New schemes for student finance? What are the changes to visas? Will international students go elsewhere?

New plans for student finance? What’s happening with visas? Will international students go elsewhere? Let’s take a look. What’s happening with visas?

A top concern among international students is the possibility of the Trump administration changing student visa policies.

Donald Trump's controversial proposals, such as a wall separating the United States and Mexico and a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States, could affect the plans of many international students if passed. As concerns grew over recent terrorist attacks, Trump's running mate Mike Pence said he and Trump were "very, very clear on the issue of suspending immigration from countries threatened by terrorism."

As a result, international students from countries considered "threatened by terrorism" may be denied entry to the United States. Additionally, Trump has called for “ideological screening tests” as a form of “extreme vetting” of immigrants.

It is worth noting, however, that in August 2015, Trump tweeted in support of international students in the United States: “When foreigners attend our great universities and want to stay in the United States, they don’t Should be kicked out of our country”? New program for student aid?

It is unclear whether the Trump administration will change funding opportunities for international students, as during his campaign, higher education Education doesn't get much attention. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has yet to make any specific policy announcements, although she has pledged to "make education great again."

However, there may be good news for American students. On the campaign trail in October 2016, Donald Trump expressed his concerns about American students facing high levels of debt and supported an income-based repayment system (widely supported by Democrats and Republicans). He proposed a repayment system in which students would pay 12.5 percent of their income annually for 15 years, after which their loans could be forgiven. This is similar to the student loan repayment system for domestic students in the UK.

Trump also promised to force universities to lower tuition and criticized universities and the federal government for raising tuition. ?Will international students go elsewhere?

More than 1 million international students currently study in the United States, contributing billions of dollars to the country's economy. However, there are signs that the United States may now be viewed as a less popular destination — particularly for students from countries, religious or other groups that Trump has attacked. Other students may have been frustrated by the Trump administration's possible changes to work visas, leading them to choose a destination with more attractive graduate employment opportunities.

Renait Stephens, chief executive of Study in the USA, said international students and their parents were worried, but noted it was still early days, telling VOA: "So now we're just trying to get students Rest assured, nothing has changed. American campuses are still open. They're still diverse."

Other higher education experts also remain relatively optimistic. , Peggy Blumenthal of the Institute of International Education (IIE) points out that throughout the history of IIE collecting data on U.S. international student populations, they have almost never seen a decline—no matter what is happening in the world .

She said: "There have been many important changes in U.S. policy, the international environment and the economy. However, the number of international students has continued to increase almost regardless of what is happening elsewhere around us."

American universities themselves will no doubt be keen to send a message of welcome to students around the world. For many international students, regardless of their views of the president, the allure of an American degree and college experience will trump the Trump administration.