By Abiola Olawale
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has imposed a restriction on Harvard University, prohibiting the institution from enrolling international students for the upcoming academic year.
It was gathered that the policy, issued through an executive order, cited national security and economic priorities as the rationale behind the ban.
Confirming the administration’s action, the Department of Homeland Security stated: “This means Harvard can no longer enrol foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.”
Going by this development, Harvard, a global leader in attracting top international talents, now faces unprecedented challenges in maintaining its diverse students body, which includes over 20% international students in recent years.
According to recent reports, about 6,800 international students attended Harvard this year, or roughly 27 per cent of the student body.
Tuition for the upcoming school year at Harvard is set at $59,320. When factoring in room and board, the total cost can rise to almost $87,000. Also, international students typically face or are subjected to higher educational expenses compared to their peers or domestic students.
