Thursday, October 8, 2026

Source: Higher Ed Dive · proposed rule to the Federal Register

A $70,000 question for international students

The Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule on Wednesday that would make colleges pay $70,000 for each international student seeking work authorization through Optional Practical Training, plus $30,000 for extensions — up to $100,000 per student. Colleges would have to pay before they can even recommend a student for the program, something that has never carried a fee before. The proposal goes to the Federal Register on Thursday for a 30-day public comment period; DHS says the fee would take effect 60 days after a final rule.

About 294,000 international students did OPT in the 2024-25 academic year, more than double the roughly 120,000 a decade earlier — and in a fall 2025 survey of 828 institutions, 92% of college leaders said international students would likely choose other countries without it. DHS says the fee is needed to curb fraud and abuse and to force colleges to be more selective, warning it may shut the program down entirely without the fee. NAFSA chief Fanta Aw countered: “Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.”

For educators: your international office’s OPT recommendation letters would each carry a five-figure price tag — paid by the college, before the recommendation is made.

For founders: anyone selling into international-student recruitment just watched their buyers’ budgets take a hit.

Sources: Higher Ed Dive · proposal published for Federal Register public inspection

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NextRoom (nextroom.ca) — a free mutual-aid platform built by students at uOttawa, Carleton and UQO that matches students who have a spare room with students who need one. Free to use.

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