National Student Exchange

UAF is a member of the National Student Exchange. Through this program, qualified students may apply for exchange enrollment at any one of almost 200 colleges and universities throughout the United States, its territories and Canada. NSE enables students to take advantage of specialized courses or unique programs at member institutions and explore new areas of the U.S.

Applicants must have completed a minimum of two full-time semesters at UAF as a degree student and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in order to participate in NSE. The priority application deadline for the upcoming academic year is March 1.

Students approved to participate in NSE pay a $500 study away fee to UAF each semester they are away. Tuition is paid either to the host institution at the in-state rate, or the student may pay tuition at UAF, depending on availability. The Alaska Performance Scholarship, UA Scholars and most other forms of financial aid may be used to cover costs.

For more information, visit the National Student Exchange website.

Note: Students attending any campus of the University of Alaska system under the National Student Exchange program are assumed to be receiving the benefit of reduced tuition because of their enrollment at an NSE partner university in another state. Therefore, time spent in NSE does not count toward the time required to establish residency in Alaska for tuition purposes. If students end their participation in NSE, they could begin establishing residency for tuition purposes as set forth in the UA Resident and Nonresident Tuition policy on the Tuition and Fees page.

Study Abroad And International Exchange Programs

Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity for every UAF student to learn about other cultures and gain international experience while earning academic credit. Programs are available in nearly 50 countries worldwide. UAF has direct exchange partnerships with 16 universities in 7 countries and also participates in the north2north exchange program organized by UArctic. Additional study abroad programs are available through affiliated program providers.

Students participating in approved programs receive UAF credit for classes and internships completed abroad. Applicants must have completed a minimum of two full-time semesters at UAF as a degree student and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Other requirements may also apply, and all applications are subject to approval by the Study Away Program office. Application deadlines are Oct. 1 for spring semester programs and March 1 for most summer, fall semester or academic year programs. Students interested in gaining international experience should begin planning early in their UAF careers.

All students approved to participate in international programs pay a $500 study away fee to UAF each semester they are away. Students participating in exchange programs pay for 15 credits of undergraduate or 9 credits of graduate UAF tuition and a 4% of tuition network fee. For non-exchange study abroad programs, all tuition, housing and student fees are paid directly to the program provider or host institution. The Alaska Performance Scholarship, UA Scholars and most other forms of financial aid may be used to cover costs; scholarships are also available for many programs.

Contact the Study Away Program for more information at 907-474-6396 or uaf-studyaway@alaska.edu, or visit the Study Away Program website.