National Student Exchange

Important National Student Exchange FAQs

Who is eligible to participate in NSE?

Any full-time student (12 or more hours per semester) enrolled in a baccalaureate program at NAU with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher who has completed at least 30 credit hours at NAU is eligible. We recommend participating in the NSE program in your sophomore or junior year.

How do I select a school?

The NSE coordinator maintains a library of catalogues, as well as the booklet Widening Your Educational Horizons, to help you identify appropriate institutions. You may also review the web page of participating universities indicated below.

You must discuss prospective exchange programs with your academic advisor to determine which institutions have comparable fields of study. Plan to identify several potential exchange institutions.

Participating Universities

Click here to review a list of participating universities.

NSE Database

Ask other former/present NSEers about their home or host school and their experiences while on exchange. This is an invaluable resourc as you can get a first-hand account of what the NSE can offer as well as help with apartment shopping, campus info, and local info.

Database

How long is the exchange?

Normally a student will participate in the NSE program for one semester (fall or spring) or one academic year. You may participate on NSE programs for a total of one calendar year.

What about costs?

On "Plan A," you pay the resident tuition of the host campus, regardless of whether or not you have resident status at NAU. On "Plan B," you pay regular NAU tuition. At the time you apply for the program, you may designate which plan you prefer, but it is the host campus that will ultimately determine on which plan you will be admitted. You will be responsible for paying for expenses for transportation, room, and board.

How does my financial aid apply?

If you are eligible for financial aid, it will apply to the cost of your program. On "Plan B," aid will be disbursed through the NAU financial aid office. On "Plan A," aid will be disbursed through the financial aid office of your host campus. You should consult with the Financial Aid Office early in the NSE application process. NAU tuition waivers may be used only on Plan B.

What about courses and grades?

Before you go on exchange, you will negotiate an advising agreement with your advisor and college dean assuring that your course work taken at the host school will transfer back to NAU, and will apply toward your degree program. You will earn "direct credit" (which means that you will receive courses, credits and grades, which are recorded on your NAU transcript as if you remained at NAU instead of going on exchange) on plan "B" and you will earn transfer credit on plan A. All credits earned while on exchange will count towards your NAU degree, regardless of your exchange plan, as long as you complete and follow your advising agreement.

How do I apply?

After deciding on five (or more) schools for which you would like to be considered, you must submit an application along with a $175 application fee. A screening committee will review all applications and select the participants for the following school year. If we are unable to place you at one of the institutions you selected, you will be refunded $85 ($90 must be paid to the consortium whether you are placed or not).

When is the application deadline?

Applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted by January 31 for the following fall, academic year and spring semesters. Please plan early!

Where do I get more details?

For more information and application materials, please contact:

Shaya Straw

Northern Arizona University
Center for International Education
PO Box 5598, Tinsley Hall, Room 102
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
928/523-2409
shaya.straw@nau.edu