Clayton News Daily

Clayton State University’s foreign students add $1.7 million to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact statement highlighted by Director of University Relations John Shiffert.

The statement, he said, was released through the National Association of International Educators –– originally called the National Association of Foreign Students Advisers (NAFSA).

During the 2010-11 school year, Shiffert said, Clayton State had 62 foreign students, who contributed $1,725,800 to the United States economy.

“NAFSA recently estimated that, overall, foreign students and their dependents contributed approximately $18.78 billion to the U.S economy –– and $5.2 billion in just the southern states –– during the 2010/2011 academic year,” said Shiffert.

He added that NAFSA’s annual Economic Impact Statements estimate the amount of money foreign students bring to the United States to support their education.

During the observance of International Education Week –– Nov. 12-16 –– NAFSA posted personal stories on its blog about the positive impact foreign students have on the states’ economies, and communities around the country, he said.

“Brett Reichert, state assistant director of the International Student Services Office, recently posted an article on the NAFSA blog devoted to such stories,” Shiffert added.