United States

VIEW MOBILE VERSION

For archived data see Open Doors®

Definitions

Higher Education Institution (HEI): A degree- awarding institution that is accredited at the college level by an agency or association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These schools offer at least a one-year program of study creditable toward a degree and students are eligible for participation in Title IV Federal financial aid programs. Institutions that offer only non-degree awards, such as vocational certificates, are not included.

Public HEI: Educational institutions whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school officials and which are supported primarily by public funds.

Private HEI: Institutions controlled by a private individual(s) or by a non- governmental agency, and are usually supported primarily by non-public funds, and operated by other than publicly elected or appointed officials. These institutions may be either for-profit or not- for-profit.

Inbound/International Student: Individuals studying in the United States on a non-immigrant, temporary visa that allows for academic study at the post- secondary level. Immigrants, permanent residents, citizens, resident aliens (“Green Card” holders), and refugees are excluded from this definition. These students include both degree and non-degree students.

Foreign Student: The United States does not differentiate between foreign and international students.

Outbound Student: United States students (citizens and permanent residents) who are enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions, who study abroad for a short period of time, and then return to their home institutions in the United States to complete their degrees.