IN the 15 years she’s been helping Jamaicans study abroad, founder & CEO of AIM Online Academy Nicole McLaren Campbell says this is the first time she’s witnessed such “unprecedented” moves by the United States regarding policies that impact foreign students.

Last week Tuesday, the North American country ordered a suspension of student visa processing as President Donald Trump’s Administration ramps up vetting of applicants’ social media. This follows an earlier move by the US Department of Homeland Security to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign nationals. In response, Harvard sued the Government and a judge suspended the order by the US Government entity, pending a hearing.

“I think the moves by the United States are unprecedented, certainly right now, but it is what it is and right now, international students just have to be aware of what the new rules are, what the facts are, and respond accordingly,” McLaren Campbell told the Jamaica Observer.

AIM Online Academy has nurtured many students who have matriculated to prestigious institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge universities in the United Kingdom and all eight Ivy League institutions in the United States.

McLaren Campbell shared that the Trump Administration’s stance on Harvard, and specifically international students, has affected one of her students who was admitted to the university this year.

“Anybody that gets admitted to Harvard also has other options, in terms of they could have been admitted to other excellent schools, so we have advised the student to not bother with Harvard and to just move forward with a different option because, at the time, it just seemed too risky,” she told the Sunday Observer.

She noted that while the changes have not had any immediate effect on scholarships offered to international students, it is too soon to speculate whether there might be a change. However, she added that over the last five years, scholarship opportunities for international students have dwindled.

According to McLaren Campbell, schools such as Howard University once gave full scholarships to international students, but now they offer half scholarships or less to foreign nationals.

The CEO urged Jamaican students to build out a strong academic profile and have strong Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores to ensure they are competitive candidates for both public and private scholarships, and up their preparations for applications.

“You can’t afford to say, ‘Oh, it’s test optional, I’m not gonna do that.’ Everybody should be building the strongest, most compelling possible profile from now, because the truth is, if you’re applying to start college next year August, the early applications are due from October this year…We tell all our students to apply early. Everybody that applied early [for the upcoming academic year] already have their student visa, they’re not even looking at this news, but they also get better scholarship if you apply early — that means you would need to be prepping and sitting the SAT now [if you plan to go overseas next year],” she said.

McLaren Campbell warned that if students do not make themselves competitive, and the number of scholarships available diminish, they might miss out on scholarship opportunities.

“You have to create the strongest possible profile,” she insisted.

The CEO added that she was not surprised when the Administration announced a halt on student visa applications with plans to ramp up vetting of applicants’ social media media pages. She urged Jamaicans not to panic, and instead be mindful of what they share online.

“Social media is an issue that is bigger than just what is happening with the US Government, and we really have to teach our young people that digital footprints are forever, and that employers also vet social media. If you’re running for office, if you’re trying to do anything in the future, digital footprints are forever, so this is a big teachable moment for not just international students who aim to get the US student visas, but for all of us,” she said.

“But young people, in particular, because they are digital natives, it’s second nature for them to do everything on social media, but it’s not okay and so we really have to re-emphasise this to our students,” she added.

The CEO noted that while the move directly affects students who are starting college in August, there are some parents and students who plan to enrol in US-based universities next year that are worried about their chances. She urged them to be prepared, and noted that they can also expand their options.

“There are countries that are worth exploring for sure, and we’re seeking to make sure students understand their options. I think we need to also understand what our options are regionally. The University of the West Indies (UWI) has great internationally certified programmes. They have study abroad agreements with different schools, the Caribbean Maritime [University] has some great programmes with other opportunities for global exposure as well, so for parents and students looking to have a global education, you can study in the region and still be able to have a global experience.

“I’ve been talking to some of the folks up at [The] UWI and it’s just going to be up to us to really make sure we communicate this to students, guidance counsellors and help parents to really understand their options. There is no need to panic,” she said.

“We’re obviously not dismissing the US. The US remains the country in the world that has the most scholarships and the biggest scholarships for international students and some great institutions, that has not changed,” she added.

“I’ve been talking to these colleges and they love their international students, and they will do whatever is in their power to keep having their international students, so with this visa pause, I think calm is required. It’s not permanent and students need to just be ready because it will open up,” said McLaren Campbell.

She further noted that international students do a lot for colleges regarding their ability to reach their budget.

According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, approximately 1.1 million international students at US colleges and universities contributed US$43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 378,000 jobs.

“It’s a very important line item for colleges and I’m just not seeing this as permanent. We don’t know how long the pause is going to be, but I always tell my students control your controllables. It’s not in our control how long the pause will be, we are not the government, and so you just have to be ready when [student visa applications] reopens,” she added.

Despite the different changes over the years, McLaren Campbell said AIM has always adjusted to successfully guide its students on their educational journey.

“There have been so many changes in international admissions over the past five years that we don’t panic, we get the facts. We have such a vast network of college admission officers, those that work at the United States Embassy, we reach out to there, and we just are able to separate the facts, and based on our experience and those networks, we’re able to provide our parents with insight and the public with insight,” she said.

MCLAREN CAMPBELL…there have been so many changes in international admissions over the past five years that we don’t panic, we get the facts

People hold up signs during the Harvard Students for Freedom rally in support of international students at the Harvard University campus in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 27, 2025. (Photo: AFP)