Western Undergraduate Exchange, also known as WUE, gives new university students from qualifying states the opportunity to save on tuition. Understanding those three letters, and your WUE eligibility, can save you up to $12,000 in tuition at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ.
Who qualifies for WUE?
Universities that are a part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) have the option to offer WUE awards to new students. Each university that decides to offer a WUE award is able to set their own criteria for eligibility, which means that WUE eligibility is not consistent across WICHE institutions.
One criterion all of these schools do have in common is that WUE is available to students living in the following locations: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. These locations are based on WICHE guidelines.
Other than that, requirements for WUE can be all over the place.
Many schools offering WUE have grade point average (GPA) or test score requirements. Other universities may reserve the WUE award for specific majors—usually majors with fewer students. Some schools have a separate WUE application; others do not. Most schools do have a WUE application deadline.
With all these different requirements, it can be tricky at some schools to track down WUE requirements. So, if you want to take advantage of a university’s WUE program, here are three things you should do:
- Go to their website to see what information is available. Remember, some schools only offer WUE to certain majors. If your major does not meet WUE eligibility, you want to know sooner rather than later.
- Connect with an admissions coordinator at the university to gather additional information, especially if that information isn’t online.
- Apply early. Applying for admissions (and WUE) early ensures that you meet WUE deadlines. If a university limits WUE awards to a certain number of students, you want to make sure you are one of them.
How do I apply for WUE?
WUE at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ is easy.
Admitted students from qualifying locations will be automatically considered for WUE at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ. We have no separate application and WUE is open to ALL majors.
Our academic requirements for WUE are:
- New freshman: 3.25 unweighted cumulative GPA or a 24 ACT composite score or 1160 SAT combined score.
- New transfer: Must have completed 24 transferable semester credits and have a 3.0 transfer GPA.
At the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, qualified new freshman and new transfer students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming can be considered for WUE.
For the most up-to-date information and a full list of details, check us out online at the WUE website.
How much money can I save with WUE?
Students awarded WUE can save up to $12,000 a year on out-of-state tuition.
Can I combine WUE with other scholarships?
Yes, our WUE award is stackable with outside scholarships. Students that are awarded WUE at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ may also be considered for other University awards, including the Presidential or National Merit scholarships. Be sure to check our financial aid page for more details.
What if I don't qualify for WUE?
If you don't meet the WUE eligibility requirements, you may still be eligible for reduced tuition through the Nevada Advantage program. Visit the Nevada Advantage website for additional details on eligibility.
Questions about WUE?
Our WUE specialists are happy to work with you to navigate this process. Feel free to reach out to us at wue@unr.edu with any questions you may have.
Go Pack!
Natalie Ehleringer a Program Officer for the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ’s Office for Prospective Students. Natalie’s 26+ years of expertise includes assisting students and families with the freshman and transfer admissions process, and the University’s Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and Nevada Advantage policies, as well as office operations.
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