Letter/Number of presentation: LL7 Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): Regional Tuition Reciprocity Makes Cents for the West Margo Colalancia, Director of Student Exchange, WICHE, Western Region Greg Smith, Associate Vice President, Planning, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, California State University, East Bay, CA
Create more affordable out-of-state study opportunities for students
Regional Student Exchange WICHE was created in 1953 as a result of gubernatorial concern and action to expand access to professional education via the Western Regional Compact for Education.
AK Percent Change Between 2004-05 and 2014-15 in Total High School Graduates, by State CA WA OR NV ID UT MT WY CO ND SD NE KS MN WI IA IL MO IN MI KY OH WV PA VA NY NH VT ME MA RI CT NJ MD DE DC HI AZ NM TX OK AR LA MS TN AL GA SC FL NC -10% or less -5% to -9.99% -4.99% to 5% 5.01% to 10% 10.01% to 20% Greater than 20%
The Benefits of Regional Exchange States share higher ed resources; reduce unnecessary duplication of programs; and grow an educated, regional workforce. Student tuition savings at all levels: undergraduate, graduate, and professional. Institutions: Increase enrollments if available capacity; postpone creating new programs when unnecessary; or, partner to create new cutting-edge programs relevant to today s economy.
Share, Play Nice, and Everybody Wins!
WICHE s Student Access Programs Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) WICHE s Internet Course Exchange (ICE)
Western Undergraduate Exchange 150 public institutions 29,077 students @ 150% resident tuition $223.8 M in tuition savings in AY 2011 No money exchanged between states Multilateral exchange; no balance required Helps to balance enrollment demand by utilizing available capacity Fill excess enrollment Diversify student body Build local workforce
WUE Enrollment Fall 2011 = 29,077 Alaska Arizona California Colorado Hawaii Idaho Montana Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Oregon South Dakota Utah Washington Wyoming 562 1,496 5,208 987 2,912 2,312 2,253 1,596 2,380 1,235 2,097 1,273 2,795 1,256 942 630 1,876 394 2,147 1,490 1,435 546 661 885 1,124 3,848 1,698 1,226 1,173 9,717 In Bound Students Out Bound Students
WUE Enrollment & Savings Students saved $223.8 million!
2012-13: WUE Savings Scenarios California State U East Bay Colorado State U Ft. Collins Montana State U Billings University of New Mexico University of Utah Resident Tuition WUE Tuition Nonresident Tuition $7,047 $8,734 $5,710 $6,049 $7,138 $10,570 $13,102 $8,565 $9,073 $10,707 $15,975 $22,666 $16,725 $20,688 $22,642 Savings $5,405 $9,564 $8,160 $11,615 $11,935
Sometimes WUE is Cheaper Than In-State! Institution University of California Los Angeles (CA Resident Rate) Colorado State U Fort Collins (WUE Rate) Montana State University (WUE Rate) University of New Mexico (WUE Rate) University of Utah (WUE Rate) Tuition $12,686 $13,102 $8,565 $9,073 $10,707 Estimated Expenses $19,216 $14,056 $12,480 $14,262 $16,542 TOTAL WUE $31,902 $27,158 $21,045 $23,335 $27,249
WUE Requirements California State University, East Bay Freshmen: Combination of test scores and grade point average in college preparatory courses Transfer: Complete 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) with a 2.40 grade point average including Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Math/ Quantitative Reasoning with a grade of C or better Open to all majors Available to Fall, Winter, and Spring applicants
Learning More about WUE Options WUE institutions profiles are listed at www.wiche.edu/wue and include: Majors available at the WUE rate (can be restricted) WUE application deadlines WUE academic qualifications (GPA, ACT/SAT, etc.) Campus WUE contact (admissions, financial aid or scholarship office) Only public institutions participate No community colleges in CA and HI participate
How Students Apply for WUE Read Ask WICHE WUE FAQ. Student must be from a WICHE state. Apply DIRECTLY to institution. There is no general WUE application. Ask for WUE when you apply for admission. Apply EARLY; watch deadlines. Beware of caps. Some--but not all--accept transfer students. Get notification of your WUE award in writing. Keep a copy for when the tuition bill is due!
WUE 201: The Finer Points WUE is for 4 years; rarely extended. The most qualified applicants get WUE. Student must remain in good academic standing. Students can t use time paying the WUE rate towards building in-state residency. Technically, WUE is offered to a student for their first undergraduate degree. If student needs a LOA, confirm that institution will hold their WUE rate (they may not).
WUE 301: For WUE Experts Only A few institutions automatically offer WUE to residents from WICHE states, but at most institutions, you must request WUE. Some institutions participate on a very limited basis: U Arizona Tucson Commonly requested, but don t participate: Arizona State U (main campus), U Colorado Boulder, Oregon State U, U of Oregon (opting out, AY2013) Policy logic behind tuition reciprocity agreements WICHE Report: Student Migration: Relief Valve for State Enrollment and Demographic Pressures (2005)
WUE Survey: Trends in WUE Enrollment 112 out of 150 institutions responded WUE enrollment planned for AY2012: 72% static 24% would like to increase 4% plan to decrease Most popular states for WUE recruitment: CA, CO, OR, WA Available majors 72% make all majors available at WUE rate 24% make most of their majors available at WUE rate 4% make some majors available at the WUE rate
WUE Survey Results: Trends in WUE Enrollment 21% are using WUE as a merit scholarship Case of CSU Fort Collins (516 WUE students) 89% offer the WUE rate to transfer students 1% require WUE recipients to demonstrate financial need 56% automatically consider applicants from a WICHE state for the WUE rate 46% of institutions with online programs will offer the WUE rate for distance education students 11% offer no online programs (at all)
WUE Survey: Why Institutions LOVE WUE Increased visibility in the region Student diversity Maximize student housing Matriculate high-achieving students; good retention Attracts students who otherwise could not afford out-of-state study Affordability for students who can t get their field of study or best program fit at their home state institutions
Commonly Asked Residency Qs How do I prove I m from a WICHE state? Demonstrate it to the enrolling institution s satisfaction What about military families? http://www.ncsl.org/ (search for Tuition Assistance for Military Dependents Statutes ) What about undocumented students? AASCU Report: State Policies Regarding Undocumented College Students (March 2011) WICHE Policy Insights Report: Undocumented Students in the West (January 2012) CA, NM, NV, UT, WA
Resources for Counselors WUE PDF handout (to copy) Look for the new WUE table tent at college fairs! WUE postcards and posters www.wiche.edu/wue www.wiche.edu/askwiche College Enrollment Demand: WICHE s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race/Ethnicity, 1992 to 2022 (to be released December 2012) WICHE s annual Tuition and Fees in Public Higher Education in the West (November 2011)
Counselors.. Our Super Heros! How can we help you get the word out about WUE? > Social media > Tagging WUE institutions on college mentoring portals > YouTube > WUE College Fairs > Suggestions???
Promoting Cooperation Through Regional Student Exchange Visit our testimonial submission portal Collecting student, counselor, HEI administrator and legislator testimonials We would love to have some testimonials from high school administrators and counselors, just like YOU! http://www.wiche.edu/studenttestimonials http://www.wiche.edu/admintestimonials
QUESTIONS?
But wait! There s MORE!!! WRGP: Western Regional Graduate Program PSEP: Professional Student Exchange Program
Western Regional Graduate Program 275+ master s, PhDs and grad certificates programs at 51 institutions 859 grad students paid resident tuition Savings estimated at $11.5 M (~$13K/student) Students apply directly to enrolling department No money exchanged across states Fill excess capacity Keep distinctive programs robust & viable Avoid duplication of unique programs Diversify enrollment
WRGP: A Growing Resource for Affordable Healthcare Education 80+ options!
Some WRGP Healthcare Programs Audiology/ Speech Language Pathology (10) Nursing (DNP, PhD) (25) Mental Health & Psychology (14) Biomedical Informatics Health Policy Administration Public Health (8) Health Information Technology Dental Hygiene Master s Occupational Therapy (DOT)
Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) Expands access in 10 healthcare fields since 1953 State investment of $14.2 million (12 sending states) 692 students in AY 2011 Top three fields: Veterinary Medicine (202) Dentistry (113) Optometry (119)
C O L O R A D O I got great grades in high school, and I participated in a program that allowed me to receive my associate's degree with my high school diploma. I was the first one to achieve that at my high school, so I figured getting a scholarship somewhere would be no problem. But the only scholarship I got was based on academics; it was small and only applied to one semester. WUE, on the other hand, cut my tuition in half! Without it I would have had to move back home and go to a school that did not have my preferred major. I am very thankful for WUE! - Jessica, Colorado resident, Class of 2012, University of Utah, Philosophy & Psychology
H A W A I I "The WUE program was the best thing that s happened to me! It opened doors to opportunities to go away for college outside of my home state of Hawaii. I never thought I d be able to study out-of-state, due to my financial situation. WUE gave me opportunity to grow as a teen into a competent and independent adult with a college degree. WUE is a life-changer for anyone who wants to go away for college and grow as a person." - Cal, Hawaii resident Class of 2014, California State University East Bay, Biology/Environmental Sciences
N E W M E X I C O "As a young Hispanic from a very low-income family, it would not have been possible for me to attend CSU without reduced tuition through WUE. CSU and Colorado are a very good fit for me in many ways: academically, socially, and the surrounding environment. If it weren t for WUE, I would have had to stay in my home state for college. Although there are good opportunities there too, I also believe that anyone who s willing to work hard and takes college seriously deserves the opportunity to leave home and find a school that is the best fit for their academic goals and personal growth. - Jasmine, New Mexico resident Class of 2014, Colorado State University, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
N E V A D A "I had my heart set on studying something to do with the environment, but neither of my home state of Nevada s two universities offered programs that fit my interests. WUE allows me to pursue my education out of state. I m enrolled in one of the top undergrad environmental journalism programs in the country!" - Becky, Nevada resident, Western Washington University, Environmental Journalism
C A L I F O R N I A The WUE program has been a wonderful boon to Cal State East Bay. It has allowed us to attract a very talented and diverse group of students from other western states to our campus in California. This not only offers opportunities at a very affordable rate to those students who are joining us, but it also enriches the experience of our California residents studying here, by exposing them to perspectives and experiences different from their own. - Greg Smith, PhD Associate Vice President, Planning, Enrollment Management, and Student Affairs, California State University, East Bay
Margo COLALANCIA Director, Student Exchange mcolalancia@wiche.edu www.wiche.edu/askwiche General inquiries: TEL: 303.541.0270 info sep@wiche.edu Greg SMITH Associate Vice President, Planning, Enrollment Management, & Student Affairs California State U, East Bay greg.smith@csueastbay.edu http://www.wiche.edu/wue