Donald Trump vs Harvard: Govt blocks university from enrolling international students; what this means for 788 Indians studying there?

Time of India

23-05-2025

In another significant move, the US President Donald Trump's administration, on Thursday, cancelled Harvard University's ability to enrol international students. The step has left thousands of foreign students, including Indian students, in a state of complete uncertainty.
Currently, the situation stands at a point where international students have been told to either transfer to another institution or lose their legal status in the United States.
According to the official website of Harvard, about 500 to 800 Indian students and scholars are a part of the university each year, and 788 students are enrolled from India at the university. But what does it mean for the aspiring students from India?
Donald Trump has just blocked Harvard University from admitting and enrolling international students, terminating Harvard's student visa program. How is this effing legal?!This most certainly will not make America great. Peak brain drain. pic.twitter.com/wBUNIJwgQb
How much does it cost to get into Harvard for Indian students?
To understand the possible consequences on the Indian students, first, we need to understand how much it costs for Indian students to get enrolled at Harvard University.
According to Shiksha.com, the cost of attending Harvard for Indian students varies significantly on the basis of the program and financial needs.
The tuition fees alone can range from around 16.96 lakhs to 67.12 lakhs per year. On the other hand, additional costs such as housing, living expenses, and health insurance can push the total yearly cost to over 75 lakhs per year for some students.
Here's a breakdown of the fees:
Tuition Fees:
B.A.: ₹50.38 L - 52.6 L
M.A.: ₹16.96 L - 63 L
MS: ₹18.13 L - 65.16 L
MBA/PGDM: ₹18.13 L - 67.12 L
Other Costs:
Hostel: ₹6.85 L - 21.44 L (depending on the program)
Living expenses: Varies, but can be significant.
Health insurance: Required and costs around $4,308 (approx. ₹3,50,000) annually.
While another report suggests that the average tuition fee to study at Harvard University are:
$54,269 Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts (INR 46,60,079.03)
Sciences: $54,032 School of Engineering (INR 46,39,727.84
Applied Sciences: $61,768 (INR 5,304,018.16)
In addition to this, there is a good budget for the yearly cost of living expenses.
What made Donald Trump take this move?
The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, issued a letter that noted that the Department of Homeland Security took this move amid the refusal of Harvard University to comply with requests to produce records about its foreign students.
As per Noem, Harvard perpetuates an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students and promotes pro-Hamas sympathies and employs racist diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
However, Harvard noted that the action is unlawful, and it undermines the research mission of the school.
What does this mean for the students already on campus, including Indians?
The move could affect around 6,800 international students who are already enrolled in Harvard University, most of them in graduate programs. As per the official website of the university, about 500 to 800 Indian students and scholars are part of the university each year. Currently, 788 students from India are enrolled at the university.
For them, this could significantly affect them, as they may have to now scramble to figure out their next steps. To avoid losing their legal status in the United States, international students currently enrolled at Harvard must transfer to another university that has earned SEVP certification.
This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments… pic.twitter.com/12hJWd1J86
Let's decode further: this revocation will take effect from the 2025-26 academic year, and the students who are graduating this semester will be allowed to do so, while others might have to seek transfer options unless the decision is reversed or halted by the court.
As per Noem, Harvard can regain its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification if it submits, within 72 hours, protest-related footage, disciplinary records, and documents detailing any unlawful activity by students over the last five years.
Why is Donald Trump targeting Harvard University?
The step by Trump comes after Harvard decided in April to defy government orders to stop pro-Palestinian demonstrations and dismantle DEI programs.
Since then, over $2.6 billion in research funding has been suspended by several US agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and DHS.
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