Student Numbers
How many students should I expect to participate?
Twenty-five to 30 students is an average number, but the range is from as few as five to as many as 175. Conference placement and annual exchange statistics are available from the NSE Central Office.

Application Form
Is there a standard NSE application?
NSE can provide sample applications, but there is no standard NSE application. Campuses often use models from other campuses or even applications utilized for other programs, such as study abroad, on their own campuses. (see NSE Handbook Section 15.5)

Eligibility Criteria for Exchange
What are the eligibility criteria for exchange?
Participation in the National Student Exchange is a privilege, not a right. At minimum, to qualify for participation in the National Student Exchange, a student must: be a full-time student at the home campus at the time of application and in the term prior to exchange; have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the time of application and at the completion of the term prior to exchange; meet any additional requirements of the host institution (e.g., higher GPA for admission to certain programs, or submission of portfolio or taped audition for fine arts programs); be an undergraduate student (note: post-baccalaureate and graduate students may be exchanged at the discretion of the sending and receiving institution); be in good standing (academic, financial, and social/behavioral) as defined by the home institution; and be able to demonstrate an adaptability for short-term change, as well as personal and educational goals consistent with the program. Apart from these general qualifications, each member institution establishes its own requirements for NSE participation as it affects both outgoing and incoming students. (see NSE Handbook Sections 12.1.1, 12.1.2, 15.2, and 15.3)

Special Needs (Physical Challenges and Learning Disabilities)
Should students with special needs consider exchange?
Physically challenged students or those with learning disabilities must consider if the environment and support services at their prospective host campus will be able to meet their special needs. While the NSE application process cannot specifically ask about special needs, it can invite students to voluntarily disclose disabilities or special conditions such as the following: medical condition which might require immediate attention during exchange; condition which might affect emotional or mental well-being during exchange; physical condition for which accessible, on-campus housing or classroom accommodation might be needed; or documented disability which may require academic accommodation (e.g., notetakers, taped texts). The home coordinator, through observation and other on-campus referrals or references, may also be able to ascertain needs and discuss them with the student in a supportive and counseling environment during the application process. (see NSE Handbook Section 15.3.4.6)

Selecting Tuition Payment Plans (A or B)
How does a student select in which manner to pay their tuition/fees?
Campuses utilizing a single plan are limited to work within that plan. For instance, if the member campus only uses Plan A, students can only be exchanged on Plan A. When both A and B are possible, the student needs to carefully analyze the cost differentials remembering that state and local scholarships and aid may be restricted for use on one plan or the other. Another consideration may be the probability of placement using one plan or the other. Conference placement and annual exchange statistics are available from both the Fort Wayne and Buffalo NSE Offices.

Selecting Campuses
How should my students go about selecting campuses?
A good starting point is to ask students write out their personal and academic goals for participation. They will usually select an area they would like to visit and then identify campuses that will meet those goals. It is important to have them consult with their advisors, family, and NSE coordinator. (see NSE Handbook Section 15.3.4)

Student Application Fee
For which students do I owe the NSE Central Office a student application fee?
Application fees are assessed to all students submitting applications for exchange during NSE's academic/fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). This includes applications for students placed prior to the annual conference, at the conference, following the conference, or mid-year. Fees are owed regardless of placement, acceptance of placement, or subsequent withdrawal after placement, and are due in the Fort Wayne Office by June 30 of the year in which the student submits an application for exchange. Application fees should be collected by the home campus throughout the year and kept in a campus account. (see NSE Handbook Section 6.6.2)

Student Application Fee Amount
How can I determine an appropriate student application fee to charge?
Begin with the current application fee due to the NSE Central Office. Next, analyze your fiscal need. Are you fully funded by your campus/office budget, or do you need to raise fees to cover the costs for NSE membership or the conference, etc? Divide the fiscal need by the expected number of applicants and add that figure to the NSE application fee. Error slightly on the high side for financial safety reasons. The current average student application fee is $125.

Interview
Should I interview NSE applicants?
NSE strongly encourages you to interview your students as part of the application process. Most coordinators find that it is helpful to have students verbally discuss their exchange in some way. Interviewing is one way to get faculty involved with your campus program. (see NSE Handbook Section 15.7)

Language Proficiency: Puerto Rico
What level of language proficiency is required for students going to and coming from Puerto Rico and Quebec?
Students planning to exchange from campuses in Puerto Rico or Quebec must be proficient in English. Students should be interviewed and certified for English language proficiency at their home institution by a faculty member or administrator whose first language is English. Students planning an exchange to campuses in Puerto Rico must demonstrate Spanish proficiency. They should be interviewed on their home campus and certified as proficient by a faculty member or administrator whose first language is Spanish. Students planning an exchange to campuses in Quebec must demonstrate French proficiency. They should be interviewed on their home campus and certified as proficient by a faculty member or administrator whose first language is French. It is the responsibility of the home coordinator to ensure that their outgoing students are proficient in the language of instruction at their host campus.

International Students
Can international students participate in exchange?
Each campus decides whether or not it will send and/or receive international students. There are specific Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations governing exchange participation for international students. Both Plan A and Plan B outgoing students should remain registered at their home campuses. The I-20 form is maintained at the home campus for students who remain registered. (see NSE Handbook Section 12.1.5)