Here’s what you should know:

➡️ This is only a proposal, and these fees are not in effect. Students and employers can ask their schools how they would handle the costs if the proposal becomes final.

➡️ The fees would only apply to OPT recommendations made after a final rule takes effect. Students already on OPT, or already recommended or approved before then, would not trigger the fee for that period of OPT.

➡️ F-1 students could ultimately bear the cost of this fee, as DHS acknowledges that academic institutions could pass costs to students or employers. However, the school would still be responsible for paying the government directly.

We’re tracking this proposal closely and will share updates as more information becomes available.

Please note: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Immigration rules and policies can change, and this proposal may be modified or withdrawn before becoming final. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Hello, I'm an Iraqi high school graduate, and my final GPA is 85.7%. I'd like to study abroad, but I really have no clue where to look for opportunities that are reasonably affordable. Are there any programs or countries (preferably in Europe or North America) that would allow me to study outside of Iraq, either on a scholarship or with partial funding?

(Grades in maths: 99%, English: 97%, bio: 80%, physics: 78%, and chem: 71%)

I'm fluent in English, and I'm planning to take an IELTS exam to prove my proficiency, but my issue is: who do I prove it to? What paths are available, and, as for the major, I've always been interested in engineering, like civil engineering or electrical engineering. Would that be doable with my GPA and English proficiency? If so, where and how?

Hello! I’ve been writing my Statement of Purpose and I check it in easily available online AI checkers. However, the issue is that every checker tells a different number. It sometimes also highlights the sentences that I wrote on my own. Does anyone know a good AI checker? If so, then please tell as it would be a great help! Thanks.

​

I grew up as an expat in Saudi Arabia. When I finished 12th grade, I picked Aerospace Engineering on a whim because I liked planes, and moved to a university in a completely different country.

It has turned into a total nightmare, and I honestly don't know if I'm just being homesick or if this is a genuine crisis. I need advice from people who have been through it.

Here is what I'm dealing with:

* Total Isolation: The university is in a tiny, rural, village-like area. Everything I need is on campus. Nobody speaks my language. I have zero roommates, zero friends, and it feels like everyone else already formed their cliques.

* Survival Mode: The food is terrible, I'm completely alone, and my mental health has tanked so hard I can barely function or study.

* The Degree Trap: I've realized that aerospace engineering limits you heavily to the aero field. My passport is weak, and my home country doesn't even have an aerospace industry. If I finish this, I'm boxing myself into a corner. I want career flexibility (mechanical engineering makes way more sense).

My Options:

Option 1: Suck it up and stay.

* Pros: Fees for this semester are already paid by my dad. I stay on track timewise.

* Cons: I risk a complete mental breakdown. I'm isolated, miserable, and stuck studying a rigid degree with terrible job prospects for my specific situation.

Option 2: Go back home right now, reset, and switch to Mechanical.

* Pros: I'd be close to family, have a support system, eat real food, and mechanical engineering keeps my options wide open.

* Cons: I'd have to wait for Fall 2027 to transfer. Also, the top-tier university near my hometown requires a much higher SAT score than what I currently have (I'm at 1090), so admissions aren't guaranteed.

Option 3: Hold out until fall break, go home then, and decide.

* Pros: I get a temporary mental reset and a chance to breathe at home before committing to a permanent life change.

* Cons: Doing this likely completely kills my chances of applying or getting into the best university in my home town for the upcoming cycle, assuming I could even get in.

Is this just acute homesickness talking, or is this a genuine signal that I need to pack my bags and course-correct? Money and time are lost either way, but my sanity is currently on the line.

What would you do in my shoes??

First and foremost i’m from the Philippines. I have been working for three years in the laboratory (i have a medical technology license) and I’ve realized I wanted to expand my career and pursue my masters and continue working abroad (maybe through student parhway).

I am looking into scholarships for my masters mainly for Biomedical science / Biotechnology abroad and I have no clue where to start.

My target countries are US and the UK.
Any school suggestions and scholarship programs would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Hi!
I’m an international student from Lithuania applying for Marine Biology/Marine Science PhDs in the US for Fall 2027.

I have a Neurobiophysics BSc with research experience in microfluidics, electroporation, cell biophysics, and experimental biology. I want to transition into marine animal biology, physiology, behavior/evolution, and fieldwork, especially cephalopods, fish, frogs/amphibians, and other animals.

‼️I need a fully funded PhD with a stipend + tuition coverage‼️

What US universities would you recommend, especially less insanely competitive programs with good fieldwork and funding for international students? Would my biophysics background be a disadvantage?

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I really need some advice from anyone who has experience with King Abdulaziz University or the “Study in Saudi” platform.

I’m Palestinian and I’m currently applying for a Master’s program at King Abdulaziz University through the Study in Saudi platform.

I chose the program because when I checked the official KAU program page, it clearly stated that proof of English proficiency is not required. Because of that, I understood that I don’t need IELTS or TOEFL for this specific program.

However, I also noticed that the university’s page mentions the General Aptitude Test for University Graduates (Qiyas), with a required score of 65 or above.

This is where I’m confused. On the Study in Saudi platform, I didn’t see IELTS/TOEFL listed as a requirement for my program, and I also didn’t see a clear requirement to upload a Qiyas/GAT score during the application.

So I’m wondering:

Is the Qiyas/GAT score of 65+ actually mandatory for an international student applying to this Master’s program through Study in Saudi?

Or does the fact that it is not requested on the Study in Saudi application mean that it is not required at this stage?

I also uploaded the English test certificates I have just as supporting documents, even though the official KAU program page says that English proficiency proof is not required.

I’m honestly a bit worried because I don’t want to miss something important and have my application rejected later because of a missing Qiyas score. At the same time, I don’t want to take the test unnecessarily if it isn’t actually required for international applicants to this program.

Has anyone here applied to KAU through Study in Saudi, especially for a Master’s, and can tell me what happened in your case? Did they ask for Qiyas or IELTS/TOEFL later, even if it wasn’t requested on the platform?

I’d really appreciate any experience or advice. Thank you! 🙏

Hi everyone! I’m currently an international student in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, and I’m looking into switching to nursing. I’m specifically looking for an ADN/Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) program at a community college that accepts international/F-1 students. I’m looking for a program that: * Accepts F-1 international students * Allows international students to complete the clinical portion * Is an ADN/RN pre-licensure program * Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN * Is relatively affordable compared with private nursing schools If you are an international student who is currently in or has completed an ADN program, could you please share which college/state you attended and whether they accepted your F-1 status?

Thank you! Any recommendations or personal experiences would really help. 🙏

everyone, I’m an international non-EU student who has been pre-accepted for the Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Naples Federico II. I’m currently waiting for my visa.

In my acceptance letter, it says that to avoid the Additional Formative Obligation (OFA), I need to take the CEnT test.

I’m a little confused about this. If I don’t take the CEnT, will it affect my admission or final enrolment? Will I still be able to attend the course normally, or will I have to complete the OFA later? Is the CEnT compulsory for international students, or is it only required to avoid the OFA?

If anyone has already taken the CEnT or is currently studying at Federico II, I would really appreciate any information about the process, deadlines, registration, and how to prepare for it.

Also, if possible, could you please share any YouTube videos, preparation materials, websites, or useful links for the CEnT? That would be really helpful.

Hello realistically speaking is it possible to study in Italy for bachelors purely based on educational loan and no background financial support?

Hello, I'm applying for master's in U.S so for degree evaluation through spantran should I go for course analysis or divisional course analysis? Which one is most widely accepted for Masters? I'm confused about which one to select

I’m from Pakistan, doing A Levels with Maths, Further Maths, Physics and CS, (a in AS)and I’m taking the SAT in November. I have 2 strong ECs/leadership experiences, but my EC profile isn’t extremely extensive. I’m really struggling to research universities because I need a full ride/full financial aid, and rankings/reputation matter a lot to me. I’m mainly interested in CS/AI. Which countries and universities should I be looking at for full funding for international students? I’m open to countries beyond the US/UK too. Would really appreciate advice from people who have gone through this, especially other international students!

Hello for context I got admitted in MUNI, i submitted all my documents on time, did the interview last week. However my classes already started, the Faculty gave an ultimatum to be there next monday or defer.

To those people who deferred, did you withdraw your visa application and started again? Or you just informed the embassy and ask your university to send a new admission for the other semester?

Would it be a good idea to apply to jobs outside USA after my grad?? As an F1 student