The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) on Friday rejected rumours regarding the termination of the long-standing Fulbright scholarship programme — which has given scores of talented Pakistani students the opportunity to study at top US universities over the years.
On Tuesday, the official announcement of the Global Undergraduate Exchange (Global UGRAD) Pakistan Programme’s closure, after nearly 15 years, came as a major disappointment for many aspiring Pakistani students. The programme had offered the chance to spend a semester studying at top universities and colleges across the United States.
Widely regarded as a flagship initiative of US-Pakistan educational exchange, the Fulbright Programme has been in a state of uncertainty since February. This came after the US State Department unexpectedly suspended all cultural and academic exchange activities managed by its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
The Fulbright scholarship traditionally covers airfare, living expenses, health insurance, and tuition fees for the full duration of a student’s studies.
Although initially announced as a temporary 15-day pause, the suspension remains in effect over two months later, with no formal explanation or indication of when it might be lifted. The Institute of International Education (IIE), which administers Fulbright and other ECA-supported programmes, reportedly furloughed employees last month.
Moreover, recent updates to Fulbright scholars currently in the US indicated potential disruptions in stipend payments due to the funding freeze imposed by the State Department.
In response to growing media coverage and public concern over the Global UGRAD programme’s termination, the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) released a statement to clarify the situation.
“Several US government-funded exchange programmes, including the Fulbright Programme, are still active and accessible to Pakistanis,” USEFP said. “Fulbright participants in the US continue to receive their stipends. Any claims suggesting the programme has been cancelled or that students are stranded in the US are inaccurate.”
However, USEFP acknowledged that the US State Department is currently undertaking a strategic global review of its exchange initiatives to ensure alignment with the current administration’s priorities.
“As we receive additional updates regarding the status of US-funded exchange programmes, we will share them accordingly,” the foundation stated.
USEFP reiterated the US’s ongoing commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties with Pakistan, adding, “The US proudly hosts 11,000 Pakistani students in its universities and continues to welcome Pakistani applicants for higher education opportunities.”
Regarding the 54 Pakistani students currently in the US under the Global UGRAD programme, USEFP confirmed they would complete their studies and return to Pakistan as scheduled. “They have been and will continue to be provided with their stipends and all associated programme benefits,” it said.
The Fulbright Programme continues to maintain a significant presence in Pakistan, offering financial support for postgraduate studies including Master’s and PhD degrees, along with opportunities such as the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant fellowship.
According to the US Embassy in Islamabad, over 4,000 Pakistanis have benefited from the Fulbright scholarship since it was introduced in 1951. In total, more than 9,300 Pakistanis and around 935 Americans have taken part in USEFP-managed exchange programmes.
Still, the ongoing lack of clarity from Washington has fueled concern over the future of the Fulbright programme and broader academic relations. Pakistani students are increasingly anxious about potential visa issues, regulatory challenges, and evolving political attitudes that may hinder their educational prospects in the US.
Some students who spoke to *Dawn* mentioned that even minor issues—like traffic violations or administrative errors—have led to serious visa complications. Often, these problems only come to light when a student tries to re-enter the US or seeks work authorisation.
In some instances, students lost their legal status unknowingly, as federal agencies reportedly no longer inform universities of such changes.
