Trump Govt Freezes $2.2 Bn Federal Funds to Harvard University. What Does This Mean for Indian Students?

The Trump government is at loggerheads with Harvard University. The current US government has taken a decision to freeze USD 2.2 billion in federal funds to the university while the IRS reviews Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security has announced that it would strip Harvard’s ability to enrol international students if it did not share detailed illegal and violent activity records of foreign student visa holders at the university by April 30, 2025.
At Harvard, over 27% of the total student body is international students, a major share of which is Indian and Chinese students. This development can have a major impact on the future of Indian students planning to study at Harvard.
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So, what does this development mean for Indian students?
USA Visa & Immigration:
The scrutiny on visa approval for Indian students has already increased for some time now, with F-1 visa approvals dropping from 99% to nearly 70% in the last six months. The threat to disable the university from enrolling international students will further reduce the chances of Indian students studying at Harvard. This stance is expected to tighten the visa process further, making it difficult for Indian students to study in the USA.
Impact on Harvard Scholarships for Indian Students
While Harvard has a pool of endowment funds from various sources, the Federal funding cut would impact the Federal Work-Study Program offered at the university. This means that the international students would have limited financial aid opportunities, something which they rely heavily on.
Post-Study Employment Opportunities for Indian Students in USA
Different policies and strict rules have lately led to a higher rejection rate for H-1B visas to the US. These visas are commonly applied for by Indian graduates seeking employment in the USA. With the current move, the trend will continue and likely worsen, making it difficult for Indian students to seek full-time employment after graduation in the country.
Yes, the Harvard University USA permits international students to work while studying. International students must fulfil certain requirements that are as follows:
- International students are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semester.
- When classes are not in session, the international students are not allowed to work over 40 hours per week.
- International students are paid on a weekly basis on campus and for off-campus jobs, it depends on the employer.
- Students also show interested in part-time jobs in USA for international students.
Student life at the Harvard campus is as exciting as it can be with late-night discussions in the dining halls with friends taking over the nights, while some days are spent taking part in drama productions, athletic competitions & exploring Boston's museums among other fun activities.
The opportunity to meet new people never goes away as extracurricular activities are a common feature & students can always choose to be part of a student club based on personal interest.
Harvard University is recognised for offering the highest placement rate in the United State of America. Harvard University placement rate stands at 77%, for business school graduates. This figure indicates that out every 100 students, around 77 students secured employment. The average salary of Harvard University UG graduates USD 175,000 (INR 1.51 CR PA) annually. Additionally, around 53% of Harvard graduates have received a median signing bonus of USD 30,000 (INR 26.04 L). Moreover, approximately 65% of Harvard graduates have also received a median variable bonus of USD 47,500 (INR 41.23 L). Harvard placement rate are one of the major attractions for international students and offer a huge return on investment to graduates of the university. Also, Harvard graduates work in top companies such as Google, Harvard Medical School, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, etc.. Furthermore, Harvard University graduates work in top sectors such as:
- Business Development
- Education
- Operations
- Research
- Media and Communication
- Healthcare Services
- Engineering
- Finance
- Information Technology
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Student from India can apply for admission to the University of Delaware, USA easily by following UD admission process. Applicants must have all the necessary documents along with English language test score to complete the admission application. Mentioned below are the steps to apply for UG admission at Delaware USA:
Step 1: Complete the UD Online Application and submit the Delaware University application fee of USD 75 or INR 6,265.51
Step 2: Submit your English-proficiency test scores
Step 3: Send official transcripts/examination results for all secondary and post-secondary work to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Step 4: Provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher or academic advisor

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Harvard University is among the top choices of international students to continue their higher studies in USA. Harvard is known for offering best academic programs at UG and PG levels for its international students. The Harvard University student body features over 6,700 international students from more than 140 countries. The university also offers a welcoming environment for its international students. Harvard is renowned for its excellent academics, diversified college culture, and more. Harvard University has welcomed international students from all over the world, representing a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and cultures. The Harvard University consistently ranking highly in global university rankings, offering a vibrant international student community.