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Make College More Affordable
WICHE Tuition Savings Programs Help Students Save Money at Colleges and Universities Across the West
WICHE administers three Tuition Savings Programs that help students make college more affordable and accessible for students in the West*. Last year, 50,700 students in the West saved a total of $613 million on tuition costs by leveraging these programs. Each program supports one of three educational pathways: undergraduate, graduate, and professional healthcare studies.
Each program’s details vary, but they share a common mission of lowering the cost of tuition. Students gain from expanded educational choices and bigger savings. Schools benefit from increased enrollment, and states* gain by strengthening their workforce. It’s a true “triple-win.”
*WUE-eligible locations include 15 U.S. states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) and three U.S. territories (the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa). For more information, visit www.wiche.edu/our-region.
Benefits of More Affordable College
Making college more affordable increases access to higher education, reduces the burden of student debt, and promotes greater diversity on campus. When students participate in WICHE’s Tuition Savings programs, they ease financial barriers to pursuing higher education. They can focus on academic performance, leading to better educational outcomes and higher graduation rates.
Affordable tuition also has long-term benefits for graduates. Students with less educational debt have more freedom to choose careers based on passion, which can result in more fulfilling work and meaningful contributions to their communities. Through programs like WUE, WRGP, and PSEP, students have the opportunity to study at a high-quality educational institution, keep their college debt manageable, and succeed in their chosen careers.
Hear from Real Students Making College More Affordable
FAQ’s
How do I apply for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) reduced tuition rate?
Apply directly to the participating WUE college or university before their WUE deadline. Applicants must be residents of one of WICHE’s 15 member states or participating Pacific territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands). Some schools have additional requirements like first-time college enrollment, minimum GPA, or on-campus residency. Some schools offer a limited number of WUE awards.
Contact the school’s admissions, financial aid, or scholarship office, as indicated on the school’s WUE Savings Finder profile, for specific details. While some institutions automatically consider applicants from WICHE states for the WUE rate, many require students to request the rate when applying for admission. Verify if your prospective college requires a separate WUE application.
How do I know which majors and programs are available at Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) rate?
Check each participating university’s WRGP Savings Finder profile page (https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wrgp/wrgp-savings-finder/) to view the eligible graduate programs. Each university’s graduate school determines which specific programs will be offered at the discounted tuition rate.
Which professional degrees are available through WICHE’s Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP)?
Currently there are 10 degrees available: allopathic medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. WICHE member states/territories fund their residents in select fields. Check here to see if your state/territory participates, and which fields it funds.
WUE:
If you still have questions, review our complete list of FAQs and contact the school’s office that administers WUE (admissions, financial aid, or the scholarship office), as indicated on the school’s WUE Savings Finder profile.
WRGP:
If you still have questions, review our complete list of FAQs and contact the graduate school office that administers WRGP, as indicated on the university’s WRGP Savings Finder profile.
PSEP:
If you still have questions, review our complete list of PSEP FAQs.
