In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has suspended all U.S. foreign aid programs, including educational scholarships, impacting over 1,500 top-performing Egyptian students who had secured fully funded spots at prestigious universities.
Emails sent to students under USAID-funded scholarships and the Tomorrow’s Leaders (TL) program confirmed that their funding has been paused for 90 days due to a new executive order halting foreign development assistance. Many students—some of whom were on the verge of graduation—have been expelled from their universities with no prior warning and are now scrambling for alternatives.
What Led to This Decision?
The situation stems from a sweeping policy shift by U.S. President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order immediately freezing all non-military foreign aid until a full review is conducted to align funding with his administration’s foreign policy.
According to a cable obtained by Reuters, the State Department and USAID were instructed to issue “stop-work” orders for all foreign aid programs, with only military financing for Israel and Egypt exempt from the freeze.
A former USAID official, Jeremy Konyndyk, condemned the decision, calling it:
“Lunacy… This will kill people. A lot of people will die.”
He argued that the decision wasn’t about evaluating aid effectiveness but rather a “wrecking ball to break as much stuff as possible.”
What This Means for Students
As a result, students at AUC, Zewail City, Galala University, Ain Shams University, and Cairo University—who were studying under USAID scholarships—have found themselves in a dire situation.
Some students attending training camps at AUC were abruptly told to pack up and leave, as funding was cut off immediately.
The affected students had earned their scholarships through a highly competitive selection process, excelling in exams, academics, and extracurriculars. Many come from families that cannot afford tuition, which is why they were granted these scholarships in the first place.
Now, they are left with only two options:
- Find a way to cover tuition costs, which, for most, is financially impossible.
- Seek other educational options, despite having missed the deadlines for public university placements.
This decision not only disrupts their education but also leaves those close to graduating at risk of losing years of hard work.
AUC and Student Bodies Respond
With no immediate solution in sight, students and university administrations are calling for urgent action.
The AUC Student Union (SU) issued a statement reassuring students that they are actively working with the administration to find solutions:
“We stand firmly with you and will not let your dreams slip away. While the university cannot directly resolve the issue, we are treating this as a top priority and will keep you updated.”
However, as it stands, no alternative funding has been secured.
Trump’s Foreign Policy Shake-Up
The USAID scholarship freeze is just one part of Trump’s larger foreign aid policy shift. His administration is reviewing all U.S. assistance programs, affecting not just education but also health, humanitarian relief, and civil society support worldwide.
According to the State Department cable, Trump’s decision has:
- Frozen foreign assistance for over 150 countries.
- Halted health programs that support maternal care, childhood vaccinations, and HIV/AIDS treatment.
- Cut funding for refugee camps and humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, Syria, and Sudan.
Even Republican officials have voiced concerns.
Exceptions and Military Waivers
While educational and humanitarian aid is frozen, military aid continues without disruption.
- Israel will still receive $3.3 billion annually.
- Egypt’s military financing remains untouched at $1.3 billion.
- Other U.S. allies, including Ukraine, Taiwan, and Jordan, also remain funded.
What Happens Now?
With thousands of students left in limbo, Egyptian officials and student groups are calling for immediate intervention. There are no guarantees that funding will resume after the 90-day review period, leaving students uncertain about their futures.
A growing online campaign is urging media outlets, influencers, and policymakers to pressure the U.S. government into reconsidering the suspension.
If no resolution is reached, Egypt’s brightest students could be permanently forced out of higher education—an irreversible loss for the country’s future.
The USAID scholarship crisis is a devastating consequence of Trump’s foreign aid freeze, affecting not just Egypt but students worldwide. As universities, students, and advocacy groups push back, the question remains:
Will the U.S. government reconsider, or will these students be left to fend for themselves? Better yet, will the Egyptian government intervene? Or other institute will handle their tuition?
Only time will tell.
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