Spend a semester or year at another university while staying on track for graduation. Explore new places, meet new people, and experience college in a way few students ever do.
What is NSE?
Experience a Different University Without Delaying Your Degree
The National Student Exchange (NSE) allows UTRGV students to study at another participating university for a semester or full academic year while continuing to earn credits toward their degree. Instead of studying abroad, NSE gives students the opportunity to experience a new region, campus culture, and academic environment within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Whether you're looking for new academic opportunities, personal growth, or the chance to live somewhere completely different, NSE makes it possible to explore another campus while staying on track for graduation.
Quick Highlights
- Study Away - Attend another university while remaining a UTRGV student.
- Earn Transferable Credits - Continue making progress toward your degree.
- Choose From 170+ Campuses - Explore universities across North America and U.S. territories.
- Stay Financially Flexible - Financial aid and tuition exchange options may be available.
How is NSE Different From Study Abroad?
NSE is a domestic exchange program, meaning students study at another university within the NSE network rather than traveling internationally. Students receive the benefits of living and studying in a new environment while remaining connected to their home institution and degree plan.
Important Tuition Note
NSE offers two tuition options:
- Home Tuition Plan – Pay tuition to UTRGV while attending another NSE campus.
- Host Tuition Plan – Pay tuition directly to the university you attend during your exchange.
Your available options depend on the host institution and exchange placement. Learn more here.
Why Participate?
Discover a New Place - Build a New Perspective
College is one of the few times in life when you can live somewhere completely different without putting your future on hold. Through the National Student Exchange, students can experience a new region, campus culture, and community while continuing to make progress toward their degree.
Whether you want to study near the mountains, experience life in a major city, explore a coastal campus, or attend a university with unique academic opportunities, NSE allows you to step outside your comfort zone and make your college experience something truly memorable.
What Can You Gain From NSE?
- Explore a New Part of the Country - Experience life beyond South Texas by living and studying in a completely different environment. From bustling cities to mountain towns and coastal communities, every destination offers something unique.
- Access New Academic Opportunities - Take courses, use facilities, and learn from faculty at another institution. Some students choose campuses that offer specialized programs, research opportunities, or experiences not available at their home university.
- Build Independence and Confidence - Living in a new place challenges you to adapt, solve problems, and navigate unfamiliar situations—skills that remain valuable long after graduation.
- Meet New People and Cultures - Connect with students from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences while expanding your personal and professional network.
- Strengthen Your Resume - Employers and graduate schools value students who demonstrate adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to pursue new experiences.
- Stay on Track for Graduation - Unlike taking time away from school, NSE allows students to continue earning transferable credits while working toward their degree requirements.
More Than A Semester Away
NSE is more than studying at another university. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself, explore new possibilities, and create experiences that can shape your academic, professional, and personal future.
Where Can You Go?
Your Next Campus Could Be Almost Anywhere
Through the National Student Exchange, UTRGV students can study at more than 170 participating universities across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Whether you're looking for a large urban campus, a university surrounded by mountains, a coastal community, or a culturally unique destination, NSE offers opportunities to experience college in a completely new environment while continuing to earn credits toward your degree.
More Than A New Campus
Every NSE destination offers something different. Whether your goal is academic exploration, professional development, outdoor adventure, or personal growth, NSE allows you to discover a new place while continuing your journey toward graduation.
Student Experiences
Hear From Students Who Took Their College Experience Beyond UTRGV
Every National Student Exchange journey is different. Some students choose NSE to explore a new region, others pursue unique academic opportunities, and many simply want to experience life somewhere new.
No matter where they go, students return with new perspectives, meaningful connections, and memories that last long after graduation.
NSE offers study away at colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can study at another campus for a semester or year. If you are interested in new academic challenges or just need a change of pace, NSE may be an ideal option for you. Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2026 online.
Benefits:
- New class opportunities
- Professors and experts in your field
- Research, field study, and internship opportunities
- Investigate graduate schools
- Personal growth/independence
- International and/or intercultural understanding
- Explore the historical and cultural makeup of the U.S. and Canada
- Connections and professional development
- Live and work in a culturally diverse society
You are encouraged to select colleges and universities that will provide learning opportunities to supplement and complement those of your home institution and assist you in reaching your educational goals. You are also encouraged to select campuses that will stimulate personal growth and development and allow you to experience the educational, geographic, and cultural diversity found among NSE's members.
Read below for essential tips for researching your exchange and deciding on an NSE campus.
- Which tuition plan is available to me? NSE students pay HOME or HOST tuition, not both.
- What are my campus eligibility requirements?
- What is the deadline and application process?
- Do I have a flexible academic plan for exchange? If you are dependent on a specific course for graduation or to maintain academic progress, exchange may not be appropriate. Registration in host campus courses is based on offerings and availability and cannot be guaranteed.
- Has my academic advisor approved my plan for exchange?
- Will the host campus offer access to adequate courses for maintenance of academic progress?
- Will participating in the exchange delay graduation?
- How will specialized or unique course offerings at the host campus enhance my academic program and career objectives?
- Am I proficient in the language of my prospective host campus? Classes are taught in Spanish at all campuses in Puerto Rico. At most campuses in Quebec, classes are taught in French.
- Is the host campus on the same academic calendar as my own? If you are moving between quarter and semester calendars, you are encouraged to plan an academic year exchange to maintain academic progress.
- Which tuition plan is available to me?
- How will exchange affect my financial aid?
- Are my financial resources sufficient to cover the cost of exchange?
- Review Placement to understand the process for choosing and prioritizing your exchange school. Your home campus NSE coordinator has access to campus placement history and will advise you on choosing a first-choice campus and back-up choices.
General Eligibility Requirements Prior to Exchange
- Baccalaureate degree seeking undergraduate (matriculating) student at an NSE member campus
- Completion of one term of full-time attendance (12 semester or 12 quarter hours) at NSE member campus prior to application*
- Completion of one academic year (24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours) at an NSE member campus prior to exchange
- Full-time (in classroom) enrollment at your NSE home campus
- Minimum home campus cumulative gpa of 2.5 (4.0 scale)*
- Good academic standing as defined by your home campus
- No incomplete grades from previous terms
- No outstanding financial obligations to your home campus
- No current or pending campus probationary status or disciplinary action due to academic dishonesty, civil, or criminal misconduct
- No current or pending non-campus related probationary status or disciplinary action due to civil or criminal misconduct
* Transfer students may apply for NSE during their first term at the home university at the discretion of the home campus NSE coordinator and potential host campus NSE coordinator. Student may be able to participate in exchange during their second term if they meet and maintain all general eligibility requirements (see above). Student should work with the home campus NSE coordinator to determine specific campus eligibility. Not all NSE member campuses may be able to accept transfer students in the first term.
Your potential host campus may have different or additional eligibility requirements. Please review the Campus Profile for each school you are considering to understand the exchange requirements, as well as any limitations or restrictions that apply to incoming exchange students.
Schedule an appointment with the NSE Coordinator, Jessica Cantu, to discuss more about the program, requirements, and options available to you.
- Submit your NSE application
Create an account on the NSE website and submit your application filling out the necessary information and materials.
- Meet with NSE Coordinator for post-application details
Once you submit your application, details are reviewed, and you will discuss with your NSE coordinator your final options and finalize paperwork.
- Complete post-decision materials
Post-decision documents will be available to complete after being accepted into your program and prior to departing.
- Attend a pre-departure meeting
The pre-departure meeting is mandatory for all students who will be studying away. Dates and times will be provided.
Each member campus has its own application process and selects its own outgoing candidates for exchange. Applicants must meet NSE's eligibility requirements as well as any additional criteria imposed by home and host institutions.
Program Options
Program options (such as study abroad, internships, student teaching, and resident assistant exchange) must be explored with your home coordinator eight to ten months prior to the actual exchange. These options require advanced planning, special arrangements, and, in some cases, additional application materials.
Special Needs
If you require a host campus classroom, housing, or other accommodations due to a physical condition, learning disability, or medical need, we encourage you to share this information when you apply. This will help us support you in selecting a host campus that can best meet your needs.
Commitment
It is important that you explore your exchange participation very carefully prior to actual placement. Select only campuses to which you are willing to exchange, including those which may be second, third, or other choices. Explore exchange participation, including financial resources, with your parents, significant others, academic advisor, and financial aid officer prior to placement, not after.
Each member campus has its own application process and selects its own outgoing candidates for exchange. Applicants must meet NSE's eligibility requirements as well as any additional criteria imposed by home and host institutions.
Application Fee: $150
National Student Exchange Application Link
Application Process
NSE participation is a privilege, not a right. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements and submitting an application do not guarantee your selection or placement.
Your home campus has designed an application and selection procedure to ensure that both NSE and campus standards are met. It is likely that you will be expected to provide a current transcript, letters of recommendation, goal statements for your exchange, and basic biographic data. The application is processed at your home campus and may require a personal interview. Consult your home campus NSE coordinator for details concerning the process and application deadlines on your campus.
Your home campus will assess a fee when you submit your application for exchange participation. This is an application fee and it is not refundable. Your coordinator will not submit a request for placement until the fee has been paid. No refund will be given whether or not you are placed, accept or decline your placement, or withdraw or become ineligible. If you reapply for NSE participation, you may incur an additional application fee.
Once you are selected and placed by your home campus, you are generally not required to complete an additional selection process at your host campus. However, some academic programs may have extra requirements, such as auditions, portfolios, or a higher GPA than your sending campus. Information about these requirements is available in the Conditions tab of each Member Campus Profile. Please review all program requirements and any limitations carefully before submitting your application.
Program Options
Program options (such as study abroad, internships, student teaching, and resident assistant exchange) must be explored with your home coordinator eight to ten months prior to the actual exchange. These options require advanced planning, special arrangements, and, in some cases, additional application materials.
Special Needs
If you require a host campus classroom, housing, or other accommodations due to a physical condition, learning disability, or medical need, we encourage you to share this information when you apply. This will help us support you in selecting a host campus that can best meet your needs.
Commitment
It is important that you explore your exchange participation very carefully prior to actual placement. Select only campuses to which you are willing to exchange, including those which may be second, third, or other choices. Explore exchange participation, including financial resources, with your parents, significant others, academic advisor, and financial aid officer prior to placement, not after.
You can travel to a select number of colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. See the list of colleges and universities through the NSE website.
You are encouraged to select colleges and universities that will provide learning opportunities to supplement and complement those of your home institution and assist you in reaching your educational goals. You are also encouraged to select campuses that will stimulate personal growth and development and allow you to experience the educational, geographic, and cultural diversity found among NSE's members. It is incredibly important that you research the school(s) you are interested in studying at before applying. You can find out more about each school you are considering in the Academics tab and Course Catalog on their campus profile on the NSE website.
NSE Transfer Evaluation Form for U.S. Institutions under a National Student Exchange
- What language are exchange classes taught in?
With the exception of campuses in Puerto Rico and Quebec (see below), the language of instruction at all NSE campuses is English. Students for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate proficiency as part of the home campus application process. TOEFL, IELTS, or other language tests may be required by some host campuses.
The language of instruction at all NSE campuses in Puerto Rico is Spanish. Students must demonstrate Spanish language proficiency as part of the application process.
The language of instruction at several schools in Quebec, Canada (Universite de Montreal, Universite de Sherbrooke, and Universite du Quebec a' Montreal) is French. Students must demonstrate French language proficiency as part of the application process. Following placement, students may also be requested to complete a language placement test.
- How much does it cost?
There is a non-refundable application fee of $150
Students will need to pay host OR home tuition and fees.
Home Payment:
UTRGV students pay normal tuition and fees and will not pay tuition or most fees to their host campus.
Host Payment:
UTRGV students pay in-state (resident) tuition and fees at their host NSE campus. Students placed on Host Pay are not billed tuition by UTRGV and are exempt from paying most student services and university fees to UTRGV. Host Pay tuition rates for each NSE school are listed on each campus profile in the Tuition/Fees tab.
Other Fees/Expenses:
Housing and meals are always paid to the host campus. (If students live off-campus, they are also responsible for those costs). You will also need to pay certain fees directly to the host campus, regardless of your tuition payment plan. These may include fees required for enrollment, such as application, laboratory, general service, computer, technology, or course-related supply fees. Students will also be responsible for the costs they incur for transportation, personal expenses, and sightseeing opportunities.
Reach out to our NSE Coordinator for any questions you may have.
- When is the application deadline?
Check campus availability and deadlines on the NSE website.
Priority placement:
Priority placement allows for a higher likelihood of being accepted into the desired host university. Each campus NSE coordinator determines eligibility for outgoing student applicants to be placed at this event and will accept applications December 1 to March 1 (individual campus deadlines may differ).
- What if I missed the official application deadline?
There are many schools that will still consider your application even if the deadline has passed. Contact an NSE advisor for assistance. It is strongly recommended, however, that you submit your application before the official application deadline. This will greatly increase your chances of being placed at the school of your choice.
- How long can I go on exchange?
You can participate in an NSE exchange for up to one full academic year or a shorter term. For schools on the semester system (as opposed to quarters), this includes fall, spring and summer terms. For schools that have quarters, this includes fall, winter, spring and summer quarters.