A third-party vendor received payments from the University of North Texas to “recruit” international students from 2018 through at least 2023.
According to internal financial documents, UNT entered into a two-year agreement with the Edwise Foundation in April 2021. That agreement superseded a previous one from 2018.
The agreement contained an option to renew for one year, although the documents do not indicate if this option was exercised.
The agreement established the Edwise Foundation as an officially recognized, nonexclusive representative of UNT for the recruitment of international students who reside abroad and are ineligible for federal financial aid.
Edwise’s core purpose was to actively recruit students into UNT’s degree programs and the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI).
A detailed commission structure, which outlined how Edwise is compensated for successful student recruitment, was the central feature of the agreement.
For full‑time degree‑seeking students residing outside the United States at the time of application, Edwise received a flat $3,000, split into two installments of $1,500 after the first and second semesters.
For international transfer students already in the U.S., the commission received $1,500, paid in two $750 installments across the first two semesters. For IELI‑only students, Edwise received $500 upon enrollment in the first term, contingent on full‑time participation in both communication and writing courses.
Beyond these core elements, the agreement set out standard contractual provisions: a two‑year term with automatic one‑year renewal, termination rights for both parties, compliance requirements related to governmental regulations, and indemnification obligations protecting UNT from liabilities arising from Edwise’s actions.
UNT retained full authority over admissions and I‑20 issuance.
Edwise Foundation describes itself as “an independent Student placement agency based in Kathmandu, Nepal, has been committed to empowering Nepalese students to access higher education in the united states [sic].”
The University of North Texas did not reply to a request for comment for this story.
Texas Scorecard has sent a series of follow-up open records requests.
The University of North Texas is a component of the University of North Texas System. The UNT System is overseen by a Board of Regents appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Carlos Munguia of University Park is the current board chairman.
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