NAFSA advocates for robust federal funding of international education and exchange programs, which is needed to fully restore international education activities at U.S. colleges and universities following the pandemic.
Fiscal Year 2025 International Education Appropriations Request
FY2025 begins October 1, 2024, and ends September 30, 2025
| Program | FY 2025 Request | FY 2024 Enacted |
| Title VI | $79.9 million | $75.4 million |
| Fulbright-Hays | $11 million | $10.3 million |
| Total International Education and Foreign Language Studies | $91 million | $85.7 million |
| Program | FY 2025 Request | FY 2024 Enacted |
| EducationUSA | $14.3 million | TBD |
| Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) | $5 million | TBD |
| Total for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs | $808.6 million | $741 million |
Link to text of FY2024 Appropriations Bill
Policy Recommendations
Policy & Advocacy Resources
- On May 1, 2024, House members sent letters to State and Foreign Operations and Labor, HHS, Education Appropriation Subcommittee leaders urging support for increased funding for international education in FY2025 appropriations:
- 98 House members joined Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC-02) in requesting a total of $91 million for U.S. Department of Education Title VI and Fulbright-Hays international education and foreign language programs;
- 14 House members joined Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) in requesting an increase in funding for the Increase and Diversity Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) program; and
- 109 House members joined Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA-04) in requesting an increase in funding for U.S. State Department international education and exchange programs.
- On May 1, 2024, NAFSA joined the Alliance for International Exchange and 19 other international education organizations in a letter to House and Senate State and Foreign Operations Appropriation Subcommittee leaders expressing concerns about FY24 funding cuts to the State Department's Educational and Cultural Affairs programs.
- On May 13, 2024, 35 Senators joined Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in a letter to State and Foreign Operations Appropriation Subcommittee leaders supporting an increase in appropriations funding for international education and exchange programs at the U.S. State Department in FY2025.
- On May 14, 2024, 24 Senators joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Todd Young (R-IN) in a letter to Labor, HHS, Education Appropriation Subcommittee leaders supporting an increase in funding for Title VI and Fulbright-Hays international education and foreign language programs at the US. Department of Education.
Take Action
Thank your lawmaker for supporting robust funding for international education in FY 2025 appropriations by adding their name to the sign-on letters listed below.
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) letter supporting an increase in appropriations funding for international education and exchange programs at the U.S. State Department in FY2025.
- Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Todd Young (R-IN) letter supporting an increase in appropriations funding for international education and foreign language-learning programs at the U.S. Department of Education.