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

  • "WUE has been such an amazing gift and has made enrolling in the exercise science program at Northern Arizona University affordable. Many of my classmates have received the WUE award as well. I love going to college out of state and don't have to pay outrageous tuition bills. I wouldn't be able to attend school out of state without WUE, and am so thankful for it!"

    Cassandra, Alaska resident, Class of 2016, Northern Arizona University, Exercise Science
  • "I am from Anchorage, Alaska. I wanted to to experience living and studying out of state, but couldn't afford nonresident tuition. The WUE discount made it all possible. I learned and grew so much as a person from living in a new environment and attending Northern Arizona University. I am so grateful for WICHE’s Western Undergraduate Exchange!"

    Alyssa, Alaska resident, Class of 2011, Northern Arizona University
  • "The WUE program has impacted my life after high school graduation in many ways. I was able to attend a college outside of my home state for the same price as in-state tuition. This allowed me to choose a school that had my major of choice: hotel and restaurant management. Northern Arizona University has an excellent program my field. Living in another state has also given me the chance to experience new cultures and see new places. WUE has opened up many new opportunities. "

    Renae, Alaska resident, Class of 2013, Northern Arizona University, Hotel and Restaurant Management
  • "Alaska does not have a nursing PhD program, but thanks to WICHE's WRGP program, I have been able to attend Oregon Health & Science University. I have completed my coursework and now am finishing my dissertation. Without the support of this program, tuition costs would have been prohibitive. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the opportunity WRGP has afforded me to contribute as a nurse scientist and do research in the care of older adults. I look forward to serving my community and my profession as a gerontological nurse educator. "

    Kathryn, Alaska resident, Class of 2014, Oregon Health & Science University, Nursing
  • "The cost of dental school is prohibitive for those of us without the benefit of in-state tuition. The PSEP program has helped me to reach my goals by easing the financial burden of attending school, and by giving me a leg up on the highly competitive application process. Thanks to PSEP, I will be able to return to the home I love in Alaska with a world class education and the chance to serve my community. "

    Ray, Alaska resident, Class of 2015, Oregon Health and Science University, Dentistry
  • "Being from Alaska, I've been around boat and the water my whole life. I looked into Cal Maritime for maritime studies, and didn't think my family could afford it until we found out about the WUE scholarship. It was the deciding factor in making my education at Cal Maritime possible. Thanks to WUE, I'll get to fulfill my dream of working on the water anywhere in the world."

    Sanford, Alaska resident, Class of 2016, California Maritime Academy, Maritime Studies
  • "Due to the tuition reduction provided by WUE, I was able to attend school at CSU in Fort Collins, CO. I am very interested in the environmental impact that humans have on our environment and in improving ways of quantifying this impact. By attending school at CSU, I was able to meet many high-profile researchers and scientists working in this field. I worked in a research lab for four years and then was given an opportunity to work on remote-sensing technologies being developed for the next generation of NASA satellites while being paid to obtain my master's degree. This technology is exactly what I wanted to work on, as it provides a means of accurately measuring the levels of the ocean and large inland bodies of water globally."

    Thaddeus, Alaska resident, Class of 2012, Colorado State University, Electrical Engineering
  • "I appreciate this program for the flexibility it has offered me and my family. I needed to get an official endorsement for being a teacher of the visually impaired, which is not offered in the State of Alaska. I have a family and a job, so leaving the state was really not an option. Portland State University is one of only three online programs that would allow me to get my endorsement and not leave Alaska. WRGP solidified my decision to study with PSU: it made my pursuit affordable, and I did not need to pay for housing or leave my family. I could also continue to serve the visually impaired community in my state through my job. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. "

    Phillis, Alaska resident, Class of 2013, Portland State University, Teacher of the Visually Impaired
  • "I lived in Alaska for about eight years, but Idaho was my original home state. I had considered staying in Alaska because the out-of-state tuition is so expensive. But applying for college through WUE allowed me to come back to Idaho. It also allowed me to attend the school I wanted and go into the medical field. WUE helped me save a lot of money this first year and will continue to help me for the coming years."

    Katrinia, Alaska resident, Class of 2015, Lewis-Clark State College, Medical Diagnostic Imaging
  • "WUE made my undergraduate studies in civil engineering at CSU possible!"

    Jeffrey, Alaska resident, Class of 2012, Colorado State University, Civil Engineering
  • "WUE helped me get into a great college with out the expense of out-of-state tuition. If I had to pay the nonresident rate, I wouldn't have been able to afford college. "

    Jourde, Alaska resident, Class of 2013, Colorado State University, Civil Engineering
  • "WUE tuition made out-of-state study possible; leaving my home town was something I felt I needed to do in order to “find myself”. I am so thankful to WICHE’s WUE program for allowing me to go to school here in Colorado. I wouldn't have been able to afford it any other way."

    Dakota, Alaska resident, Class of 2013, Colorado State University, English Education
  • "I always wanted to go to school in Washington, but when I looked into tuition costs, I was troubled and afraid I wouldn’t be able to afford it. Without a reduced tuition WUE award, I would have had to stay in Alaska and major in a subject that I was not passionate about. Fortunately, I was awarded WUE tuition at Central Washington University and it’s the perfect school for me. WICHE’s WUE program has helped make my dreams of becoming an art teacher a reality!"

    Alicia, Alaska resident, Class of 2014, Central Washington University, Art Education
  • "I was born and raised in Alaska. After graduation from high school, I wanted to travel and study outside of my home state, but I was discouraged by the high out-of-state tuition rates. After hearing about WUE, I began to look at western universities outside of Alaska. I am now enrolled at Central Washington University and thoroughly enjoying my educational experience and involvement with the Central Equestrian Team. This would not have been possible without WUE. I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunity I was given, and for CWU's participation in WUE!"

    Mary, Alaska resident, Class of 2014, Biology, Central Washington University