a significant move to address labour shortages and demographic decline, Italy has announced plans to issue…
By Vaidant
Norway Proposes Fee Flexibility for Non-European Students Amid Enrolment Drop
In response to a steep decline in international enrolments, the Norwegian government has proposed giving universities and colleges…
By Siya
France’s ESCP Business School Launches New Schools, Deepens India Ties
France’s ESCP Business School has announced a major expansion plan under its 2026–2030 Bold & United…
By Advay
JGU Signs MoUs with Cambridge Colleges to Launch Study Abroad Programmes
India’s O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has formalised strategic partnerships with two colleges of…
By Kai
Visa Denials Top the List of Challenges for US English Language Sector
Despite slight growth in student numbers, visa denials have emerged as the leading challenge facing the US English Language…
By Jace
Japan’s Study Abroad Numbers Rebound in 2024, Australia Leads as US Interest Declines
Japan’s outbound study abroad figures have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Japan Association of Overseas…
By Vaidant
Duolingo Launches UK Welcome Project to Support Displaced International Students
In response to rising visa delays and geopolitical disruptions impacting student mobility, Duolingo English Test (DET) has launched…
By Neerav
Australia Launches Interim Tertiary Education Commission to Drive Long-Term Reform
In a significant policy shift, the Australian Government has officially launched the interim Australian Tertiary Education…
By Daniel
India Calls for Fairness as US Tightens Student Visa Screening
India has urged the United States to ensure fair treatment of Indian nationals following Washington’s recent directive to intensify…
By Henry
Australia Hikes Student Visa Fee to AUD$2,000, Sparking Sector-Wide Concerns
The Australian government has increased its student visa application fee to AUD$2,000, solidifying its position as the most expensive…
By Kai
Monash University, Australia, Announces 2025 International Leadership Scholarship for Global Students
Monash University, Australia, has opened applications for its prestigious Monash International Leadership Scholarship, aimed at…
By Aahana
Harvard Partners with University of Toronto to Protect International Students Amid US Visa Uncertainty
Harvard University has announced a contingency partnership with the University of Toronto to safeguard international students’ academic…
By Advay
CBSE Announces Twice-a-Year Class 10 Board Exams Starting 2025 Under NEP Reform
In a major reform aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced…
By Ezra
Canada Revises PGWP Eligibility List, Removing 180 Fields of Study
In a fresh policy update, the Government of Canada has revised the list of programmes eligible for the coveted Post-Graduation…
By Jace
New Zealand Relaxes Visa Rules for Degree Holders from India and Eight Other Nations
In a significant boost to international mobility, New Zealand has updated its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), easing immigration…
By Siya
UAE’s New Study Abroad Criteria Raise Concerns Over Ranking-Driven Restrictions
The United Arab Emirates has introduced stricter study abroad regulations for Emirati students, tying eligibility for overseas…
By Daniel
Legal Battle Rekindled Over US Student Visa Revocations
A fresh legal challenge has been launched against the United States government over its sweeping revocation of international student visas and SEVIS…
By Henry
University of Strathclyde Opens Applications for MRes in Mathematical Sciences for September 2025
The University of Strathclyde, based in Glasgow, Scotland, is now accepting applications for its one-year…
By Jace
Malaysia’s New 6% Service Tax on Private Education to Impact International Students
Malaysia will implement a 6% service tax on private education for international students…
By Advay
Spain Offers Fast-Track Visas to International Students Affected by U.S. Visa Policies
In a strategic bid to position itself as a global education hub, Spain has unveiled a fast-track…
By Ezra
Canada Mulls Tweaks to Study Permit Cap as Sector Faces Job Losses and Financial Strain
The Canadian government is considering potential adjustments to its controversial cap on…
By Henry
Trump Reassures Chinese Students Amid Visa Crackdown Concerns
In a surprising shift in tone, former US President Donald Trump has declared that…
By Vaidant
US Tightens Social Media Screening for Student Visa Applicants
In a move drawing sharp criticism from immigration experts, the United States has…
By Neerav
India–Canada Diplomatic Reset Boosts Student Confidence, Sparks Surge in Canadian College
The recent improvements in diplomatic tensions between India and Canada has reignited student interest in Canadian universities, with…
By Siya
Uzbekistan Offers Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships to Indian Students in Tourism and Heritage
The Republic of Uzbekistan has announced five fully funded scholarships exclusively for…
By Jace
Uzbekistan Announces Fully-Funded Master’s Scholarships for Indian Students
The Republic of Uzbekistan has opened applications for five fully-funded scholarships exclusively for…
By Daniel
Five International Universities to Open Campuses in Mumbai
In a major development for India’s transnational education (TNE) landscape, five international universities…
By Kai
US Resumes Student Visa Interviews
The United States has resumed student visa interviews globally after a nearly four-week…
By Henry
IIT Delhi, Bombay Among Top 130 in QS World University Rankings 2026
India Rises in QS World University Rankings 2026 as IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay Enter Global…
By Ezra