National Student Exchange Program
Enrolled Hours
- 6 hours is considered half-time for financial aid purposes
- 12 hours is considered full-time for financial aid purposes
National Student Exchange Specific Information
- The following is information you need to know if you plan to use financial aid for a National Student Exchange program. This information is the latest available; however, changes in policies and procedures do occur – you are urged to accept responsibility for seeing that your application for financial aid is being processed in a timely manner. The procedures are the ones that the Financial Aid Office must observe, and so must you, to ensure that you will be notified of the types and amounts of aid offered and/or that aid funds will be received prior to your scheduled departure for your National Student Exchange experience.
- National Student Exchange programs are available for colleges and universities in the 48 continental United States, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. There are also participating schools in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Quebec.
- The University’s Satisfactory Progress Policy applies to all students.
Payment Plans
National Student Exchange has two payment plans, Plan A and Plan B. If the school you will be attending offers both plans, you must select one.
Plan A Information
Students pay in-state (resident) tuition/fees to their host campus, and apply for financial aid through that institution. MAP grant may only be possible if the host school is located in Illinois. Contact the Financial Aid Office at the host school. Contact the Financial Aid Office at your host school for all information concerning financial aid for your NSE semester.
Plan B Information
Students pay normal tuition/fees to their home campus (i.e. through Illinois State). Only Illinois State attributed hours can be counted for aid, including MAP grant aid. Be sure to see the ISU Financial Aid office if you have any questions.
- The Illinois State Financial Aid Office must have valid SAR data well in advance of the semester in which you will be doing the National Student Exchange, and your financial aid file must be complete.
- After your file is completed, your aid will be calculated and you will be notified of your eligibility. You are responsible for following directions and completing any additional steps necessary to receive aid.
- After you are accepted into a National Student Exchange program, the NSE Office will notify the Illinois State Financial Aid Office.
- Regulations do not allow Financial Aid to be released early. Example, if your program is in the spring semester your aid cannot apply until that semester begins in January. Therefore, if there are charges due in October, you will have to pay those.
- If you are eligible for MAP Grant, it can be used for Plan B Illinois State hours.
- You may want to consider making a parent or other close relative your Power-of-Attorney (POA) prior to leaving for the exchange college. If you would be eligible for a refund from the Student Accounts Office, the POA would be able to endorse and deposit the check for you.
- Update your Illinois State mailing address to the POA’s address prior to leaving.
- Check your aid status on the iCampus portal to see if there is any other information we need from you, and to review your award notice.
Plan A or Plan B Information
Some schools offer both plans. Illinois State’s NSE office has a list of schools and their corresponding plans. It is suggested you file your financial aid application at least three months prior to the semester in which you want to begin the National Student Exchange.
Contact the National Student Exchange Coordinator at the Office of International Studies and Programs in Fell Hall Room 308 by phone at (309) 438-5365 for more information.
