NSE
NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
The National Student Exchange(NSE) program provides opportunities for you, as an undergraduate student, to study for up to one calendar year at another NSE member college or university.
With more than 170 colleges and universities from which to choose, you should be able to find a campus with just the right combination of courses, facilities, and environment to meet your personal and academic needs and interests.
As you consider the possibilities, you will notice NSE extends beyond the borders of the United States to include U.S. territories as well as some Canadian provinces.
Students participate in NSE in order to:
- Broaden personal and educational perspectives
- Explore and appreciate new cultures
- Widen university boundaries
- Take courses not offered at the home campus
- Learn from different professors
- Access courses with different perspectives
- Explore new areas of study
- Experience personal growth
- Live in a different area
- Investigate graduate or professional schools
- Look for future employment opportunities
- Become more independent and resourceful
- Explore possible graduate programs
ELIGIBILITY
Each year, more than 3,000 students nation-wide participate in NSE. They make progress toward home campus degree programs while studying in new places, meeting new people, and enrolling in specialized courses or unique academic options which may not be available on their home campuses.
Western State College has an application process that includes at least the following minimum eligibility criteria:
- Full-time enrollment at Western State College the semester prior to exchange
- Completion of 24 WSC credits prior to exchange
- Cumulative 2.5 GPA (4.0 scale) or better at time of exchange
- Good standing (academic, personal, and financial)
- Student seeking a degree from WSC
LENGTH OF EXCHANGE
You may participate in NSE for a single term or a full academic year. The maximum cumulative total for exchange participation may not exceed one calendar year.
COURSES AND GRADES
Courses taken while on exchange are included in your GPA. An official transcript is required upon completion of the exchange.
All courses taken while on exchange should be approved by your advisor prior to your exchange. Each student will complete the Transfer Pre- Approval Request Form which is your contract with Western State College determining how those courses will apply to WSC's graduation requirements.
COSTS
There is a $150 non-refundable application fee due upon submission of your application.
There are two tuition payment plans utilized by NSE. Some schools use only one payment plan, while many participate in both - check the NSE Directory for specific plans.
Under Plan A, WSC students pay the in-state (resident) tuition/fees to their host campus.
WSC students who participate on Plan B pay their normal tuition/fees to Western State College.
Colorado residents can use either Plan A or Plan B. Non-residents can use only Plan B and will pay their normal out of state tuition.
Room and meals are always paid to the host campus.
On both tuition payment plans, fees which are assessed as a condition of enrollment (e.g., fees for laboratory courses, general service, computer services, technology, art, and photography supplies) are always paid to the host campus.
You will be responsible for transportation, personal expenses, and sightseeing opportunities while on exchange.
Financial aid for eligible students is applied for, awarded by, and disbursed from the campus at which tuition/fees are paid.
EXPLORING PARTICIPATION
The following are helpful resources as you consider exchange participation and select an appropriate exchange location.
- Meet with your campus NSE coordinator
- Study the NSE Directory
- Review host campus catalogs for course descriptions - These may be found in the Mountaineer Card Office and also by accessing the links from www.nse.org
- Consult your academic advisor – Fill out a Transfer Pre-Approval Request Form
- Consider how much flexibility you have regarding course selection
- Explore participation with parents and significant others
- Determine if financial resources are sufficient for the exchange
- Talk to your financial aid officer
APPLICATION PROCESS
You can obtain an application from the NSE office, located in the Mountaineer Card Office. Submit your application, with a $150.00 non-refundable application fee, and schedule an interview to complete the application process. If you are under 21, your parents need to sign the application.
- Application: Pick up an application in the NSE office (Union 125)
- Deadline for application: February 15, 2008 (You may still apply after this deadline although school choices are more limited. See Jerri Puralewski for more information.)
- Mandatory Meeting #1: February 26, 2008 at 5:00pm, Lake Fork Room, College Union
- Mandatory Meeting #2: March 18, 2008 at 5:00pm, Lake Fork Room, College Union
PLACEMENT
Placements are made through the in-person negotiation of home and host coordinators at NSE's annual conference in early March. Placement probabilities are governed by the number of openings at an institution and the number of students seeking that location.
Many students are placed at the institution they list as their first choice, however it is wise to list alternate choices in order to ensure an exchange.
AFTER PLACEMENT
Placements are confirmed by signing a Placement Acceptance Form at the meeting on March 24, 2006 at 5:30pm in the Schofield Room, Union. Upon receipt of the acceptance form, the host school will forward enrollment materials which usually include a housing application, registration information and other pertinent information which must be completed and returned by the stated deadlines.
At the end
of the term preceding exchange you must have maintained all eligibility
requirements applicable at the time of application. You must also
complete the Advising Agreement governing work to be completed at your
host campus.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING LINKS TO HOST CAMPUSES, GO TO www .nse.org.