The U.S. State Department has temporarily halted federal funding for study-abroad scholarships and exchange programs, leading to significant uncertainty in the education sector.
This suspension affects key programs, such as the Fulbright Program, IDEAS Program, Gilman Scholarship, and Critical Languages Scholarships. The sudden freeze, which began on February 12 and is expected to last for 15 days, has left students and program staff in confusion.
Some Fulbright offices were directed by local embassies to pause their operations, while others briefly stopped but have since resumed, according to reports from The PIE News.
Melissa Torres, president of the Forum on Education Abroad, expressed concern, noting that while there are no signs of permanent cuts, the unexpected suspension—issued without any explanation or public statement—has unsettled the sector.
“There is no additional information, and no clear reason has been provided,” Torres said. She also mentioned that, while grantees have been contacted, no official announcement has been made. Torres warned that the funding delay could lead to layoffs in international education, impacting local communities and economies. She stressed that these grants not only support students but also help sustain staff who manage the programs.
OnlineMacha, a platform providing updates on study-abroad programs for Indian students, reported that the suspension has left many relying on these grants in a state of uncertainty. The disruption has forced students, who had based their academic plans on expected financial aid, to reconsider or even cancel their study-abroad aspirations.
The Fulbright Program, which awards over 2,200 grants annually to Indian students, may face serious disruptions. Any delay or reduction in funding could limit participation and affect cultural exchange and academic collaboration between India and the U.S. The program also supports over 2,200 U.S. students each year and brings about 4,000 international students to the U.S. for study or research.
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