OU international students fear deportation over fees

NORMAN — A dozen international students at the University of Oklahoma are worried the inability to pay outstanding fall semester balances will lead to a change in visa status and deportation, a senior from Bolivia said Wednesday. “We feel really helpless,” said the student, who did not want her name or major published. “We came to OU to pursue a dream to get an education.” She said she only lacks three classes to complete her degree and graduate. OU spokeswoman Lauren Brookey said about 6,500 students who had overdue accounts were notified by the Bursar's Office on Oct. 8, and again each month after, that they could not enroll for the spring semester until those balances were paid. The total amount owed was $55 million, Brookey said. All but 454 of the students

— including 14 international students — made arrangements to pay the balances, she said. Brookey said it can be very difficult for international students to secure private loans and they aren't eligible for federal financial aid. “An essential agreement with our students is that payment of tuition and fees is required to attend OU. Each semester we have students who face hardships and financial challenges. Our student services offices do their utmost to advise and support students who seek to find payment options to remain in college,” she said. As of Wednesday, there were 12 international students who may have concerns about losing their student visa status, and one has contacted the International Studies office requesting special treatment, she said. Brookey said officials don't know the location of the other 11 students, but some may have gone home. The student from Bolivia declined to say how much she owes, but said international students have balances ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. She said she received the payment notices, but thought she had until graduation to pay the balance. In the past, the policy to pay for one semester before enrolling in the next one has been in place but not enforced, she said. “I found out if I didn't pay they could send me home,” she said. “I got really worried.” She has talked to advisers and professors, and tried to get an appointment with the president but was told he had no time in his schedule, she said. Her hope is seniors who are close to graduation will be given more time to pay. In the meantime, she said she is keeping up with the three classes she needs to graduate.