They do need money to support their various programs, do they not? They do charge tuition, do they not?
this is actually a success story when compared to pre-9/11
Uh, no, it's not. Read between the lines of what the Egyptian parents are saying: this is not some newly developed ingenious plan to sneak into the US -- it's SOP. The "exchange program" of one month netted Montana U. $4500 a head, with 11 students disappearing, and the university announcing that they've washed their hands of them, they've just netted $49,500, free and clear, because it's prepaid and certainly non-refundable.
You can be fairly certain these disappearing acts happen in similar college and university programs all over the U.S. The difference with this one is the large number involved -- 11 out of 17 flew the coop -- and the fact that someone alerted the media.
Higher ed lobbyists fought the computer reporting system tooth and nail both before and after 9/11, for good reason. Foreign students -- particularly ME students -- are cash cows, and the more that prepay and don't show up, the better -- for the colleges and universities.
Charging tuition does not equal making money (i.e. a profit or surplus).
I personally favor foreign exchange programs. It's good to actually meet other people rather than hide under your sheets and post on FR.
Before 9/11 there wouldn't have been a nationwide search for these men. This is a success.