Thousands of international students in the United States are now facing an uncertain future following the suspension of several major scholarship programs, including Fulbright. The U.S. State Department has halted federal funding for these initiatives, leaving students without financial support.
Halyna Morozova, a Ukrainian international student enrolled at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under the Fulbright program, shared her concerns with ABC News. Instead of receiving a full month’s financial aid, she was given only one week’s worth of funding.
Morozova, who teaches the Ukrainian language at the university, was informed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) that her usual monthly grant of $750 had been reduced to just $187.50. She expressed deep concern about her ability to continue her studies in the U.S. due to the uncertainty surrounding her financial support.
Another affected student, Frida Larios from California State University, found out about the funding suspension while already in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the Gilman scholarship program. Larios had expected to receive about $3,000 for her trip but has since been left in financial limbo, as reported by the New York Times.
The U.S. State Department announced in February that it was temporarily halting grant funding, affecting various study-abroad scholarships and government exchange programs. Although the funding was initially set to resume on February 27, it remains suspended, prolonging uncertainty for students and scholars.
According to the Fulbright Association, this suspension has directly impacted over 12,500 U.S. nationals who are either currently abroad or preparing for international exchange programs. Additionally, another 7,400 foreign nationals studying in the U.S. are expected to be affected by the funding freeze.
“The freeze on State Department grant programs threatens the survival of study abroad and international exchange programs that are essential to U.S. economic and national security,” the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) stated in a press release.