A $100K fee for the OPT program? Trump administration officials are considering implementing a $100,000 fee for international students to participate in the Optional Practical Training program, which allows them to work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation, the Wall Street Journal reported . A $100,000 fee for the OPT program could significantly hamper international enrollment. The vast majority of college officials surveyed last year said they believe international students would choose other countries for their education without OPT. Roughly 294,000 international students participated in the OPT program during the 2024-25 academic year, according to data from the Institute of International Education .