Aubrey Lay, a Fulbright scholar, expected to receive payment for three months of work as a teaching assistant for Ukrainian refugees in Estonia. Instead, he got paid for just one week and is left waiting for answers about the rest of his grant.
Many scholars like Lay rely on U.S. government funding through programs like Fulbright. Recently, funding was cut suddenly after officials announced they were reviewing their activities. This freeze seems connected to the government’s push to reduce spending, which is impacting multiple federal agencies.
In February, the U.S. State Department halted spending to assess its programs, including Fulbright and other international scholarships. Since then, many scholars have complained about a lack of communication about their futures and finances. The State Department has not provided updates to clarify the situation.
Lay expressed frustration over the uncertainty, recalling how his grandmother once benefited from the same program, established in 1946 to promote cultural exchange. He doesn’t want to contribute to the instability in his students’ lives. “I can’t bear that thought,” he said.
While Lay can manage for another month, he worries for others without savings. “It feels like no one knows what’s happening,” he noted. The Fulbright Association reports that over 12,500 participants are affected, including U.S. citizens and international scholars in America.
Halyna Morozova, another Fulbright scholar, shared her experience. At the airport after a long trip, she received an unsettling email stating that she would only receive a partial stipend. Instead of her usual $750 monthly payment, she was left with just $187.50.
“It’s terrifying not knowing what comes next,” Morozova said. “We don’t know if we’ll get more money, or even if our tickets home will be covered.”
Olga Bezhanova, a professor overseeing Morozova, voiced her concerns as well. Her university has hosted Fulbright scholars for nearly 20 years, and now she’s trying to find alternative funding to support her colleagues during this uncertainty. “I have to look into their eyes and explain this mess,” she said.
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Donald Trump, Government programs, U.S. Department of State, United States government, General news, IL State Wire, United States, Education, Olivia Diaz, Politics, World news, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine government, Olga Bezhanova, U.S. news, Halyna Morozova, World News
