EDINBURG – Funding could soon be affected if a downward trend for international student enrollment continues.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley spokesperson Patrick Gonzalez sid international students account for 3.1 percent of the total student body.

It’s a percentage, he said, that impacts the total enrollment number and funding.

Gonzalez attributed the low numbers to several reasons. According to him, the increasing price for attending a university is difficult to afford, especially doing so abroad. 

Secondly, he said competition against other universities for international students is ongoing.

Gonzalez also mentioned the recent shift in immigration policy and philosophy caused hesitation for students interested in coming to the U.S.

The university spokesperson said they’re trying to recruit and provide those students with all answers they want. However, “it's those unanswered questions from other areas, from the federal government, that these students are struggling with at this time.”

CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to a student who recently graduated from UTRGV. Luke Mazingham obtained an athletic scholarship to study at the university. He played soccer and graduated with a degree in Exercise Science.

Mazingham said he hopes student athletes from other countries aren’t dissuaded from coming to the U.S. for an education.

“It's very sad, because I encourage everybody to do what I did- to be able to come out to America because it's such a great opportunity,” he said.

UTRGV recruiters said they’re stepping up their methods to avoid the continued downward trend that could impact funding later on.