The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE, pronounced “woo-ee”) is a regional tuition-discount agreement administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WUE enables students from one of 17 WICHE states and territories in the Western U.S. to enroll as non-residents in participating public colleges and universities and pay a discounted tuition rate.
The WUE tuition rate is not automatically applied. However, WUE eligibility is determined at the time of application. Qualifying students will be emailed a WUE application to their Cardinal Mail following acceptance to NIC.
- Maintain a bona fide residency in a WUE state or territory.
- Not be seeking to establish residency in the state of Idaho.
- Recipients must remain in good academic standing (maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average).
- Time accrued while receiving this award cannot be used for establishing Idaho residency for tuition-paying purposes.
Residents from the following states and territories are eligible for the WUE tuition rate:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Wyoming
- Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
- Federal States of Micronesia
- Guam
- Republic of Marshall Islands
Applying for the WUE Program
- Thoroughly review the WUE qualifications and requirements to ensure qualifications are met.
- Submit the WUE application emailed to qualifying students by the deadlines. Applications must be submitted by the 10th day of the fall/spring semester and the 5th day of the summer term.
WUE applications will be reviewed within three to five business days once received. When a WUE application is approved, the Admissions Office will adjust your residency and tuition rate.
If you do not qualify for the WUE tuition rate based on your WUE application, you will be notified and your residency and tuition rate will not be adjusted to the discounted rate.