SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 30: Sept 11 attacks and stiffer background checks for visas have not hampered foreign students’ entry into the United States, with a record number of students worldwide rushing to get education in America, according to a new study.

A record 582,996 international students enrolled at American colleges in the past school year, up by 6.4 percent from last year, according to a study compiled by the Institute of International Education, New York.

The study showed international students contributed about 11.95 billion to the US economy in 2001-2002.

For international students, the most popular destinations in the United States were California 78,741 students), and New York (62,053).

The largest percentage of international students came from India, with 66,836 students. China sent 63,211 students.