WINONA, Minn. — The number of foreign students boarding at Cotter Schools in Winona has dropped dramatically. This fall has 33 boarders, compared with 55 a year earlier. The Cotter decline reflects a projected loss of 30% to 40% nationally. Why is this happening? In a word: Donald Trump. Analysts point to:
> Visa hassle. Trump has slowed the visa application process at U.S. embassies and in some countries stopped the process completely.
> Perceived hostility. Trump deportation policies against foreign college students have led families to worry about the safety of their children at all levels.
> Re-entry uncertainty. With new Trump scrutiny on foreign students, families fret whether their children can get back through customs after going home for holiday breaks and thus having their schooling interrupted mid-stream.
> Alternative schools. Boarding schools in England, Canada and elsewhere have stepped up international recruiting to exploit the hesitancy about U.S. schooling.
The U.S. enrollment loss is hurting lucrative revenue streams for U.S. boarding schools. At Cotter the tuition, room and board package is $55,000 a year, which is in line with $59,000 nationally. Good news for Cotter is that the international losses have been offset by slow and steady growth in overall enrollment.
Earlier: Cotter Schools enrollment edges up