"I fear permanent expulsion if my tuition fees are not paid by the end of the second semester in May," an Ain Shams University (ASU) engineering student, who was benefiting from the USAID-funded programmes, told Ahram Online.
Trump’s decision has affected approximately 1,077 students at 13 public and private Egyptian universities that are covered by the USAID-funded programmes.
According to Tuesday's Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research statistics, 877 of the 1,077 students are enrolled at 12 Egyptian public, private, and national universities, and 200 are enrolled at the American University in Cairo (AUC).
Accordingly, students relying on USAID-funded programmes for tuition, academic resources, and future opportunities have been left uncertain.
USAID: A lifeline for Egyptian students
“We were working at the camp [winter camp] when it was suddenly halted. They [coordinators] informed us that a decision had been issued [by President Trump] leading to USAID suspending its activities, and as a result, everyone now has to go back home,” unveiled a sophomore at AUC.
The AUC organizes a two-week winter camp to enhance students' soft skills. The camp is part of broader initiatives supported by USAID.
The USAID funds two key scholarship programmes in the AUC: the University Scholarships Programme and the Egyptian Pioneers and Scientists Programme.
According to AUC's website, USAID provides life-changing opportunities for Egyptian students, offering four- to five-year undergraduate scholarships in a diverse range of distinguished academic disciplines.

USAID-funded Egyptian Pioneers and Scientists Program infographics. Photo on AUC website.
The website indicates that scholarship recipients are placed in one of 13 partner universities across Egypt, including public and private institutions.
“I cannot comprehend how students were suddenly told, the scholarship has stopped! Pack your things and leave, there is no place for you here until further notice," a former beneficiary of the USAID scholarship wrote in a social media post.
Another student on the USAID scholarship said: "The issue is not only affecting AUC students; there are people studying abroad on scholarship who will no longer receive their stipends or university funding. I'm one of them."
Dreams on hold
“For us as second-year students [returning students], we cannot return to the universities we were originally admitted to before joining the USAID scholarship program,” an engineering student at ASU said.
After Trump’s decision, “I tried to check if I could go back to Helwan University, but they told me it was not possible because more than a year had passed since my original admission,” he clarified.
Another student said: "Since I’m in my second year of college and high school certificates are only valid for two years, I can no longer retrieve my certificate to apply to another institution. It would not be possible if I wanted to return to my first university.”
Moreover, a sophomore student with a visual impairment at AUC shared his concerns: “If I am unable to complete the journey I have been on for the past two years, I will not start over from the beginning at another university."
Bridge courses challenge
According to students' testimonies, two emails were sent out to them on Sunday night.
The first addressed newcomers, informing them they would no longer receive the USAID scholarship.
Many newcomers received the email after completing their bridge semester, a preparatory programme designed to equip scholarship recipients with the English language skills necessary for academic success. They had been preparing to begin their studies in just a few days.
Meanwhile, others received the email midway through their bridge year, with one semester left to complete.
Social media discussions among students revealed that this group includes approximately 110 individuals.
These students are not yet officially registered at AUC, as completing the bridge year/semester is a prerequisite for formal enrollment. Thus, they are stuck between phases.
The second email was sent to returning students. It informed them that their status was still under review and promised updates on the next steps as soon as they became available.
Ministry takes action
On Tuesday, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour chaired an online emergency Supreme Council of Universities meeting to discuss the situation of students on USAID scholarships.
In a statement, the ministry emphasized the importance of protecting the academic future of scholarship students in all Egyptian universities under the council’s supervision.
“Universities will cover all tuition fees and financial support previously provided by USAID for these students until the end of the second semester,” read the statement.
The statement added that the AUC will cover the expenses of the 200 Egyptian students enrolled in the scholarship during the second semester and will continue coordinating with the ministry on future arrangements.

Minister Mohamed Ayman Ashour during the online emergency meeting. Photo by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Universities' reactions
On Tuesday, ASU President Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen affirmed the university's full support for its scholarship students. He said the university would cover all their tuition fees if they adhered to academic standards and maintained discipline.
Zain El-Abedeen added that the university will ensure all necessary facilities, including academic support and quality accommodation in dormitories, to maintain the same quality the students are accustomed to.
In addition, the AUC’s Student Union Representatives (SU Rep) have actively engaged with the university administration to address this critical issue, according to their Facebook page.
The university said it will fully cover tuition, dorm fees, and stipends for all current USAID students. This includes students in the Tomorrow’s Leaders (TL) programme, a separate American-funded initiative, for Spring 2025.
Furthermore, the SU Rep said it is actively pushing for tuition and dorm coverage for bridge students and is continuing discussions with the administration to address their situation.
In response to the AUC community’s suggestions, the SU Rep will launch a crowdfunding campaign with a Google Form available for contributions.