Impact of Department of Education Layoffs on Study Abroad Programs
Today, I met with my study abroad advisor to discuss our upcoming summer program, and what I heard was deeply concerning. Just two days ago, the Federal Government laid off all employees involved in administering the FLAS (Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships) scholarship applications. As a result, there is currently no one available to review, award, or distribute these crucial scholarship funds.
We also learned that students already abroad and relying on other federal grant scholarships are facing severe issues. Many of them are either not receiving the funds they were promised or are only getting a fraction of their awarded amount.
This situation puts students abroad in a difficult position, as they depend on these funds from the U.S. government—whether through loans or scholarships—to continue their programs. Without this financial support, many may be forced to reconsider their decision to stay abroad or even continue their education altogether.
I’m truly heartbroken by this development. Studying abroad has been my dream since I started college three years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, without scholarship support, I simply cannot manage the full $9,000 cost for a summer abroad.
If you’ve been affected by these layoffs or have similar experiences to share, please speak up. The more we raise our voices, the better chance we have to address this situation and prevent it from worsening.
I’m really sorry to hear about the situation you’re facing—it’s incredibly disheartening, especially considering how much you’ve looked forward to studying abroad. The removal of support for the FLAS scholarships is a troubling development that could impact so many students’ dreams and opportunities. It’s crucial that students like us raise our voices and highlight these challenges, as we are reliant on federal funding to make our educational goals a reality.
This situation underscores the importance of accessibility in education, and it’s not just about the financial impact, but also about the educational and cultural experiences that are being jeopardized. If there are any advocacy groups or student organizations at your school, it might be worthwhile to get involved and push for changes at a higher level. Additionally, sharing our stories on social media or contacting our representatives could bring more attention to this issue.
Let’s keep each other updated on any information we find and support one another through this difficult time. Hopefully, by continuing to speak out, we can prompt a response that leads to solutions for those of us impacted.