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 2024 International Education Appropriations Request

FY2024 begins October 1, 2023, and ends September 30, 2024

U.S. Department of Education 
Program FY 2024 Request FY 2023 Enacted
Title VI $75.4 million $75.4 million
Fulbright-Hays $21.5 million $10.3 million
Total International Education and Foreign Language Studies $173.6 million $85.7 million

 

U.S. Department of State
Program FY 2024 Request FY 2023 Enacted 
EducationUSA $50 million $13.3 million
Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) $5 million $2.5 million
Total for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs $855 million $777.5 million

 

Policy Recommendations

Policy & Advocacy Resources

  • On July 20, 2023, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved its State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill. The bill calls for $779.5 million in funding for the State Department's educational and cultural exchange programs, which represents an increase of less than 1 percent over the fiscal 2023 enacted level of $777.5 million. 
  • On June 23, 2023, The U.S. House of Representatives' State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its draft bill for fiscal 2024. The bill calls for nearly $701 million for the State Department's educational and cultural exchange programs, a cut of approximately 10 percent from fiscal 2023. The bill will next be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee. 
  • On May 9, 2023, NAFSA, as a member of the Coalition for International Education, joined letters to leaders of the House and Senate Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittees urging increased funding for international education programs in FY2024.
  • On April 13, 2023, 31 Senators joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Todd Young (R-IN) in requesting robust funding for Title VI and Fulbright-Hays International Education and Foreign Language Studies programs.
  • On April 12, 2023, 37 Senators joined Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in requesting increased funding for U.S. State Department international education and exchange programs.
  • On March 24, 2023, 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 FY2024 appropriations:
    • 76 House members joined Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC-02) in requesting a total of $173.6 million for U.S. Department of Education Title VI and Fulbright-Hays international education and foreign language programs;
    • 12 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
    • 92 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.

Take Action

Thank your lawmaker, if applicable, for joining one or more of these letters. Click on the member's name and enter your address. NAFSA’s system will only generate a thank-you message if they signed.

  • Rep. Deborah Ross letter urging the leaders of the House, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee to provide a total of $173.6 million for international education and foreign language programs in FY2024.
  • Rep. Brad Schneider letter urging the House State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee to support an increase in appropriations funding for the Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) program.
  • Rep. Hank Johnson letter to the House, State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee urging an increase in appropriations for international education and exchange programs at the U.S State Department.
  • Senator Cory Booker letter to the Senate, State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee to provide robust funding for international education and exchange programs at the U.S State Department.
  • Senators Brian Schatz and Todd Young letter to the Senate, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee to provide robust funding for Title VI and Fulbright-Hays International Education and Foreign Language Studies programs.