NAFSA: Association of International Educators conducted a survey in early April of senior leadership at U.S.-based higher education institutions and international education organizations to gauge the financial impact of COVID-19 on the field of international education.
Results indicate that U.S. higher education overall has potentially lost nearly $1 billion due to shortened or canceled study abroad programs and spent approximately $638 million in financial support for international students, scholars, faculty and staff who remained on campus when courses moved online. Responses further estimate that U.S. higher education will lose at least $3 billion due to anticipated international student enrollment declines for fall 2020. Without Congressional action and financial relief to support international education, it is estimated there will be a loss of more than $4.5 billion to U.S. higher education and tens of thousands of American jobs.
Study Abroad
- 94% of institutions with study abroad programs reported shortened or canceled spring and summer programs, resulting in losses of $115 million; when estimated across all of U.S. higher education, potential losses total nearly $1 billion.
- 65% responded that staff positions have already or may be impacted by the cancellation of study abroad programs
- Impacts include reduced hours, furloughs, eliminated positions, hiring freezes, and salary reductions
- 61% expressed uncertainty if study abroad programs will be offered for fall 2020, while 15% anticipated cancelations
International Students
- 38% indicated ongoing support for international students who remained on campus, spending nearly $42 million; when extrapolated across all of U.S. higher education, potential spending totals $418.5 million
- Types of support include housing, scholarships, food, rent, airfare, and tuition refunds
- 60% reported up to 5 staff positions funded by international student fees
- 78% anticipate enrollment declines for fall 2020, with a loss of $192 million in revenue; when estimated across all of U.S. higher education, potential revenue losses total at least $3 billion
International Scholars, Faculty, Staff
- 55% host or employ international scholars, faculty and staff, with 77% indicating ongoing support/employment during the crisis
- 36% reported providing additional financial support totaling nearly $6 million; when estimated across all of U.S. higher education, expenditures approximate $219 million
- 51% responded staff positions would not be impacted by COVID-19, while 24% indicated it was too soon to know, and 21% said positions would be impacted
- Impacts include reduced hours, furloughs, eliminated positions, hiring freezes, and salary reductions
Other Negative Financial Impacts
- 41% reported additional negative financial impacts, such as loss of grants and contracts, enrollment declines due to the shift to online instruction, and compensation paid for cancelled programs.
Methodology
NAFSA: Association of International Educators distributed a survey from April 7–14, 2020, to individuals in international education leadership positions at U.S.-based institutions and organizations. 346 institutional responses were received representing primarily U.S.-based higher education institutions. Responses by institutional type were: 14% Associate, 16% Baccalaureate, 32% Masters, 34% Research, and 5% Specialized. Financial estimations across U.S. higher education were calculated proportionally by institutional type using the average of dollar ranges selected by survey takers.
May 2020