National Student Exchange
National Student Exchange 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 Spring 2025 Online.
NSE Application Fee: $150
Book an appointment with an NSE coordinator here or go to the NSE website to find out more about the program. NSE is also hosting virtual info sessions where they review the basics of NSE (tuition, financial aid, course options, housing, and research tips) and answer your questions.
National Student Exchange 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 Spring 2024 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.
Paloma Quintero
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
ESTAC 3.128
(956) 665-3572 | Paloma.quintero01@utrgv.edu
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.
The potential host campus may have different and/or additional eligibility requirements: Consult the Campus Profile for exchange requirements, limitations and restrictions which apply to incoming exchange students at the school(s) you are considering for exchange.
- Book an appointment with your NSE Coordinator here
Schedule an appointment with the NSE Coordinator, Paloma Quintero, 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 will need host campus classroom, housing, or other accommodation due to a physical challenge, learning disability, or medical condition, you are encouraged to identify yourself at the time of application for assistance in selecting an exchange site 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
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 selected and placed by the home campus, NSE applicants generally are not subjected to a further selection process by their host campuses unless they have chosen academic programs requiring auditions, portfolios, or higher gpa than required by the sending campus. Information on requirements of this nature is available at the Conditions tab of the Member Campus Profiles. Carefully review program requirements and limitations prior to submitting an 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 will need host campus classroom, housing, or other accommodation due to a physical challenge, learning disability, or medical condition, you are encouraged to identify yourself at the time of application for assistance in selecting an exchange site 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.
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.
- 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). Also paid to the host campus, regardless of the tuition payment plan, are fees that are assessed as a condition of enrollment (e.g., application, laboratory, general service, computer, technology, art and photography supplies, etc.). 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 here.
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.