House and Senate Finalize FY2006 State Dept. International Education and Exchange Funding

On November 9 and 16, respectively, the House and Senate each gave their final approval to FY 2006 funding level for State Department international education and exchange programs. The legislation will fund these programs at nearly $431.8 million, an increase of over $71 million dollars more than allocated in FY 2005, and nearly $1.8 million more than what was requested by the Bush Administration for FY 2006. Included in the final conference report on the FY2006 Science, State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies (SSJC) Appropriations bill, the legislation allocates just over $185 million for the Fulbright Program (a nearly $25 million increase), $5 million for overseas advising centers (a $1.5 million increase), and just over $3.7 million for the Gilman Scholarship Program (a $1.1 million increase). The bill will now go to President Bush for his signature. Many thanks to the hundreds of NAFSA members who wrote letters this year to Congress in support of this funding increase.