Janice Lozano
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and its residents are considered US citizens. Puerto Rican citizenship does not exist independently of US citizenship. Therefore, Puerto Ricans are not considered international students when studying in the US. However, non-US citizens who want to study in Puerto Rico must first be accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) school and then apply for a US student visa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are Puerto Ricans considered international students in the US? | No, Puerto Ricans are citizens of a US territory and therefore are not considered international students in the US. |
| Are Puerto Ricans considered US citizens? | Yes, most Puerto Rican residents are considered US citizens. However, there are specific criteria for being a US citizen depending on the date of birth and parents' citizenship status. |
| Are Puerto Rico schools considered US schools? | Yes, since Puerto Rico is a part of the US, its schools are considered US schools. |
| Do US citizens need a visa to study in Puerto Rico? | No, US citizens can travel freely to Puerto Rico with government-issued picture identification. |
| Do non-US citizens need a visa to study in Puerto Rico? | Yes, non-US citizens need to apply for a US Student Visa after being accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) school. |
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What You'll Learn
- Puerto Ricans are US citizens, so they are not considered international students
- Puerto Rico's education system is segregated from the mainland US
- The ACT and SAT are more popular than the PAA exam for college admissions
- Natural disasters have impacted the education system in Puerto Rico
- There is a low demand for graduates in the Puerto Rican job market
Puerto Ricans are US citizens, so they are not considered international students
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States. Puerto Rican citizenship does not exist independently of United States citizenship. Therefore, Puerto Ricans are not considered international students in the United States.
Puerto Ricans are considered US citizens if they meet any of the following criteria:
- People born in Puerto Rico on or after January 13, 1941. These individuals were declared US citizens at birth.
- People born in Puerto Rico before January 13, 1941, whose parents became US citizens under one of the naturalization acts.
- People born in Puerto Rico before April 11, 1899, whose parents became US citizens.
- People born in Puerto Rico to alien parents on or after April 11, 1899, who lived in Puerto Rico or another US territory on January 14, 1941.
However, it is important to note that individuals born in Puerto Rico before April 11, 1899, whose parents had not become US citizens (e.g., if they remained Spanish citizens), would be considered citizens of another country, such as Spain.
The implications of Puerto Rico's territorial status and the resulting citizenship status of Puerto Ricans can create complexities in certain situations, such as when applying to mainland US universities or seeking certain educational opportunities. Despite these complexities, Puerto Ricans remain US citizens and are not considered international students when studying within the United States.
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Puerto Rico's education system is segregated from the mainland US
Puerto Rico's education system is distinct from that of the mainland US, with a unique history and ongoing challenges. The island's educational institutions have been shaped by its colonial status, first as a colony of Spain and later as a territory of the United States.
The first school in Puerto Rico, the Escuela de Gramática (Grammar School), was established in 1513 by Bishop Alonso Manso, offering free courses in various subjects. The concept of public schooling was introduced in 1739, and an official education system was established in 1865, with compulsory attendance until the age of 9. The Foraker Act of 1900 created the commissioner of education and the department of public education in Puerto Rico, appointed by the US President.
Despite these early developments, Puerto Rico's education system continues to face significant challenges. The island's public schools have become sites where Puerto Ricans have negotiated and maintained their cultural identity, separate from that of the mainland US. US officials have historically viewed schools as tools for Americanizing Puerto Rican citizens, leading to the transplantation of mainland educational structures. However, the unique cultural and historical context of Puerto Rico has resulted in a segregated educational system.
One of the critical issues in Puerto Rico's education system is the high dropout rate and low graduation rates. In 2016, the high school graduation rate was reported to be 73.9%, with some schools having rates as low as 40-49%. The closure of schools due to funding issues and the impact of hurricanes has also disrupted the education of thousands of students. Additionally, teacher salaries have stagnated since 2008, and many schools lack basic utilities like running water or electricity.
Puerto Rico's status as a US territory also affects its students' opportunities for higher education. While Puerto Ricans are legally US citizens, they face challenges when applying to mainland universities. Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, which are often required for admission, are not easily accessible on the island, and few mainland universities accept Puerto Rican high school diplomas for admission. The poverty rate in Puerto Rico further exacerbates the issue, as few families can afford the cost of sending their children to college on the mainland.
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The ACT and SAT are more popular than the PAA exam for college admissions
Puerto Rico is a US territory, and its citizens are US nationals. However, it seems that Puerto Rican students are often disadvantaged when it comes to applying to mainland US universities. Only 694 local high school graduates went to colleges in Puerto Rico or abroad in 2016. A third of high school students quit before they finish, more than double the proportion in the rest of the US.
The ACT and SAT are the two most widely recognised standardised tests used in the college admissions process in the United States. Both tests are used for college admissions decisions, course placement, financial aid, scholarships, and other purposes. However, the ACT and SAT differ in several ways. The SAT is shorter, with more time per question, and is only offered online. On the other hand, the ACT is broken up into four smaller sections: English, math, reading, and science. Students can choose to take the ACT on paper or online, and beginning in 2025, with or without the science section. The SAT does not have a separate science section, instead integrating science reasoning into reading passages and math problems.
While the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, students may perform better on one test over the other. Students can take a timed full-length practice test of each type to determine which exam is a better fit. Additionally, the SAT has free official practice tests, while the ACT only offers one free downloadable practice test.
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Natural disasters have impacted the education system in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a US territory, and its residents are US citizens. However, its education system has been facing financial strains and other challenges, which have been exacerbated by natural disasters.
Puerto Rico is the sixth-largest school district in the US, and its education system has been in crisis for years. The island is vulnerable to natural disasters and struggles to help children recover from the learning setbacks that come with them. Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused extensive damage to education infrastructure, and schools faced closures, limited functionality, and transportation issues after reopening. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has worked with the government of Puerto Rico to develop a plan to recover from the destruction caused by the hurricanes and build resilience to withstand future disasters.
The education system in Puerto Rico has been facing financial strains due to spending on additional services for students from low-income households and students with disabilities. The high poverty rate in Puerto Rico also means that few families can afford to send their children to college. The median household income is $19,775, which is less than the cost of in-state tuition, fees, room, and board for a public four-year university on the mainland.
To address these challenges, the government of Puerto Rico has developed a recovery plan that includes rebuilding and repairing school infrastructure, strengthening the K–12 system, expanding out-of-school learning opportunities, and increasing access to vocational education. The US Department of Education has also provided about $6 billion in federal funds to hire school nurses and psychologists, fund tutoring programs, and pay for temporary teacher salary increases.
Natural disasters have had a significant impact on the education system in Puerto Rico. Hurricanes have caused damage to school buildings and interrupted schooling for students. Heavy rains and flooding have closed schools and disrupted classes, affecting students' education and mental health. Earthquakes have also caused damage to school buildings, and students and teachers continue to recover emotionally from the trauma of natural disasters.
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There is a low demand for graduates in the Puerto Rican job market
Puerto Rico is a territory of the US, and its citizens are US nationals. Therefore, Puerto Ricans are not considered international students in the US. However, the odds are stacked against high school graduates from Puerto Rico who want to attend college on the US mainland. The SAT and ACT exams, which are used by mainland universities to assess applicants, are not encouraged by many public high schools in Puerto Rico. The high poverty rate in Puerto Rico also means that few families can afford to send their children to college.
The Puerto Rican job market has been described as "quite weak" by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY). The low participation rate in the labor force, particularly among less educated workers, is a significant factor in the limited competitiveness of the island's economy. The labor force in Puerto Rico has been contracting since the start of the Puerto Rican recession in FY 2017, with the labor force participation rate plunging from 48.6% in 2007 to 40.6% in 2019. This means that six out of ten people of working age are not in the labor market.
The unemployment rate in Puerto Rico is the highest among all US states and territories. The gap between unemployment rates in Puerto Rico and the US mainland is significant. The FRBNY has urged the creation of jobs and encouraged active participation in the labor market, especially for the young and uneducated. The Youth Development Institute (YDI) of Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization, has presented recommendations focusing on targeting the youth workforce development outcomes.
The Puerto Rico labor market faces many difficulties due to internal and external factors. There is a notable skills gap, with a mismatch between labor supply and demand. Men earn more than women at all education levels, and the salary difference is more pronounced at higher education levels. Women with "graduate or professional degrees" earn $14,306 less than men, while those with a "bachelor's degree" earn $7,057 less.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Puerto Ricans are not considered international students in the US because Puerto Rico is a US territory and most Puerto Rican residents are considered US citizens.
No, US citizens can travel freely in and out of Puerto Rico with government-issued picture identification, such as a driver's license.
Yes, all non-US citizens looking to study in Puerto Rico must first be accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) school and then apply for a US Student Visa.
