<p>Lee: Its a legitimate question having to do with limited funding in these economic times. College education is a privilege, not a right. And for foreign nationals its a super privilege to be allowed to study in the United States irrespective of who pays for it. I dont know who you are talking about being xenophobic, but there is no “right” for anyone to enter the United States. If you don’t believe me, ask the Immigration Service and Dept. of State who grant visas for tourists, workers and students. </p>
<p>Its not xenophobic to suggest that funding needs from US schools should be first and foremost directed towards US citizens who are admitted to a college. I am not an admissions counselor or academic administrator or professor. I don’t make policy. </p>
<p>I didnt suggest that international students don’t pay full freight nor that most are subsidized. I asked a question concerning financial aid and the pressures upon admissions committees in US colleges. </p>
<p>Seems you are more sensitive about that issue than I am. You attacked me personally, now twice. You are free to disagree with my opinions, as we enjoy free speech in the United States (something not allowed in Singapore I might add and in most of China, including Hong Kong. I have a friend in Seoul who is very reserved about what he says concerning his government and has repeatedly informed me he is jealous of our free speech. But I digress.) </p>
<p>As a matter of record, I support international students. To a limited degree. But I am first and foremost an American who supports American students and particularly when it comes to my tax dollars, I would prefer that they be spent on American students first, as a matter of priority, not a matter of xenophobism. </p>
<p>You don’t have a right to be ad hominem on these boards. Thank you. Have a nice day.</p>
We are not “allowed” free speech in Hong Kong? I like how you keep making insensitive comments over places you know little about.</p>
<p>
First of all, where did you get the idea that US schools are diverting funds to internationals at the expense of Americans? Second, your OP says “should we limit the number of internationals”. We are doing math here. If internationals bring in more money overall than they take, why should you even raise that question? Looks like your REAL question is “should we limit the number of poorer internationals and only allow the ones that pay full TO INCREASE THE PROFIT MARGIN we already made out of the internationals?”.</p>
<p>At Northwestern, less than 10% of internationals get FA even though the amount per student is higher. Over 90% pay full. At many others, 100% pay full. </p>
<p>
Sure, apparently14.5 billion a year INFLOW isn’t enough?</p>
<p>
Sir, if there’s INFLOW of cash, you shouldn’t be spending your tax dollars on internationals. It’s so funny for you to keep thinking you spend tax dollars on international students when it appears you are actually the beneficiary. Of course, if there’s cash management, that’s the problem of your government, not the internationals.</p>
<p>Out of 3000+ colleges, only these schools on the list give more than 1/5 of the cost of attendance (average of only those that get it, not everybody) to internationals. Many of them on this list still earn better contribution margin ratios out of the internationals. Most of them are privates, not public schools, where the tax dollars go directly. As examples, UCs and UMich give no aid to internationals. </p>
<p>The topic interested me. My S (a white kid from Zimbabwe), is a college freshman at a small private LAC upstate NY. In Zimbabwe there is a college fair two or three times a year at which around 25-30 US colleges are present. Definitely the trend for the past couple of years has been an increase of 5 or so more colleges a year sending representation. Zimbabwe is an economic disaster (inflation last year 300 billion yes billion%) and there are few folk who can afford to pay full fare for their kids to study in the US. However, the performance of the Zimbabweans at the US colleges has been in general excellent, hence I guess as to why the colleges keep coming back ? As a foreigner, it is extraordinarily difficult to complete the college app requirements, write the SATs etc, and as one poster points out, to then meet the very stringent immigration visa requirements is a backbreaker. No there is no aid available from the public unis but yes the private colleges do offer merit aid to exceptional candidates. The philanthropic nature of Americans is something rare in this world, and as Americans perhaps you do not see how this attribute adds to global opportunities . Not sure if I am adding to the debate or not, but anyway just a few notes from someone who has recently been through the process </p>
<p>Exactly. I wish it were more infectious and the people in other parts of the world would give more. It’s not only the very rich who give in America, but also the middle class and older people sometimes donate everything they have after their life time.</p>
<p>These are trying times that may seem different, I hope it is only a blip in history.</p>