International students are facing the possibility of being charged a new fee to study at universities in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule Oct. 27 that would add a $100 fee to the costs foreign students already face to attend a university.
This fee, according to the proposal in the Federal Register, would cover the cost of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
SEVIS is a system that maintains current information on exchange and visiting students while they are in the United States.
Gillie Haynes, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson, said SEVIS was created as a reaction to the Sept. 11 World Trade Center bombings.
Natalie Rigby, director of the International Services Office, said the fee, is “just one more encumbrance” for students that desire to travel to America.
Rigby said students will pay for the SEVIS fee, which could go into effect as soon as summer of 2004, far ahead of the date they enter the country. She said the extra $100 could discourage some students from applying.
“Our National Association is worried it is one more deterrence,” Rigby said.
Rigby said that no other countries charge this type of fee and therefore it could negatively affect foreigners’ perception of the United States.
“There certainly will be some critiques,” she said.
Francisco Aguilar, a graduate student from Ecuador, said the fee could result in diminishing numbers of students coming from abroad.
Aguilar said he payed hundreds of dollars to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, to apply for a visa, and to take the Graduate Record Examination. He said these costs add up, and “that means lots of money.”
He said Europe offers several scholarships for students, and an additional cost could be an issue for students who are strapped for money.
Haynes said the fee goes toward the maintenance of SEVIS. This includes gathering and storing information on exchange students as well as keeping that information current.
Haynes said she does not believe this fee is unreasonable.
“I don’t see why there would be [any opposition],” she said. “This is a much-needed program.”
Haynes said if a student is “serious about studying here,” a fee should not deter him or her from doing so.
She said SEVIS helps the government “to be able to allow and welcome all legitimate foreign students” while making sure they are enrolled properly at the same time.
The fee will be paid to the Department of Homeland Security if it is passed. Haynes said most schools fought against taking responsibility for the fee.
There will be a period of 60 days in which any comments made on the proposal will be considered by the DHS. Students can send questions or comments to the DHS anytime during the 60-day review period. At the end of this time, all comments will be reviewed and the fate of the fee will be determined.