Student Exchange and Reciprocity Programs

Under the North Dakota-Minnesota Tuition Reciprocity Program, if space is available and the program of study is approved under the reciprocity agreement, a Minnesota resident may attend a North Dakota public institution and pay the established reciprocity fee. Similarly, a North Dakota resident may attend a Minnesota public institution and pay the established reciprocity fee.

An application is required and application deadlines apply to receive the benefit of reciprocity.  Students may apply to the North Dakota-Minnesota Tuition Reciprocity Program using the link below.  If you are not able to complete the application online or if you have questions about North Dakota-Minnesota application or process, please contact the North Dakota University System Reciprocity Processor or call 701-328-2964.

ND-MN Tuition Reciprocity application — The 2023-24 reciprocity application is available!  This application is for fall 2023, spring 2024 and summer 2024.  The 2024-25 reciprocity application (fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer 2025) will be available in May.

The ND-MN reciprocity application is above.  If you are asked to provide additional supporting documentation, the NDUS Application for Resident Student Status will be required.  Do not complete the Application for Resident Student Status if you are seeking reciprocity with a Minnesota school. When asked, download the form and return it to NDUS either by mail or through the NDUS secure drop box (preferred).

Students from participating Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) states pay no more than 150 percent of in-state resident tuition to attend participating colleges and universities in select Midwestern states.  This student exchange program is referred to as the Midwestern Student Exchange Program (MSEP).  Contact the college you are attending to find out more about this student exchange program.

WICHE is the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.  WICHE’s student exchange programs provide access for students by lowering tuition costs for out-of-state students at participating colleges and universities in select western states and territories.  Student exchange programs include undergraduate, graduate and a select few professional programs of study.

• WICHE’S Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) – Undergraduate students from WICHE states can request a reduced tuition rate of 150 percent of the resident tuition at participating campuses.

• WICHE’S Western Regional Graduate Exchange (WRGP) – Graduate students from WICHE states may be eligible to enroll in available programs at participating institutions at resident tuition rates.

North Dakota participates in the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) in the professional programs of study in dentistry, optometry and veterinary medicine.  The locations covered under North Dakota’s PSEP program include WICHE-designated schools, the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University and Kansas State University.  Limited scholarship dollars are available to award under this program and therefore, priority application dates have been established.

The priority application date for enrollment beginning in fall 2024 is October 15, 2023.

PSEP provides the opportunity for ND resident students to attend out-of-state programs in three professional programs, which are not available in North Dakota. Programs supported by the ND PSEP include:

• WICHE – Optometry, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine
• University of Minnesota – Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine
• Kansas State – Veterinary Medicine
• Iowa State – Veterinary Medicine

When to apply:

DO NOT WAIT TO APPLY! Completed applications received in the North Dakota University System (NDUS) on or prior to October 15th of year preceding enrollment in the professional program will be given priority consideration. Applications received after October 15th will be given alternate consideration. Priority for funding is given to continuing students and then to new freshmen applicants. Students who are already enrolled in a program of study, but not previously funded, may apply; however, they will be considered an alternate candidate for funding after continuing students and new freshmen, and only if funding remains.

Applications will be reviewed and certified as either eligible-certified, alternate-certified, or non-eligible.  Alternate-certified applicants receive secondary funding consideration following certified applicants. Certification does not guarantee admission to any professional school nor does it guarantee funding from the State of North Dakota under this program.

How to Apply:  

Download and submit to the NDUS the completed Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) Application .

This application is to be used to apply for programs through WICHE, the University Minnesota, Kansas State and Iowa State.  Complete and submit all documents to the NDUS for consideration.  Remember, the priority deadline date is October 15th of the year preceding when the professional program of study begins.

Completed applications include:

1. Application for Certification
2. List of eligible colleges that the applicant is applying to
3. Application for Resident Student Status and supporting documentation
4. Consent & Waiver Form
5. Acknowledgement Form (veterinary medicine applicants only)

The Process:

1. ND resident students must complete and submit to the NDUS, the entire PSEP application to apply for PSEP funding.
2. Completed PSEP applications are reviewed by the NDUS to determine if the applicant qualifies for certification.
   • If the ND resident applicant qualifies, the applicant will be “certified” or “alternate-certified” for consideration of PSEP support.
   • Certification is not a guarantee that that applicant will receive an award as funding is limited.
   • The NDUS determines annually the number of new applicants funded under each program based on available funding.
   • All applicants will be notified by of their application status on/around October 15 of the application year.
3. Applicants apply and interview directly with the institutions they are seeking enrollment at.
4. Once known, applicants should notify the NDUS of the institution where they have accepted enrollment at.
   • Admission to an institution does not guarantee funding under PSEP.
5. NDUS will begin to notify applicants whether or not they were selected for PSEP funding in the spring preceding enrollment in the professional program.
   • Depending on program decision deadlines established by institutions, students may have to commit to a program before they know if they will receive PSEP support.
   • Applicants who are selected for funding under PSEP will be mailed a Statement of Intention & Commitment, which must be completed and returned to the NDUS to secure their award.  The Statement of Intention & Commitment details the PSEP program requirements and identifies the professional program and institution where the applicant qualifies for PSEP funding at.
6. Once accepted into the PSEP program as a funded recipient, annual applications are not required, however, recipients are expected to keep their contact information updated with the NDUS.
   • Recipients must notify the NDUS of any address, phone or email changes while participating in the PSEP program.
7. Graduating recipients must notify the NDUS of post-graduation employment and licensing information for program tracking purposes.

Award amount:

Recipients are responsible for all tuition and fees not covered by the PSEP support payment.  Awards may be renewable for up to 4 years, provided the ND Legislative Assembly maintains funding for the program.

• The PSEP support payment at WICHE institutions is equal to the support fee set for each program by the WICHE Commission. You can find the support fee rates on the WICHE website.
• The PSEP support payment at the University of Minnesota is based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between ND and MN.  For dentistry, the amount is equal to 25% of the non-resident rate.  For veterinary medicine, the amount is equal to the difference between the MN resident rate and the North Dakota non-resident rate.
• The PSEP support payments for Iowa State and Kansas State are approximately the difference between the resident rate and the non-resident rate.

Academic Progress/Loss of Funding:

• Awards are based on the assumption that recipients are committed to remain in the professional program from the time of entrance until completion.
  • Continual enrollment in the program of study is required. Any interruption of study could jeopardize support received from PSEP.
• Students who do not meet the academic standards of the institution enrolled in will no longer receive support from the state.
  • Funding will not be provided for repeat course work.
  • Appeals may be directed to the ND University System financial aid director at ndfinaid@ndus.edu.
• Recipients who receive 100% tuition reimbursement from other sources, or who gain residency in another state, will not be eligible for the PSEP support payment.
• Funding for PSEP is contingent upon ND Legislative appropriation.

More information:

More information on the PSEP program, including helpful frequently asked questions, the ranking process and more, can be found on the WICHE website.

For questions specifically on the North Dakota PSEP program and the application process, contact the North Dakota University System (NDUS) at 701-328-2906 or at ndfinaid@ndus.edu.