The National Student Exchange
What is the National Student Exchange?
The National Student Exchange (NSE) is a consortium of four-year colleges and universities in the United States and its
territories which have joined together for the purpose of exchanging students, with tuition reciprocity, among the
member institutions. NSE is the only program of its kind in the country and serves as a national resource for
inter-institutional study throughout the United States. NSE offers study opportunities at diverse university settings
and provides access to a wide array of courses and programs; field experiences, co-op, and internship options; and
resident assistant, honors, and study abroad opportunities. In addition to its U.S. sites, NSE is partnering with
several universities in Canada.
Program Budget
What kind of budget is needed for my campus program?
Day to day operating expenses for the NSE program on the campus are minimal and usually accomplished within an existing
budget. The two major budget items are the annual membership fee and conference attendance. The budget should include
some money for program promotion. Most campuses set higher student application fees than that required by the
consortium and use the difference to help fund their program. (see NSE Handbook Section 11.3)
Plan A vs. Plan B
What are the differences between Plan A and Plan B?
On Plan A, students pay the in-state or resident tuition/fees of and to their host campus. On Plan B, students pay
their normal tuition/fees to their home campus. Room and meals are always paid to the host campus. Students apply for
financial aid at the campus where they pay their tuition. (see NSE Handbook Sections 3.1, 3.2, 14.6.1, and
14.6.2)
Open, 1:1, Even, Uneven
What are the definitions of open, 1:1, even, and uneven?
An open campus accepts all eligible students seeking a placement. A campus which is 1:1 accepts students first from
campuses where it intends to place its own students. Additional students are accepted as space permits. An even
campus accepts no more students than it sends out. An uneven campus accepts just a few more students than it sends
out.
Semester vs. Quarter
What problems arise from exchanges that are semester to quarter or the reverse?
The major problem is the translation of credit hours from one calendar to the other and making them fit into the home
degree program. Beyond that, the timing of financial aid disbursement and the adjustment to a different academic
calendar at the host campus are the greatest concerns. Students exchanging to campuses which are on a different
calendar than their own should consider an exchange for the full academic year. (see NSE Handbook Section
15.3.3)
Liability/Risk Management
What are the liability issues associated with exchange?
Liability issues are complex and vary from state to state. While students remain degree-seeking students at their
home campuses, they are subject to the rules and regulations of their host. Areas of potential risk associated with
exchange participation are little different than remaining on the home campus. They may include maintenance of
academic progress, health and safety, discrimination, financial, drug and alcohol issues, natural disasters, linkage to
host campus study abroad or other off-campus programs, and academic and social behavior. Examples of waivers and/or
hold-harmless statements are available from NSE. (see NSE Handbook Section 21.0)
