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The freeze of funding for Fulbright and other scholarships by the US State Department has left thousands of Indian students in the lurch, depriving them of a facility that has long been the gateway to higher education and professional success. Most of these scholars who count on the programs for scholarships now find themselves in the lurch, with some even half-way through their courses.

The freeze is said to be part of a wider federal rethinking of government expenditures through various agencies and departments. But lack of transparency and official instructions has worsened the situation.

Researchers, who rely on these stipends for living costs, are currently rushing to find other sources of funding. Either drastic cuts or outright elimination of financial support means that students are being compelled to draw on their own savings or take temporary help from their host organizations. In light of increasing cost of living and tuition in the US, sustainability is still a big issue.

Academic Disruptions and Financial Struggles

For others, this sudden cutoff in funding is not only a financial disappointment but upsets their academic trajectory and puts their future at stake. This is especially critical for students from financially weaker sections, for whom these scholarships were the sole plausible way of pursuing higher education in the US. In their absence, such overseas dreams about higher education appear doubtful now.

Lack of Communication from Federal Officials

One of the most irritating elements of this crisis is federal officials' failure to provide clear communication. Students and institutions have consistently asked for clarification, to be greeted with silence. This vacuum of information has added to the distress and anxiety experienced by impacted scholars, especially those based in far-flung or economically disadvantaged areas.

Wider Consequences for US-India Academic Relations

In addition to personal difficulties, the withdrawal of scholarship funds may impact US-India academic exchanges beyond the level of individuals. The US has traditionally been a destination of choice for Indian students, enriching its student bodies and economy substantially. Reduction of scholarship funding would result in falling enrollment levels, compromising the diversity and global competitiveness of US universities.

The freeze of funding for Fulbright and other scholarships by the US State Department has left thousands of Indian students in the lurch, depriving them of a facility that has long been the gateway to higher education and professional success. Most of these scholars who count on the programs for scholarships now find themselves in the lurch, with some even half-way through their courses.

The freeze is said to be part of a wider federal rethinking of government expenditures through various agencies and departments. But lack of transparency and official instructions has worsened the situation.

Researchers, who rely on these stipends for living costs, are currently rushing to find other sources of funding. Either drastic cuts or outright elimination of financial support means that students are being compelled to draw on their own savings or take temporary help from their host organizations. In light of increasing cost of living and tuition in the US, sustainability is still a big issue.

Academic Disruptions and Financial Struggles

For others, this sudden cutoff in funding is not only a financial disappointment but upsets their academic trajectory and puts their future at stake. This is especially critical for students from financially weaker sections, for whom these scholarships were the sole plausible way of pursuing higher education in the US. In their absence, such overseas dreams about higher education appear doubtful now.

Lack of Communication from Federal Officials

One of the most irritating elements of this crisis is federal officials' failure to provide clear communication. Students and institutions have consistently asked for clarification, to be greeted with silence. This vacuum of information has added to the distress and anxiety experienced by impacted scholars, especially those based in far-flung or economically disadvantaged areas.

Wider Consequences for US-India Academic Relations

In addition to personal difficulties, the withdrawal of scholarship funds may impact US-India academic exchanges beyond the level of individuals. The US has traditionally been a destination of choice for Indian students, enriching its student bodies and economy substantially. Reduction of scholarship funding would result in falling enrollment levels, compromising the diversity and global competitiveness of US universities.

The detained Indian student to be deported to India is a Green Card holder. Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Washington DC's Georgetown University, had studied at Delhi's Jamia Milia Islamia University previously. Suri's lawyer argues that the action has been taken against him because he happens to have a Palestinian spouse. Gaza and Palestine, indeed, have the most intimate connection with Suri's narrative.

Suri, a past student of Jamia Millia Islamia, was instructing "Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia" and possessed a PhD in peace and conflict studies from India, according to the Georgetown University website. Masked Department of Homeland Security agents picked up Suri from his Arlington, Virginia residence and informed him his visa was canceled.

Last week, a Columbia University Indian student self-deported to Canada after agents contacted her over her pro-Palestinian activism on campus. Ranjani Srinivasan was in the US on an F-1 student visa. The DHS said Srinivasan was engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a terrorist organization designated by the US.

The move against Srinivasan and Badar Khan Suri forms part of the broader Trump administration effort to stop anti-semitic and pro-radical operations on US university campuses.

WHY IS BADAR KHAN SURI BEING SENT BACK TO INDIA?

Tricia McLaughlin, an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, stated that Suri had "close associations with a known or suspected terrorist" and was propagating Hamas propaganda within the university.

Hamas has been listed as a terrorist organization in the US.

"Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively propagating Hamas propaganda and inciting antisemitism on social media," McLaughlin shared on X.

Hassan Ahmad, the attorney for Suri, explained in his petition that he was "being punished because of the Palestinian heritage of his wife, and because the government suspects that he and his wife oppose US foreign policy toward Israel", as reported by Politico.

Maphaz Ahmad Yousef is Suri's wife, a native of Gaza turned American citizen. The two married on January 1, 2014, as per a Hindustan Times report. Suri, the Delhiite and former Jamia student, had traveled as a member of an international aid mission to Gaza in 2011 where he first met Yousef, as per the report. She was a translator employed with the aid organization.

"She had this great interest in India, and quizzed me on our country endlessly," Suri had explained to HT in 2018.

Both families had agreed, that their marriage was to be formalized in Gaza in December 2013, but Suri and his family were unable to reach the Palestinian land due to an Egypt crisis.

They eventually wedded in January 2014 in Delhi.

Suri's father-in-law, Ahamed Yousef, was also a former Hamas government deputy foreign minister and afterward became the director of the House of Wisdom Institute (HoW) for conflict resolution, reports the HT.

Ahamed Yousef is popularly referred to as "Hamas's Gate to the West".

Suri and Yousef's son is named Arafat.

"I wished to name my son either Gandhi or Arafat, but ultimately I opted for Arafat," Yousef informed HT.

DHA's Tricia McLaughlin stated in a post on X, "Suri has close associations with a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas."

Most likely, she was referring to Suri's father-in-law.

"The Secretary of State determined on March 15, 2025, that Suri's activities and presence in the United States made him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i)," she continued.

Suri was removed to a center in Virginia and was set to be sent to a detention center in Texas, reports said. An online tracker of immigration detainees, Politico reported, indicated him at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "staging" facility at the Alexandria, Louisiana, airport.

In his recent visit to India, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized developing academia and cultural exchange between the two countries. Riding on this momentum, the Land of the Long White Cloud has initiated the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) 2025, providing Indian students with a great opportunity to acquire world-class education in one of the most peaceful and sustainable nations in the world.

With 29 scholarships offered to eight of New Zealand's highest-ranked universities, this program highlights New Zealand's dedication to offering Indian students international opportunities. The application process begins today, March 18, 2025, and the deadline for submission is April 30, 2025.

What are the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)?

New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025 is a collaborative program between Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and eight of the country's top universities. The program awards 29 scholarships to Indian students for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The scholarships vary between NZD 5,000 and NZD 20,000, cutting down on the cost of pursuing higher studies overseas.

Who is eligible?

This scholarship offers Indian students a valuable opportunity to pursue their academic goals in New Zealand, provided they meet the following eligibility criteria:

Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Applicants must be Indian citizens (not a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia).

Applicants must meet Immigration New Zealand’s student visa requirements.

Applicants must reside in India at the time of application.

Applicants should have an unconditional offer for an eligible course.

How to apply?

Eligible students can apply for the scholarship by following the steps as provided below:

Step 1. Search programs and universities at studywithnewzealand.govt.nz.

Step 2. Apply directly to the university or through approved agents.

Step 3. Apply for a student visa at immigration.govt.nz.

Step 4. Apply for NZEA 2025 by the 30 April 2025 deadline.

Step 5. Select your preferred mode of living.

Step 6. Discover New Zealand life and plan your travels.

Interested students can also click here to apply.

Eligible universities

The NZEA is available for certain 8 universities in the New Zealand, interested students can verify the universities and their specialization as mentioned here:

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – In the top 1% in the world, AUT stands out for its creative approaches to teaching and close ties to the industry.

University of Auckland – Ranks 65th in the world and excels in sustainability and research.

Lincoln University – Focuses on agriculture, environmental management, and viticulture, with high emphasis on sustainability.

Massey University – Provides courses at three locations, with a focus on agriculture, design, and veterinary science.

University of Waikato – Renowned for its forward-thinking education and triple-crown accredited management school.

University of Otago – New Zealand's oldest university, with a reputation for research and active student life.

Victoria University of Wellington – Based in the capital city, it is strong in creativity, government, and sustainability studies.

University of Canterbury – Strong in engineering, science, and business, with a focus on practical learning.

Aspirants can click here to view the full scholarship brochure.

One of the strongest features of studying in New Zealand is the possibility of working while studying. Students can work a maximum of 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time during breaks. Graduates are also entitled to a post-study work visa for 3 years, which will enable them to acquire valuable international work experience.

The New Zealand minimum wage will rise to NZD 23.50 per hour from April 2025, so that students can be able to sustain themselves economically while pursuing their studies. Besides, New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes, outdoor activities, and rich culture mean it is a fantastic place to live, study, and discover.

An Indian historian, Dr Manikarnika Dutta, is under threat of deportation from the UK after the Home Office decided that she had spent more days abroad than permitted while carrying out research in India, according to The Guardian. Having lived in the UK for 12 years and worked at top institutions like the University of Oxford, her request for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) has been rejected.

Dutta's scholarly research needs access to Indian historical archives, which demands regular travel. Home Office policy dictates that ILR applicants are not allowed outside the UK for longer than 548 days in any 10 years; Dutta's tally was 691 days, The Guardian reports.

Legal analysts contend that her research visits were an integral component of her research and compliance with visa requirements.

These trips were not a choice but a necessity in meeting her institutional and academic duties. If she hadn't taken those trips, she would be unable to write up her thesis, fulfill her institutions' academic conditions, or continue to maintain visa status," declared her solicitor Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors.

What is indefinite leave to remain (ILR)?

ILR is a UK immigration status that enables a person to work, live, and study without any time limit. It is also called "settlement" and is a route to British citizenship.

For the applicant to be eligible for ILR, he or she must satisfy particular conditions of eligibility, including staying in the UK for a consecutive period under a visa category that extends to settlement, complying with absence rules, and passing the Life in the UK Test in addition to showing proficiency in the English language.

For researchers such as Dr. Manikarnika Dutta, time outside the UK can influence ILR eligibility. Though working overseas can be a necessary component of academic study, exceeding permissible absences means applications may be refused.

Dutta initially came to the UK in 2012 to study for a master's at Oxford, according to The Guardian. She then switched to a spouse visa as the dependent of her husband, Dr Souvik Naha, a senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow.

"I was stunned when I received an email informing me that I have to go," Dutta explained to The Observer. "I have been living here for 12 years. Most of my adult life has been spent in the UK since I arrived to study at Oxford. I never imagined something like this would befall me."

Her husband's ILR application, however, was successful. Legal fight erupts as Home Office refuses to budge Following her ILR being refused, Dutta applied for an administrative review, but this was also unchanged. The Home Office warned: "You must now leave the United Kingdom. If you don't leave voluntarily, you may be subject to a re-entry ban of 10 years and prosecuted for overstaying."

Kandiah has initiated a court action over the decision of the Home Office. The Home Office has subsequently promised to review its decision within three months.

This Home Office decision has been absolutely stressful for the both of us. It's had a psychological impact," explained Naha, Dutta's husband. "I give talks on these topics, and have read articles about victims, but never imagined it would happen to us.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced canceling more than $600 million in grants provided for teacher training programs, citing concerns about content considered "divisive" and antithetical to American values. The move has sparked a countrywide controversy regarding the place of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in education.

The Department of Education says that the action is aimed at avoiding taxpayer money going to support programs that advance "ideological agendas" over educational excellence. Officials believe public schools should be shielded from politics and concentrate on basic skills as opposed to social and cultural ideologies.

Public dollars shouldn't be spent promoting divisive narratives that politicize education instead of strengthening it," added a Department spokesperson. The cuts have been positioned by the administration as part of an overall attempt to depoliticize teacher training and steer funds toward academic achievement programs.

The budget cuts will disrupt operations at several universities, nonprofits, and organizations that offer teacher training programs centered on DEI. Several of these institutions have embedded cultural competency, anti-bias education, and inclusive pedagogical strategies into their curricula—components that are now being targeted.

Teachers and education activists contend that these programs are essential to preparing teachers to teach diverse student populations, especially in low-income communities. Critics of the cuts caution that eliminating funding for DEI-related programs may exacerbate educational inequalities and affect student-teacher interaction.

The funding rollback has drawn mixed reactions from political leaders, educators, and the general public. Conservative groups have welcomed the cuts, arguing that teacher training should focus on core subjects like math, science, and literacy without ideological influence. Progressive organizations, however, view the move as part of a broader push against diversity and inclusion policies.

As institutions and schools prepare for the budgetary blow, education policymakers are likely to fight the cuts in the next few months. Alternative sources of revenue could be pursued in some states to sustain DEI-related training programs, whereas others could implement new standards that will comply with the federal move.

While debates concerning DEI and education policy are growing, the long-term ramifications of the cuts remain unclear. Tune in for more news as the situation unfolds