How State Republicans Would Limit International Student Aid

"Republican legislators in three states are proposing laws that would limit how much financial aid public colleges and universities can give international students. In Idaho and Ohio, the legislation, if passed, would cap the percentage of athletic scholarships that can go to international students. The Oklahoma bill would prevent public institutions from giving any scholarships to noncitizens. The sponsors of the bills in Ohio and Idaho say they aim to ensure scholarship opportunities funded by state taxpayers go to local students"

""I think our education system is largely designed to create an educated and skilled workforce to become productive citizens in our state and our country ... It seems it would be better if we had U.S. residents, and if at all possible, Idahoans, have more of these scholarship opportunities so we can train and create more teachers and police officers and people who can work in the medical field.""

"He said he was inspired to author the legislation after finding out the entire men's tennis team at the University of Idaho was comprised of international students while researching the university's athletics programs with his son. The sponsor of the wider-reaching Oklahoma bill, State Senator Michael Bergstrom, did not respond to a request for comment. The legislation comes as the Trump administration has taken several steps to limit international students' abilities to study and work in the United States,"

Republican legislators in Idaho, Ohio and Oklahoma have proposed measures to restrict financial aid to international students at public institutions. Idaho and Ohio bills would cap the share of athletic scholarships awarded to international students, while the Oklahoma proposal would bar scholarships to noncitizens. Sponsors say taxpayer-funded scholarships should favor local or U.S. residents who are more likely to remain and contribute to state economies. An Idaho sponsor cited discovering an all-international men's tennis team as motivation. The proposals appear amid federal actions aiming to tighten rules on international student visas and work authorizations.

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