Study in the United States, Puerto Rico & Canada

The National Student Exchange (NSE) is a member organization made up of colleges and universities in the United States and its territories which provide students with the opportunity to go on exchange to a different institution of higher learning in another region of the country.

Through this exchange with the NSE Organization, a college or university is able to expand the scope of educational offerings at minimal additional cost to the student and the institution. Opportunities to study through NSE exist at nearly 200 campuses, and programs can last from one semester to a calendar year. Students may study in a variety of locations, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.  Students may also choose to study in Canada on campuses where English and French are the langauges of instruction.

Academic Requirements

Eligibility: A student must have a minimum 2.5 GPA during the school year prior to their semester atthe host school to be enrolled full time. Some programs require a higher grade point average. Students must have been enrolled for credite during at least two consecutive semesters immediately before the semester or year abroad. A minimum sophomore standing is required for eligibility.

Requirements: While studying at the host campus, the student is required to obtain a minimum of 12 credits in order to retain full-time status and not lose financial aid elgibility. Courses at the host institution may not be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. As with practically all semester and summer off-campus and international programs, grades earned while studying off-campus are NOT factored into the student’s TCNJ GPA.

How It Works

Students apply to study in NSE as they would any other “study away” or “study abroad” program.  Students might want to experience a different part of the country, or study at a university with a certain speciality not available at TCNJ.  Students review the list of campuses and select at least three institutions in the NSE network that would satisfy them.  Students complete the NSE application, and TCNJ’s NSE coordinator will take their applications to the national placement meeting in March.  If the other school has a place for our student on their campus, they will accept our student.  If not, then TCNJ’s NSE coordinator will take the application to the second choice school.  This process is repeated until a placement is made.

Over 75% of NSE students gain entry into their first preference.  Those who don’t usually chose “Hawaii!”  The University of Hawaii campuses, while not impossible to reach, are challenges.   We highly recommend that students consider institutions that might not be a famous, or as large, as “the big schools,” but that might welcome NSE students with open arms and treat them to a unique study away experience.  The University of Alaska in Fairbanks is a great campus!  Why not give it a shot?!

Costs

TCNJ students participating in National Student Exchange apply under “Plan B.”  TCNJ assesses tuition and fees at the rate normally paid.

The student is expected to pay whatever fees are assessed as a condition of enrollment (e.g. general service fee, laboratory fees, art and photography supplies, techonology fees, etc.).  Room and meals are always paid to your host campus.

The student is responsible for, but not limited to, the following while on exchange:

• Transportation

• Personal expenses

• Sightseeing opportunities

NSE Financial Aid

In general, eligible students are awarded financial aid from the campus at which they pay their tuition and fees.

Eligible TCNJ students exchanging under Plan B (tuition & fees paid to the home campus) apply at TCNJ for federally-funded financial aid, as they normally do. If you currently receive College Work Study, do not expect CWS to be available while on exchange.

NSE Application Process

The student’s first choice placement is not guaranteed and it is advised that the student list at least two alternative choices.  Students applying to NSE from TCNJ must have at least three possible locations for their placement.  Students who only have one or two NSE locations selected will not have their applications submitted into the NSE placement system.

Once accepted by the host university, it is the student’s responsibility to set up housing and register for classes. The host school’s NSE coordinator must be contacted for the proper procedure.

• Spring 2013 Deadline: September 25, 2012

• Fall 2013, Year 2013-2014 Deadline: February 25, 2013

Please ensure that ALL documents are completed and hand delivered together, in their entirety, to Green Hall 111 by the application deadline.

Click on the link in order to download the form and print it out from your own computer:

Title	Description
Application Fee	$400 — Paid to Student Accounts (Green Hall 119) Make checks payable to The College of New Jersey and include your TCNJ PAWS ID Number.This fee is non-refundable once the applicant is accepted into the program.
Title	Description
Transcript	Log onto PAWS, go to “Academic Records” and click on “Request Official Transcript” and have it sent (there is no fee) to Green Hall 111.*For Transfer Students ONLY : In addition to your TCNJ transcript, please also request transcripts from all previous institutions you have attended. Have these transcripts sent to Green Hall 111.
Medical Examination	Available On-LinePhysicals are available at TCNJ Health Services free of charge. To make an appointment, contact Student Health Services via phone at 609.772.2483 or via email at hlthserv@tcnj.edu
Copy of Health Insurance Card	(If you do not have health insurance, please indicate so in writing.)
National Student Exchange Student Application	Available On-Line