Proposal Would Rescind International Education Program Regulations

The Department of Education issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would rescind all existing regulations governing International Education programs under Title VI of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and the Fulbright-Hayes program.

Programs covered by the proposed rule are the National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies, Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language, International Research and Studies, Business and International Education, and Language Resource Centers; and Section 102(b)(6) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, known as the Fulbright-Hays program.

The justification for the deregulatory push is to reduce administrative burden for applicants, provide the Department with greater flexibility to make awards and to align programs with current administration priorities, such as workforce readiness, national competitiveness, and returning education to the states. In addition to its proposed deregulation efforts, ED has entered into an interagency agreement to transfer these programs to the Department of State as part of the administration’s effort to dismantle the Department of Education.

Realigning the Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs to emphasize workforce readiness, national competitiveness, and returning education to the states is inconsistent with the statutory mission of these international education programs.

Federal international education programs were first authorized in 1958 under Title VI of the National Defense Education Act (NDEA). Signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the legislation was a direct response to the Soviet Union’s launch of the Sputnik satellite. Congress deemed foreign language proficiency and global expertise vital to U.S. national security and Cold War diplomacy. These programs were included in the HEA to promote access to and the development of foreign language instruction and international studies. Title VI programs fund multi-year grants for international education and foreign language centers at over 100 institutions of higher education.

The Fulbright-Hays program was enacted in 1961 and signed into law by President John F. Kennedy to promote cultural and educational exchange programs with foreign countries. The program makes individual awards for students and faculty to study foreign languages, international affairs and exchange programs. Over 55 institutions participate in Fulbright-Hays providing over 100 individual grants for advanced study abroad.

Institutions wishing to submit comments must do so by July 31, 2026.

For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Giesecke