Non-Resident Tuition Waivers/WUE

Non-Resident Tuition Waivers (NRTW) and Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

For new incoming students to ISU, the deadlines and further information for the NRTWs and WUE are included in the links below. Students receiving an NRTW will still be required to pay tuition and fees at the Idaho resident rate.

Current undergraduate and graduate students that have not previously been awarded an NRTW or WUE may contact the Scholarship Office and request consideration. Awards will be based on students grades, major, availability and on a first-come first-served basis.

For undergraduate students needing an extension on their NRTW, please visit: Waiver Extension Request Form

For the Renewal information for NRTWs, please refer to your original award offer and acceptance form.

Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (Undergraduate - Domestic students)

Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (Undergraduate - International students)

Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (Undergraduate - Domestic students)

Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Program (Undergraduate - Domestic and International students)

Non-Resident Tuition Waivers (Graduate - Domestic and International students)

Western Regional Graduate Program (Graduate - Domestic Students)

Residency Questions: ISU Registrar's Office

Out of State Scholar Non-Resident Tuition Waivers

Out of State Scholar NRTWs are used to recruit top non-resident students to ISU. These awards waive the non-resident tuition amount.

The number of awards available is based on available annual funding. Out of State Scholar NRTWs are highly competitive and awarded first-come first-served; consequently, the average GPA awarded is typically a 3.5 or higher. ACT and SAT scores may also be considered.

Students cannot be enrolled in over-subscribed programs and receive an NRTW.

Completed application materials (Application for Admission, high school and/or all college transcripts) must be submitted by the scholarship deadline for priority consideration:

The scholarship deadline for Fall semester entry (Freshman and Transfer students) is July 1st.
The scholarship deadline for Spring semester entry (Freshman and Transfer students) is November 1st.

Minimum Criteria for Awarding:

Must be full-time (at least 12 undergraduate credits each semester).
Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate student (Post-Baccalaureate students are not eligible).
Must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 to be reviewed/considered for an initial award.
Awards are renewable for up to eight semesters based on meeting the minimum renewal criteria.
Preference given to academically superior students in under-subscribed majors and on a first-come first-served basis.

Renewal Information for NRTW Recipients

Important renewal criteria to maintain an Out-of-State Scholar NRTW must be met. Please refer to your original acceptance form or contact the Scholarship Office.

Non-Resident Tuition Waivers for International Students

The primary scholarship opportunity for incoming international students at ISU are Non-Resident Tuition Waivers (NRTWs).

A limited number of NRTWs are awarded on a competitive first-come first-served basis and typically a GPA of 3.5 or greater is required for awarding. Students in over-subscribed programs and Post-Baccalaureate students are not eligible for any non-resident tuition waivers.

Time accrued while participating in any of the NRTW programs WILL NOT count toward the length of time required to gain Idaho residency status.

Competition for NRTWs at the undergraduate and graduate level is very strong and many more people apply than are awarded. You should be prepared to have sufficient funds to cover the approximate US $14,000 expense per semester should the University be unable to award one to you.

More information regarding international student admissions and related issues is available from the International Programs Office.

New and Transfer International Students

If you are an incoming international undergraduate student (new freshman or transfer), you will be considered for possible awarding of an NRTW. Priority is given to international students who have a completed application for admission, official TOEFL or IELTS score, and official transcript(s) submitted to the International Program Office (IPO) by:

July 1st (fall entry)
November 1st (spring entry).

Your Application for Admission serves as your NRTW application. Please visit the ISU international application page for more information.

Continuing International Students

If you are a continuing undergraduate international student, have a 3.5 ISU cumulative GPA, have NOT received an NRTW in past semesters, and are in need of a NRTW, you may complete a Currently Attending ISU NRTW Application for NRTW consideration. Students in over-subscribed programs and Post-Baccalaureate's are not eligible for NRTW. Awards are competitive.

Renewal Information for International NRTW Recipients

Important renewal criteria to maintain an NRTW must be met. Please refer to your original acceptance form or contact the Scholarship Office.

Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Program

The ISU Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Scholarship is awarded to non-resident, undergraduate students who are not majoring in over-subscribed programs (those with limited capacity).

Minimum requirements:

Must be a full-time student and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Must be a child (biological, adopted or legal guardianship), stepchild, or grandchild of an ISU graduate (defined as a person having a degree or certificate from ISU).

Students who are currently already receiving OR have received in the past a full 4-year Non-Resident Tuition Waiver at ISU are not eligible.

Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Waivers waive the amount of Non-Resident Tuition for non-Idaho resident students. ISU Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Waivers are awarded for 4 years (8 semesters) to eligible undergraduate students who continue to meet renewal criteria. Post-Baccalaureate students are not eligible.

Students must apply in the Bengal Online Scholarship System (BOSS) by the stated deadline.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

What is WUE?

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education that allows students residing in participant states to attend programs at Idaho State University at a reduced cost.

Time accrued while participating in the WUE Program will not count towards the length of time required to gain Idaho Residency.

Who can participate?

Undergraduate academic or applied technology students from the states/territories of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Republic of Palau or the Republic of the Marshall Islands are eligible to participate in WUE. Post-Baccalaureate students are WUE eligible.

Are all programs of study WUE-eligible?

All fields of study at Idaho State University are WUE eligible, however, some high demand or oversubscribed programs may limit the number of non-resident students who can be admitted to their programs. Preference is given to those seeking their first bachelor’s degree.

How do students apply for WUE?

Incoming freshmen and transfer students must submit all admissions materials (admission application, application fee (if applicable), and official high school or college transcripts) to the university in order to be considered. New Incoming Freshman/Transfer Deadline: July 1st (fall entry); Nov 1st (spring entry).

The Application for Admission serves as the WUE application.

Preference is given to students with at least a 2.50 GPA as well as to those who meet our scholarship application deadline. Students who do not meet this criteria will be considered on an individual basis. Current students who do not already have some type of waiver and are from a WUE state/region may also ask to be considered for the WUE. Please contact the ISU Scholarship Office (scholar@isu.edu)

As a WUE student, what are my tuition expenses at ISU?

WUE students pay 1.5 times the Idaho resident tuition instead of full non-resident tuition plus resident tuition, for a tremendous cost savings. Estimated savings per semester is over ~$7,500 per semester (amounts are dependent upon tuition each year).

How are students notified about WUE awards?

Students are notified of their WUE Rate in writing by the ISU Scholarship Office. Students have until the date stated in their WUE Rate Offer Letter and on their reply form to accept or decline the WUE Rate.

Renewal Information for WUE

Important renewal criteria to maintain a WUE award must be met. After receiving an invitation to participate in the WUE program at ISU, a student must do the following to remain eligible:

Be enrolled full time as a degree seeking undergraduate student (12 credits or more) each semester.
Maintain good academic standing.
Not accept any other ISU scholarship in the form of a tuition waiver or reduction of non-resident charges.

Students who accept the WUE are not eligible to establish Idaho Residency for tuition purposes

How the WUE Rate is Applied to Your Account

Once the bill from ISU is generated you will see a WUE rate that you are being charged instead of the full non-resident charge. You can see these charges in your MyISU, under the Student Finances tab. Your WUE will show in your financial aid award tab, but will NOT have a dollar amount associated with it, as this is a placeholder to apply the WUE Rate.

The WUE Rate will drop off and you will be charged the regular non-resident charges if you are NOT registered for full-time (undergraduate) credits upon the 10th day of classes each semester.