Cost and Financial Aid

Application Fee

A non-refundable $185 administrative fee is charged to all NSE applicants. Your U of M student account will be billed the $185 administrative fee when you submit your application. This fee is used to support the operation of the NSE program, including services provided to you both before and during your exchange. Remember that this application fee is NON-REFUNDABLE, so be sure you're serious about NSE when you apply.

Tuition and Fees

There are two tuition plans available through NSE:

Plan A

U of M students pay in-state (resident) tuition and fees at their host NSE campus. Students placed on Plan A are not billed tuition by the U of M and are exempt from paying most student services and university fees to the U of M. Plan A tuition rates for each NSE school are listed in the NSE directory, or on this NSE page.

Plan B

U of M students pay their normal tuition and fees to the University of Minnesota Rochester.

PLAN B IS THE DEFAULT PLAN: It is procedure to first attempt to place all students under Plan B. On the application, students may also indicate if they are willing to be placed under Plan A. A school may consider the applicant under Plan A only if they cannot accept the student under Plan B.

Other Fees/Expenses

Housing and meals are always paid to the host campus. (If you live off-campus, you are also responsible for those costs). Also paid to the host campus, regardless of the tuition payment plan, are fees that are assessed as a condition of enrollment (e.g., application, laboratory, general service, computer, technology, art and photography supplies, etc.). You will also be responsible for the costs you incur for transportation, personal expenses, and sightseeing opportunities.

What about financial aid?

This information is intended for a general audience and does not apply to every U of M student. We strongly encourage you to meet with a financial aid representative to learn more about your specific financial aid situation. Contact OneStop to schedule an appointment to discuss financial issues.

Students who participate in National Student Exchange are eligible for most forms of financial aid. The tuition plan of your exchange determines the source of financial aid funding:

• Students on Plan A (tuition and fees paid to the host institution) receive financial aid funding from the host institution and must apply through that institution for those funds. (An NSE advisor will assist you with this process.) Financial aid is not available through the U of M for students on Plan A.
• Students on Plan B apply for and receive their funding from the U of M (including most scholarships and grants). Financial aid is not available through the host institution for students on Plan B. If you're a Plan B student, College Work Study funding cannot be applied to the National Student Exchange.