International Students: Counted In The Census?

The census is a national survey that takes place every 10 years and provides a detailed picture of all the people and households in a country. The information collected by the census is used by organisations and local authorities to help provide various services, including transport, education, and healthcare. It is important that all students, including international students, are included in the census. Students should complete a form for their usual term-time address, even if they are not currently residing there. International students who are not in the country but would usually be are also encouraged to complete the census.

International students enrolled online from outside the US

The Open Doors 2024 International Student Census survey includes international students enrolled online from outside the United States at a given institution in fall 2023 who were not on a temporary, non-immigrant visa. This category of students is addressed in Question N of the survey, which also covers US citizens, immigrants, permanent residents, refugees, undocumented immigrants, or students with deferred action status, as well as students from US territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.

The International Student Census specifically focuses on non-immigrant international students on temporary visas at the postsecondary level for questions A to M. This includes enrolled or Optional Practical Training (OPT) international students.

It's important to note that students with dual citizenship from two countries outside the United States should be counted under the place of origin listed on their I-20, DS-2019, or similar documentation used for their temporary visa application. If one of the countries of citizenship is the United States, then that student should not be included in the survey.

Additionally, for the question on new international students (those enrolling for the first time at a given institution in fall 2023), institutions should include students regardless of academic level and whether they transferred from another institution. If a student is primarily enrolled at a particular institution, that institution should report the student even if another organization sponsors their visa.

College students, particularly those living off-campus, have traditionally been considered a hard-to-count population in the US Census due to their high mobility and low participation rates. To address this, designated "residence administrators" in college campuses are tasked with submitting the questionnaire to the Census Bureau for students living in residence halls, who are categorized as "group quarters."

International students on Fulbright grants

International students, including those on Fulbright grants, are included in the census. The census is a national survey that occurs every 10 years and provides a detailed picture of the people and households in England and Wales. All students, regardless of their living situation, are an important part of the census and must be included.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from outside the US to study and conduct research in the United States. The program is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions, Foundations, or US Embassies and is currently operating in more than 160 countries worldwide. Approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year, awarding them the opportunity to pursue a Master's or Doctorate degree in the United States.

To be eligible for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, applicants must meet certain requirements. Firstly, they must reside in the country of nomination at the time of application. Secondly, applicants must possess the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree with a good academic record, and a master's degree is often highly desirable. Additionally, applicants should be early career teachers or educators of English or a related field, with prior teaching experience preferred. A key requirement is a sincere interest in teaching one's native language and culture to students in the US. Finally, fluency in English is essential, as demonstrated by specific test scores on the TOEFL or IELTS exams.

The application process for international students seeking Fulbright grants involves applying to the Fulbright Commissions, Foundations, or the US Embassy in their home country. The Fulbright office in the applicant's home country will provide specific eligibility requirements, application guidelines, and university admission and placement procedures, as these may vary by country. IIE's Placement service is available to secure degree and non-degree opportunities for Fulbright candidates, managing admissions and funding negotiations.

International students in the US on temporary visas

International students play a significant role in the US higher education system, and their participation in the Census is essential for accurate data. College students, particularly those who live off-campus or are highly mobile, are considered a "hard-to-count" population, which means they are challenging to interview, locate, contact, or persuade to participate in the Census. This challenge extends to international students on temporary visas, who may have additional complexities due to their visa status and transient nature.

International students on temporary visas in the US comprise a diverse group with varying backgrounds and motivations. The majority of these students fall into two nonimmigrant visa categories: F and M visas. F visas are typically for academic students enrolled in traditional academic programs, language-training programs, or academic high schools, while M visas are for vocational students pursuing vocational or non-academic programs. To obtain an F or M visa, students must meet specific criteria, such as being enrolled full-time, having sufficient funds for self-support, and maintaining a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up.

International students on temporary visas must adhere to regulations to maintain their legal status in the US. They must enter the country no more than 30 days before their program starts and depart within 60 days of completing their studies and any authorized practical training. To work off-campus, these students must obtain authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). F students are eligible for curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT), while M students are generally not eligible for practical training.

The Census count includes every person living in the United States, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. International students on temporary visas should count themselves in the on- or off-campus residence where they live and sleep most of the time. This information is crucial for colleges and universities to promote participation in the Census and ensure that international students are accurately represented in the data.

International students in the US pursuing STEM studies

International students in the US make up a significant portion of those pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) studies. In the 2019/2020 academic year, more than half of all international students in the US were enrolled or working in STEM fields. This trend is also observed in the top source countries for international students in the US, with China, India, Bangladesh, and Iran sending large contingents of STEM students.

The popularity of STEM studies among international students in the US can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the US is home to some of the world's top universities for STEM education, such as MIT and CalTech, which offer state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research opportunities. These institutions provide a world-class education that attracts students from around the world seeking to develop their skills and knowledge in STEM fields.

Additionally, the US government's focus on enabling international education in STEM plays a role. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, for example, allows international students to work for up to 12 months during or after their studies, with STEM graduates eligible for an additional 24-month extension. This provides international students in STEM with valuable opportunities to gain practical experience and build their careers in the US.

The US also recognises the importance of strengthening its STEM education to remain globally competitive. With national security and economic competitiveness closely linked to capabilities in STEM fields, initiatives such as the Supporting STEM Learning Opportunities Act aim to increase funding for STEM education and develop a robust domestic STEM workforce. This focus on STEM creates a favourable environment for international students pursuing STEM studies, offering them access to innovative programmes and resources.

Overall, the US offers international students a rewarding journey in STEM, combining academic excellence with unparalleled opportunities for innovation and discovery. The country's focus on STEM education and the availability of world-class institutions make it a top destination for those seeking to advance their knowledge and contribute to shaping the future of these critical fields.

International students in the US pursuing higher education degrees

However, international students pursuing higher education in the US face unique challenges and risks, particularly under the Trump administration. The US government's increasingly tough stance on immigration, cuts to federal research funding, and monitoring of campus activism have made the US seem less welcoming to international students. There are concerns about obtaining visas, freedom of travel, pursuing research, and freedom of expression. These concerns have been heightened by incidents such as the deportation of a Brown University professor to Lebanon, despite holding a valid US visa.

International students' enrolment in the US had declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but was beginning to rebound. However, educators fear that the Trump administration's policies and attitudes towards international students could reverse this trend. There are worries that students are self-censoring and avoiding political demonstrations out of fear of repercussions. Travel bans have also been reported, leading to anxiety about being allowed back into the US after leaving.

Despite these challenges, many universities actively promote international student enrolment. For example, the library at California State University-Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has partnered with the campus Service Learning Institute to train students to promote 2020 Census participation. Additionally, EducationUSA, a US Department of State network, has over 430 international student advising centres in 175+ countries and territories, showcasing the diversity of US higher education to prospective international students.

International students in the US are included in the Census count, which takes place every ten years. The Census counts every person living in the US, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. College students are typically counted in the communities where they attend school and live for most of the year, even if they are international students.

Frequently asked questions