Data Sought on Foreign Students as NH Residents Face College Rejections

CONCORD, N.H. — Deputy House Majortiy Leader Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) is pressing the University System of New Hampshire for answers about how many international students are currently enrolled at the state’s public colleges — and how many New Hampshire high school graduates have been denied admission in recent years.

Rep. Joe Sweeney Letter to USNH

In a letter submitted under the state’s Right-to-Know Law, Sweeney formally requested data from Chancellor Cathy Provencher on the number of foreign students attending UNH, Keene State College, Plymouth State University and the College of Professional Studies, along with the number of in-state applicants who were rejected each year over the last four academic cycles.

The request reflects growing concern among some state lawmakers and residents that public institutions are prioritizing international and out-of-state revenue over access for New Hampshire students — despite receiving tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer support each year.

“New Hampshire taxpayers are paying the bills,” Sweeney wrote in an accompanying press statement, “and they deserve to know whether their own children are being turned away while seats are filled by students from overseas.”

Concerns Over Admissions Priorities

Each year, hundreds of New Hampshire students apply to USNH institutions, with many hoping to attend the flagship University of New Hampshire in Durham. While the majority are accepted, publicly available figures show that several hundred in-state applicants are denied annually — even as international students continue to enroll.

According to a report, UNH currently enrolls several hundred international students, while smaller campuses such as Keene State and Plymouth State host a smaller but consistent number of students from abroad.

Sweeney’s inquiry aims to determine how many of those seats are being occupied by international students while New Hampshire residents are left out.

Public Dollars, Foreign Students

USNH receives approximately $95 million annually in state funding. That money supports faculty, facilities and operations across the university system. While nonresident students pay higher tuition rates, all students benefit from the resources made possible by state appropriations.

Sweeney’s letter underscores the belief that public funding should primarily benefit New Hampshire families, particularly as tuition and the cost of college continue to rise.

New Hampshire families have also grown frustrated with the high cost of in-state tuition, which has pushed many local students to seek more affordable options in other states. Critics argue that the system’s focus on attracting full-tuition students from outside New Hampshire only worsens the accessibility gap for in-state students.

Legislative Scrutiny Expected

Sweeney’s request could add momentum to efforts in the Legislature to reexamine how public universities are allocating resources and who is being prioritized in the admissions process. While there is no evidence that international students are receiving direct state aid, critics point out that any use of public dollars to educate foreign nationals — while qualified New Hampshire students are rejected — raises serious concerns.

Under state law, the university system must respond to Sweeney’s request within five business days. The data, once released, is likely to inform policy discussions around higher education funding and admissions in the coming months.

If the numbers show that a significant number of New Hampshire applicants are being denied while international enrollment remains steady, it could reignite debate about the mission of the state’s public colleges and their obligation to the families who fund them.

“The taxpayers of this state should come first,” Sweeney wrote in the request. “This data will help us understand whether that principle is being upheld.”