Trump Administration Axes $70 Million in Federal Funding for University International Education Programs

The Trump administration has cut $70 million in federal funding for international education programs at universities nationwide, including at least $500,000 annually to NYU until last year. The White House stated these programs had 'deviated from their core mission' and supported 'wasteful and divisive projects.' This action follows the federal government stopping grants for international education and foreign language studies after September 2025, a year before their scheduled end. Congress had previously restored $70.3 million for these programs in February, and the U.S. Department of Education announced a new $70 million grant in June, but Trump axed this funding through a 'pocket rescission' just before the fiscal year's end.