National Student Exchange
Interested in expanding your academic journey beyond UNI?
With UNI’s National Student Exchange (NSE) program, you can spend a semester or two studying away at a university in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands. NSE is open to all academic undergraduate majors. You can choose from over 165 institutions that offer UNI students opportunities to experience a new region of the country, or North America, while paying UNI tuition.
Learn how to get started with the process below. You are also welcome to set up a first steps meeting with our office to learn more.
Upcoming Deadlines
With specialized courses and unique opportunities, we recommend planning ahead and meeting with us sooner rather than later to fit NSE into your academic plans. We will help you every step of the way with finding a university, selecting classes, and navigating the application process. Below are the upcoming term deadlines:
- Spring 2026 Exchanges: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through October 1, 2025 (though some campuses may close earlier!)
- Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Exchanges: The priority placement application will become available in December 2025.
- Summer 2026 Exchanges: Information coming soon!
Experience college beyond UNI!
With careful planning and coordination with your academic advisor and our staff, you can complete courses at the host institution that count towards major, minor, UNIFI, or elective credits. In the advising process, you will work with our staff to be guided through course approvals using the NSE Transfer Credit Evaluation Form. Through careful collaboration with your advisor in our office, you will work with your academic advisor to select courses at the host campus.
- Your UNI department will review and approve these courses for transfer.
- Approved credits and grades will transfer back to UNI.
- Important Information to Note:
- Courses taken at the host campus do not count toward the 32 UNI residency credits required for graduation.
- NSE cannot guarantee enrollment in any course at another institution. Students should meet with their academic advisor and our staff, and have a flexible academic plan while on exchange.
How do I pay for NSE?
UNI is a Home Payment school, allowing you to pay UNI tuition while attending another Home Payment campus. Room, board and special fees are assessed at the host campus. Transportation and other expenses are additional costs and must be taken into consideration.
One of the key advantages of participating in NSE is that you can apply your existing financial aid, which includes your UNI awards, federal, and most state-based scholarships, grants, and loans, toward your exchange experience. This means your current financial support can help cover the cost of studying away. Financial aid needs are assessed and awarded by UNI, and we recommend meeting with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to discuss your aid package.
Upcoming Deadlines
With specialized courses and unique opportunities, we recommend planning ahead and meeting with us sooner rather than later to fit NSE into your academic plans. We will help you every step of the way with finding a university, selecting classes, and navigating the application process. Below are the upcoming term deadlines:
- Spring 2026 Exchanges: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through October 1, 2025 (though some campuses may close earlier!)
- Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Exchanges: The priority placement application will become available in December 2025.
- Summer 2026 Exchanges: Information coming soon!
Experience college beyond UNI!
With careful planning and coordination with your academic advisor and our staff, you can complete courses at the host institution that count towards major, minor, UNIFI, or elective credits. In the advising process, you will work with our staff to be guided through course approvals using the NSE Transfer Credit Evaluation Form. Through careful collaboration with your advisor in our office, you will work with your academic advisor to select courses at the host campus.
- Your UNI department will review and approve these courses for transfer.
- Approved credits and grades will transfer back to UNI.
- Important Information to Note:
- Courses taken at the host campus do not count toward the 32 UNI residency credits required for graduation.
- NSE cannot guarantee enrollment in any course at another institution. Students should meet with their academic advisor and our staff, and have a flexible academic plan while on exchange.
How do I pay for NSE?
UNI is a Home Payment school, allowing you to pay UNI tuition while attending another Home Payment campus. Room, board and special fees are assessed at the host campus. Transportation and other expenses are additional costs and must be taken into consideration.
One of the key advantages of participating in NSE is that you can apply your existing financial aid, which includes your UNI awards, federal, and most state-based scholarships, grants, and loans, toward your exchange experience. This means your current financial support can help cover the cost of studying away. Financial aid needs are assessed and awarded by UNI, and we recommend meeting with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to discuss your aid package.
Where will NSE take you?
The National Student Exchange (NSE) provides students with study away opportunities across the United States, its territories, and Canada. Students can choose from over 165 locations. The top 5 destinations include:
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- New Mexico State University
- University of Montana
- Montana State University
- University of Idaho
When exploring study away or study abroad opportunities, we encourage you to choose universities that enhance your academic experience and support your educational goals. Look for campuses that align with your personal strengths and offer a chance to engage with the diverse educational, geographic, and cultural environments available across the NSE network.
Nearly 85% of NSE applicants are placed at their first-choice campus. Review this page to understand the placement process. Below is a guide for understanding the chance of placement at each campus you may be considering. Campuses establish individual exchange acceptance policies:
- OPEN = Accepts 100% of qualified students
- EXCELLENT = Accepts 75-99% of qualified students
- GOOD = Accepts 50-74% of qualified students
- LIMITED = Accepts 25-49% of qualified students
- MOST COMPETITIVE = Accepts less than 25% of qualified students
- CLOSED = Not currently accepting students
Get Started with your adventure!
Ready to start the study away process? From your first meeting with our office until you return to campus after completing your exchange, all the steps are listed below so that you can know exactly what to expect as you prepare to embark on your new adventure!
Info Meeting: Optional meeting with a Peer Advisor to talk through the process of placement, application, and explore the different campuses offered.
First Steps Meeting: Once you have decided on participating in NSE, meet with your advisor in our office to go over next steps and specific details including academics, costs, scholarships, etc.
Complete Online Application: After your First Steps Meeting, you will be emailed a link to the online application. Complete the application by following the instructions and reading through the materials. You will also input your academic advisors information to receive their recommendation.
Meeting with Academic Contact: Meet with your academic advisor to determine how the courses you plan to take away will transfer back for credit. With NSE, it is important to ensure you have a healthy number of course options and flexibility in your academic plans.
Sign Acceptance Letter: Once your online application has been completed and your recommendation has been received, our office will review your application and accept you. You will be emailed a link to your acceptance form, which you will need to review and sign, indicating your commitment. Signing this document allows you to move forward in the process.
Begin your Journey: Once committed, you will work with our office to begin the placement process with NSE. Our team will guide you through the formal application process within NSE's platform and to the host campus.
Why Study Away with NSE?
- Explore a New Region: Immerse yourself in a different part of the country or continent, from the mountains of Montana to the deserts of New Mexico.
- Affordable Adventure: NSE offers a cost-effective way to study away, with UNI’s Home Payment model allowing you to use your existing tuition and financial aid.
- Academic Enrichment: Access courses and programs not available at UNI, enhancing your academic experience and broadening your skill set.
- Career-Boosting Experiences: Add unique, real-world experiences to your resume that demonstrate adaptability, initiative, and independence.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in NSE, you must meet the following criteria:
- Maintain a UNI and a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better at the time of application and exchange
- Have completed at least 30 UNI hours at the time of exchange
- Retain full-time status as a UNI student at both the time of application and in the semester prior to exchange
- Be considered in good standing with UNI
- Meet with our staff for a "First Steps" meeting and complete the application process for NSE following the meeting
Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for exchange.