Emirati Americans are citizens and residents of the United States who have roots, origin and descent from the United Arab Emirates. There are over 2,000 Emiratis staying in the U.S., the vast majority of whom are students pursuing education across various universities and institutes. A large number of long-term UAE residents in the country have gone on to become American nationals.^{[citation needed]} According to a report produced by the Institute of International Education, there were more than 1,200 Emiratis living and studying at US universities during the 2008–09 academic year. This was a 24 percent jump from the previous year and reflected the growing trend of Emirati students choosing the U.S. as a base for higher education. Out of those figures, 60 percent were undergraduate students, 17 percent were graduate and 21 percent were studying at a non-degree (English language and other short-term training or non-degree programme) level. A further 2 per cent were proceeding with optional practical training after the conclusion of their academic courses. The UAE government has implicated a wide range of services to Emirati nationals in the states, often in the form of financial support and funding.