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

  • "WUE gave me the chance to study in the mainland. I lived in Hawaii all my life and thought I'd stay in Hawaii for college. When I learned about WUE, I realized that I could go to college in another state--I had many more options than I initially thought. The reduced WUE tuition was affordable, and many of my fellow students from all over the West were using WUE at NAU."

    Kristal, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2010, Northern Arizona University, Chemistry Education
  • "Going to a WUE school has allowed me to pursue studies in the medical sciences and study on the Mainland. Being able to travel and see what else the world has to offer is very heart warming for me. And, I'm paying almost the same price as I would have at an in-state college in Hawaii!"

    J. Smith, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2015, Northern Arizona University, Biomedical Sciences
  • "As a high school senior from Hawaii, my dream was to go to college on the Mainland. I didn't want to place a financial burden on my family, so I told myself I would only leave if I got enough scholarships and financial aid. I chose Northern Arizona University (NAU) because they made my dream to study out-of-state possible. Not only did I get scholarships and financial aid, but NAU also gave me the WUE discount to make my dream a reality. Thanks to WUE, I'm not paying hefty out-of-state tuition prices. Instead, tuition is very affordable for my family and me. Thank you for such a great program!"

    Crisselle, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2016, Northern Arizona University, Communications
  • "I have been a professional boat captain for seven years. I am paying for school myself, without help or assistance from outside sources. I never imagined being able to afford to go back to school until I heard of the WUE program. I wanted to attend California Maritime Academy for several years and thanks to WUE, it became reality. With the degree and license I will receive, I'll be able to secure the job of my dreams. I never could have done it without the immense help and support of WICHE. Thank you so much. "

    Brian, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2016, California Maritime Academy, Marine Transportation
  • "I'm not sure how I ever would have been able to pay for Cal Maritime's out-of-state tuition. With WUE, I was able to save a lot of money and attend this school at a reasonable price. Thanks to WUE, my education is more affordable."

    Brandon, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2016, California Maritime Academy, Mechanical Engineering
  • "With the help of the WICHE-PSEP program and the generosity of the State of Hawai'i, I am able to pursue my dream of becoming a physical therapist. WICHE made it possible for me to attend a nationally-ranked program without excessive financial burden. Thanks to PSEP, I've been able to devote my time to becoming the best healthcare professional I can be without worrying about money. It's been a blessing to discover what life is like miles away from home, but I look forward to returning to Hawai'i and serving the island community. I greatly appreciate Hawai'i's support and will continue to make the most of this opportunity. The WICHE program is invaluable, and I urge all those who are eligible to apply. It’s always encouraging to know that you have people who believe in you and want to see you succeed."

    Nicole, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2014, Regis University, Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • "WICHE's PSEP support is integral to enhancing my experience as I study to become a doctor of veterinary medicine. The idea that I will accrue less debt puts me more at ease and has allowed me to pursue unique experiences and focus more on my studies. I wouldn't be able to take advantage of these opportunities if I had to get an extra job to help offset the increasing tuition costs. Thank you for this wonderful program! "

    Rachael, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2015, Colorado State University, Veterinary Medicine
  • "WICHE gave me a second chance. I took on a lot of undergraduate debt, assuming it would be the end of my formal education. When I finally discovered that I would like to pursue a pharmacy career, it was two years and three majors later. However, the cost of pharmacy school seemed prohibitive everywhere I turned. Fortunately, WICHE made the financial burden of pharmacy school bearable. Without WICHE I would have been forced to find menial jobs after graduation in order to pay off my student loans. WICHE's PSEP has allowed me to work towards my greatest potential. For that, I am forever grateful."

    Sean, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2013, University of the Pacific, Doctor of Pharmacy
  • "Becoming a WICHE PSEP student is a blessing. There are no veterinary programs in the state of Hawai'i, and this program made it possible for me to attend veterinary school at Colorado State University at a reduced price. Without this financial assistance, attending CSU would not have been an option. After graduating, I look forward to serving the state of Hawai'i!"

    Malia, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2015, Colorado State University, Veterinary Medicine
  • "WICHE support afforded me the opportunity to attend physical therapy school. I come from Hawaii, a state without a DPT program. The wonderful WICHE program gave me the opportunity to receive a great education in Arizona, something that would have otherwise been a significant financial hardship for my entire family. I have since graduated with a doctorate degree, am currently practicing in the profession that I love, and am now in the position to give back to my community. Thank you, WICHE!"

    Kimberly, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2010, A.T. Still University, Physical Therapy
  • "I graduated from Southern California College of Optometry as a WICHE PSEP student. There is no optometry program in Hawai'i, so I had to leave the islands to go to school in the mainland. The WICHE program gave me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to venture outside of Hawai'i and attend a great school in an affordable manner. I had an amazing time on the mainland, and I truly believe that my experiences have made me a better doctor today. With rising tuition prices, every little bit of help counts. Thanks to WICHE, I managed to graduate from optometry school debt-free. I was once just a kid from a public school who had a dream of becoming a doctor, and WICHE helped make that dream came true. I am currently in private practice in my hometown, Kaimuki, and have the pleasure of providing much needed healthcare in Hawai'i. I am forever grateful to the WICHE program. I encourage legislators to continue supporting it to help other students reach their goals and to provide Hawai'i with the healthcare it needs for the future."

    Richard, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2011, Southern California College of Optometry, Optometry
  • "The WUE program helped me make my goals a reality. Thanks to the program, I was able to attend a university with the undergraduate degree I wanted. I really needed all the financial help I could get, and this program came through for me. It helped minimize the cost of going to college. I genuinely thank the WUE program for giving me the opportunity to broaden my horizons. "

    Bertha, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2012, Montana Tech, Healthcare Informatics
  • "PSEP was very instrumental in providing the necessary financial assistance for both myself and my family throughout pharmacy school. The money was used to pay for a portion of my tuition, as well as the necessary books and membership fees for a variety of professional student pharmacy organizations. Without PSEP I would not have had the financial peace of mind to focus on my studies in pharmacy school. I am very thankful for the State of Hawaii for selecting me to be a WICHE PSEP candidate."

    Richard, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2011, University of the Pacific, Pharmacy
  • "$40,000….. imagine how much you could do with that! Over four years, my WUE scholarship will have saved me about that much in tuition! WUE took a huge load off my already “full-of-debt” mind. It allows me to spend less time worrying and more time enjoying college and studying what I love. Thank you!"

    Claire, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2014, Colorado State University, Equine Science
  • "WUE has allowed me to continue attending Colorado State University despite the economic downturn. It I hadn't been for WUE, I probably would have had to transfer back to my home state for financial reasons. I cannot express how thankful I am for the WUE program. It has allowed me to continue my education in biological sciences."

    Andrea, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2013, Colorado State University, Biological Sciences
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    "I wanted to go back to school to get my master’s in occupational therapy, but there’s not a program in Hawaii. WICHE’s PSEP allowed me to attend my first-choice school without the debt and other financial hardships that I would have otherwise faced. I plan return to Hawaii to practice, so that I can give back to the community that supported me. Without WICHE, I wouldn't have had the experiences that I did, and the State of Hawaii would be one more occupational therapist shy of meeting current demands."

    Connie Gill, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2011, University of Puget Sound, Occupational Therapy
  • "I'm enrolled at California Maritime Academy as a Hawaii resident. Without WUE, I'd have to delay my college aspirations for one year to gain in-state residency. Out-of-state tuition rates are astronomical and I’m grateful to have received reduced tuition through WUE. Getting a college education is just too important to put on hold, and WUE made it affordable now!"

    Drew, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2012, California Maritime Academy, Maritime Transportation
  • "The WUE program was the best thing that has 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, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2014, California State University East Bay, Biology/Environmental Sciences
  • "I am currently enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Pacific University in Oregon. My home state does not have such a program. I wouldn’t be able to afford the schooling costs without the support of WICHE’s PSEP; it reduced my student loan debt significantly. In addition, I am able to focus on my studies rather than holding a job to support myself. I am looking forward to returning to Hawaii after graduation, so that I can give back to the community."

    Man Wa, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2013, Pacific University, Occupational Therapy
  • "The University of Utah’s College of Social Work has access to resources not available in my home state of Hawaii. Thanks to WICHE’s WRGP, I can attend the school of my choice and earn an advanced degree in my field with an emphasis that is not currently available in my home state."

    Paula, Hawai'i resident, Class of 2014, University of Utah, PhD in Social Work