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National Student Exchange (NSE)

National Student Exchange facilitates collegiate study away among member colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin Islands.

What is NSE?

To qualify for the NSE program, students must meet the following criteria:

  • 2.5 cumulative UAS GPA at time of application and time of exchange
  • Admitted full-time degree-seeking student
  • In good academic, judicial, and financial standing
  • Minimum of 24 earned baccalaureate credits at the time of exchange, not application (16 of which must be from UAS)

Students interested in the program must attend UAS for a year before leaving on exchange.

A $225 non-refundable fee is due at the time of application. Any placements made after the priority placement date in February will incur an additional $50 late fee.

Depending on university selection and space availability, a student participating in NSE usually has the option to continue paying tuition and general fees to UAS or in-state resident tuition and fees at the host school. These financial options are indicated as Plan A or Plan B. Course or lab fees, orientation, parking and other specific fees are paid to the host campus. Some universities require NSE students to pay a small NSE activity fee as well.

Options
  • Plan A: Student pays residential tuition and fees at the host institution.
  • Plan B: Student continues to pay UAS for a total of 15 credits and general fees per semester.

Housing & Meals

Students typically live in student housing and purchase a meal plan, both of which are paid to the host campus and vary from location to location. For more information, NSE has campus budgets and details related to each participating institution. In some cases, students have the option to live off campus.

Transportation

All local transportation and travel costs to and from host institution are the responsibility of the student.

UA scholarships, tuition waivers (only Plan B), loans, grants and scholarships may be used by NSE participants. Students participating in NSE on Plan A will need to contact the host institution's Financial Aid office to arrange tuition payment.

It is the responsibility of the student to have all courses reviewed prior to leaving UAS. The Credit Equivalency Form denotes how many credits will be accepted and the specific requirement each course satisfies. General education, major, minor, and elective courses may be taken. When the student returns to UAS and has submitted a transcript from the host institution, the exchange courses are then listed on the UAS transcript with grades, the number of credits, and cumulative grade point average.

Participants sign a NSE Terms of Agreement form before departure that states it is the responsibility of the participant to obtain a transcript from the host university after exchange completion. The transcript is to be mailed to the UAS Academic Exchange office, specifically to the Exchange Coordinator. If a transcript is not obtained by UAS, a hold will be placed on the student's account. A NSE hold can remain on a student's account for up to one year. After one year, the student will receive a grade of "F" for the 15 credits per semester while on exchange.

To apply, please complete the following:

  • Download the NSE Application Information Packet that explains the process and contains required forms.
  • Download and fill out the NSE Application
  • Complete two academic reference forms. One must be from a UAS faculty member, the other may be from an advisor or dean with knowledge of your academic history. 
  • Download an unofficial transcript of all UAS coursework found on UAOnline.
  • Write a personal statement which consists of a general short essay (approx. 500 words). Consider your personal, academic, and professional  goals for exchange and why you think you are a good NSE candidate (what has prepared you to be successful as an NSE participant).
  • Select a recent photograph for your file. Make sure we can see your face clearly.
  • Pay the Non-refundable $225 application fee and collect the receipt. Payment should be paid to Student Accounts

The above items can be emailed individually or altogether or mailed to the Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinator, University of Alaska Southeast, 11066 Auke Way, Juneau, AK 99801

The priority placement deadline is Feb. 21, 2021 for the following fall and/or spring semesters, as well as the full academic year.

Applications submitted after the priority deadline date will incur an additional $50 late fee and may not be completely processed until April 1st. This application will be filled as a post-conference application.

Most NSE Universities accept students on a rolling basis depending on availability. However, you should try to apply by the priority deadline to increase your chances of being placed at your top choice.