Pandemic pushes steep drop in foreign college students

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Colleges in the U.S. have seen a sharp enrollment drop among international students this fall.

University administrators say a number of hurdles and new policies brought on by the coronavirus pandemic are to blame.

A new survey out this week shows a 43% drop among new international students enrolled online or in-person. And total international enrollment fell by 16% when including both new and returning students.

Many foreign students were unable to get visas earlier this year when American consulates were closed because of the pandemic.

Others were stranded because of travel restrictions or faced financial problems related to the outbreak.