US Cuts Leave Afghan Women's University Without Major Funding Source

For a student named Laila, the end of US funding arrived in the middle of the night with a single email. The message confirmed that the United States would no longer support the American University of Afghanistan, a move that threatens the stability of one of the few remaining institutions where women in the country can earn degrees. As of 2026, this decision leaves the university's future uncertain and its students in limbo.

Laila, a mid-twenties political science major, is part of a student body of approximately 1,000 individuals, three-quarters of whom are women. Since the Taliban seized control of the physical campus, she attends classes through an online program. She joins lectures from home, often with her camera off and an alias, knowing her classmates mostly by their voices. "I just know their voices," she noted.

Her academic journey has been interrupted repeatedly. When the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, she was close to finishing her semester at another university in Kabul. A subsequent ban on women's education announced in December 2022 stalled her progress. She eventually secured a scholarship to the American University of Afghanistan, allowing her to restart her studies, though she notes that not every woman had that chance. "Not every girl got that opportunity," she said.

Daily life for these students is marked by persistent fear. Laila worries that Taliban authorities might search her phone and discover university communications. She has reported that officials have entered her home multiple times to inspect family belongings. "It's always in the back of my head that maybe tomorrow it's my turn," she explained, highlighting the anxiety that accompanies her secret education.

The university was founded in 2006 with the backing of former US First Lady Laura Bush, who pledged millions in aid. The initiative was intended to train future leaders, with a specific focus on women. Patrick Fine, who served as the Afghanistan mission director at USAID, recalled that some agency staff viewed the project as risky, while critics questioned the expense. The Bush administration, however, saw it as a way to stabilize a young democracy and build goodwill for the interim government.

Questions about the university's finances emerged later. US inspectors launched an investigation into its accounting practices in 2016. By 2018, they reported that poor record-keeping made it difficult to trace exactly how aid money was spent. John Sopko, a former federal inspector who oversaw the probe, expressed surprise that funding continued, stating, "I was surprised they were still funding AUAF."

The State Department's press office recently explained the funding cut by citing the university's "history of repeated lack of accountability for millions of American taxpayer dollars." Fine disputed this characterization, calling it "smear tactics." While he acknowledged that audits showed the university struggled with USAID's strict rules, he emphasized that they "didn't find major fraud" and described the institution as a "worthy investment" due to its unique reach among Afghan women.

Although other donors exist, the United States has historically covered nearly 90% of the university's costs, according to a 2018 report. The State Department said the university is "free to identify other funders and partners," meaning the end of American aid does not automatically shut down operations. However, the refusal of a $25 million grant leaves a significant gap that the university must now fill to continue.

For Laila, the financial blow feels personal. She described losing all motivation and hope since learning of the cut. She has barely left her room and often wonders if she will be able to attend another lecture. She had expected to graduate years ago and pursue a master's degree abroad. Now, she wonders if she might only find her way forward in five or ten years.