(U-WIRE) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.--Many of the University's Asian students face a serious problem: Their funds for school are drying up. Because of the collapse of several Asian currencies, the dollar value of money sent to students by their families has declined. If American students faced a similar problem, they could simply find work or a second job to make up the difference. But current federal immigration laws prevent foreign students from holding most jobs, and almost 500,000 students nationwide are affected. These students are in crisis; many might be forced to leave their studies and return home.

Kay Thomas, the University's director of International Student and Scholar Services, recently requested that the Board of Regents offer tuition waivers to affected students. Depending on student need, the Foreign Student Tuition Waiver will cover 25, 50 or 100 percent of non-resident tuition. A 100 percent waiver would reduce a student's cost to resident tuition. For those who cannot even pay resident rates, deferments are under consideration as a backup.

These actions will cost the University money, mostly in lost revenue. But more can be done also to help affected students help themselves. Rep. Mike Jaros, DFL-Duluth, chairman of the House International Affairs Committee, is calling on the federal government to temporarily lift the work ban, which is the real problem. The federal restrictions are designed to ensure that foreign students are really here to study. But for Asian students, the point is moot. Without work, many won't be able to study at all.

While students affected by the crash are caught in a web of unfriendly federal rules, pressure is on schools to find their own solutions. A special Korean Student Association meeting recently suggested making available long-term loans with low interest rates and increasing hiring of international students in academic departments. Jobs, loans, scholarships and fundraisers are the solution.

The University has a proud tradition of helping students affected by disaster. Waivers and deferments have been offered before, to students whose countries have suffered economic collapse or political crisis. Last year it reached out to students hurt by the Red River flood. All members of the University community should work to ensure Asia's economic maelstrom doesn't drown our fellow students.