July 22, 2025
In a significant move influenced by political pressures, the University of Tennessee Knoxville has decided to terminate its scholarship program aimed at Chinese students. This decision comes amid growing scrutiny from Republican lawmakers who have raised concerns about the implications of such partnerships.
Earlier in July, Representative John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, reached out to several U.S. universities, urging them to sever ties with the China Scholarship Council (CSC). He described the CSC as a “malicious entity” that undermines U.S. educational institutions while bolstering China’s military and technological advancements.
The CSC, which operates under the auspices of China’s Ministry of Education, collaborates with American universities to facilitate scholarships for Chinese students pursuing advanced degrees. This partnership was intended to support ten students at UT Knoxville in their doctoral and master’s studies, with the CSC covering in-state tuition and other associated costs.
On July 10, UT Knoxville officially ended its agreement with the CSC, following the mounting pressure from lawmakers. This decision reflects a broader trend among U.S. educational institutions reassessing their affiliations with Chinese organizations.
Several other universities have already distanced themselves from the CSC prior to Moolenaar’s correspondence. For instance, Dartmouth College concluded its partnership in 2024, as reported by its student publication. Similarly, the University of Notre Dame has been gradually phasing out its program this year.
The House Select Committee has been actively scrutinizing various programs that link Chinese entities with U.S. higher education. In November, Moolenaar urged the University of Michigan to terminate its collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, citing concerns over military research being conducted for the Chinese government. The university subsequently announced the end of this partnership in January.
Other institutions, including Georgia Tech and the University of California, Berkeley, have also faced similar pressures and have ended their collaborations with Chinese educational organizations in 2024.
As the landscape of international education continues to evolve, institutions are increasingly evaluating the implications of their partnerships, particularly those involving foreign governments. This trend highlights the growing intersection of education and geopolitics, prompting universities to navigate these complex relationships carefully.