Here's what students and graduates are saying about WICHE's student exchange....

  • "I’ve always enjoyed working with elders and was very excited to learn about the University of Utah’s graduate gerontology program. I had started the program while living in California; my employer generously provided me with a scholarship to continue my education through their online program. However, I had to leave my job and move to Colorado with only two semesters left. I was very concerned about how I would be able to afford to finish my studies. I was very thankful to learn about WICHE's WRGP program. I couldn’t have continued my program without it! I’m looking forward to making a difference in the lives of elders!"

    Julie, Colorado resident, Class of 2012, University of Utah
  • "WRGP allowed me to find the perfect program match. I could never have paid for my master's in mental health counseling at Southern Oregon University without the in-state tuition that WRGP provides. What a blessing!"

    Craig, Colorado resident, Class of 2013, Southern Oregon University, Mental Health Counseling
  • "WUE has made my experience of living and learning in another state much more attainable due to the lower costs of tuition. I was able to go to my first-choice college, paying a mere fraction of what I would have had to pay without it."

    Rowan, Colorado resident, Class of 2013, Montana Tech, Environmental Engineering
  • "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
  • "WUE made dream come true: a future career in geological engineering! WUE has been a huge help financially."

    Melissa, Colorado resident, Class of 2015, Montana Tech
  • "WICHE has allowed me to follow my dream career of becoming an optometrist. My parents tried to talk me out of optometry school due to the extreme expense; and without WICHE I probably would have let them. But the years I've spent in school have proven this is the career for me. I've loved every second of helping my patients with the gift of sight. Without WICHE I would not be where I am today. Many students in my program do not get extra help from their states; I see them struggling with their finances and taking out expensive private loans. When I talk to these students I can't help but feeling grateful for the opportunity I was given by the state of Colorado and this program."

    Jacki, Colorado resident, Class of 2013, Pacific University College of Optometry
  • "WICHE has been a major aid in helping me to obtain my dream career. I am very grateful for the help, since there was not an institution in my home state that could help me on my path. Thank you, WICHE, for providing the means to changing my future."

    Josh, Colorado resident, Class of 2013, Pacific University College of Optometry, Optometry
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    "I am finishing my optometry degree at Pacific University in Oregon and received funding from PSEP. My home state of Colorado does not have an optometry school, and the PSEP funding made it possible for me to get my degree at a great school while keeping my student loans under control. Without this program my student loan debt would be overwhelming, which would significantly limit the job opportunities I could consider. Getting involved with private practice optometry (as opposed to corporate options) is an option for me largely because my monthly loan payments will be manageable. I hope to repay the favor to Colorado with a long career as a private practice doctor. By my owning a business, creating jobs, and paying taxes, Colorado will benefit for the next 30-plus years. All of this is possible because of the up-front support I received. I encourage our legislators to continue funding this program."

    Michael, Colorado resident, Class of 2011, Pacific University, Optometry
  • "I wanted to work in the eyecare field, but was having a difficult time committing to enrolling in optometry school due to the high tuition. WICHE made my dream possible. Thank you, Colorado, for the support you gave me throughout my education."

    Ollie, Colorado resident, Class of 2011, Pacific University College of Optometry, Optometry
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    "I live in a critical access area in Southern Colorado with a great need for primary care providers. Thanks to WRGP, I’m able to study at a top-notch program that will prepare me to ease this burden in my home state. When I first applied, there were very few DNP programs in the country, and when I couldn’t get into my home state program, I wasn't sure how I’d afford out-of-state tuition, making pursuit of my dream much more difficult. I am very thankful for WRGP and the opportunity to learn at the University of Arizona."

    Christina, Colorado resident, Class of 2014, University of Arizona - Tucson, Doctorate of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Pracitioner
  • "Without the reduced tuition I get through WUE, I'd probably end up with lower grades because of the extra work hours I'd need to do in order to pay for tuition. Thanks to WUE, my education is affordable and I can focus on my studies! "

    Charles, Colorado resident, Class of 2013, California Maritime Academy, Marine Transportation
  • "WICHE’s Western Regional Graduate Program has allowed me to experience a new state and study in a graduate program that will allow me to advance professionally. WSU’s Food Science curriculum is the perfect mix for what I wanted to study. Thank you! "

    Lauren, Colorado resident, Class of 2015, Washington State University, Food Science
  • "WUE made attending Central Washington University affordable and I wouldn't have been able to go there without it. I’m now enrolled in their Psychology and Sociology program and look forward to helping others after I graduate."

    Travis, Colorado resident, Class of 2013, Central Washington University, Psychology and Sociology
  • "WRGP enabled me to participate in one of the only graduate level Rehabilitation Counseling programs in the country that really engages students with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) issues. For this I feel very fortunate; it has helped me grow as a deaf individual both inside and outside of the classroom. Students who are themselves deaf/HOH or have an interest in working with this population will greatly benefit from similar opportunities—such unique resources are scarce in some areas of the country."

    Jesse, Colorado resident, Class of 2011, Rehabilitation Counseling: Deafness, Western Oregon University