In a surprise move, the American government has chosen to halt funding for most of its high-profile international scholarship programs, leaving hundreds of students in limbo. The action, made in February 2025, affects high-profile programs such as the Fulbright-Hays, Benjamin A. Gilman, and Eisenhower International Scholarship programs. These scholarships have supported students from all corners of the globe, including hundreds of thousands from Türkiye, who now suffer from economic and financial burdens.
What Happened?
The US State Department quietly suspended payments for these scholarships, putting students who rely on them in financial distress. Existing students had already traveled overseas to pursue studies, only to find that their scholarship funds had been cut.
One such case is Frida Larios, a student from California State University, Los Angeles. She recently traveled to Seoul, South Korea, to partake in an exchange program and found out that the $3,000 earmarked for deposits in her bank account was not going in after all. Similar to millions of others before her, she now finds herself wrestling with the heartbreaking dilemma of paying significant expenses to return home versus attempting to find emergency financial support.
The scholarship freeze impacts students across the world, particularly those in low and middle-income countries who depend on scholarships to fund studies in the US and other countries. In Türkiye, the Fulbright program has made it possible for several students and scholars to pursue academic programs, conduct research, and develop international experience. The sudden reduction of funding caught them off guard and left them looking for a way out.
While American students in exchange programs are also affected, the hardest hit has been foreign students in the United States. Without these funds, numerous students will be forced to leave school completely.
Why Were the Scholarships Suspended?
The US government has not directly explained the cause of the reduction in funding. The officials claim that the cut was done in order to restructure the budget, but it is highly speculated that it is a political move on the part of the Trump administration.
Over the past year, the government has taken contentious steps on education and foreign policy. Just weeks after cutting these scholarships, the government also cut $400 million in funding for Columbia University, reportedly in reaction to anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. Critics assert that these actions are part of a broader strategy to limit academic freedom and reduce funding for international cooperation.
The Impact on Students
The cancellation of these scholarships has brought a significant amount of financial hardship to a large number of students. Some cannot pay for tuition, others cannot pay rent and daily bills. Universities have attempted to intervene where possible by offering emergency relief to impacted students, but many universities simply do not have the resources to replace such a sudden funding loss.
For Turkish students, this option is particularly tragic. The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, has been a central bridge between the US and Türkiye for generations. It has allowed Turkish scholars to study at America's top universities and American scholars to study in Türkiye. With this act, academic and cultural exchange opportunities will be significantly diminished.
What Happens Next?
Students and universities are now seeking answers. Some universities are trying to obtain emergency funds, while student groups are signing petitions to demand the restoration of the scholarships.
The US State Department has yet to clarify whether this is a temporary or a permanent decision. In the meantime, most of the affected students are either repatriated back home or are forced to take heavy loans to continue their studies.
A Step Back for International Education
This move by the Trump administration has drawn criticism from policymakers and educators worldwide. Educators see it as a step backward in global education and diplomacy. Fulbright scholarships are not merely about funding education but about involving nations in relationship-building, cross-cultural exchange, and the development of future leaders. Cutting these programs not only damages the individual students but also taints the image of the US as a world leader in education.
In the meantime, thousands of students are in a precarious situation, searching for solutions and praying for an answer that will allow them to chase their aspirations of studying overseas.
Edited by: Melisa Altıntaş, Yağmur Ece Nisanoğlu