WHERE CAN YOU GO ON NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE (NSE)? National Student Exchange allows students the opportunity to study, as an undergraduate, for up to one year at 200 colleges and universities throughout the US and Canada.  To see the full listing schools that participate in National Student Exchange Schools visit the NSE website. HOW DOES NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE (NSE) WORK? Students are placed at another NSE institution on either Plan A or Plan B. Plan A students pay tuition and fees to the host campus at the in state rate. Plan B students pay their normal tuition and fees to their home university. Students on Plan B are charged a flat rate equivalent to 14 USM credits and corresponding academic fees. Schools vary as to whether they will take students on Plan A, Plan B or either. Students should talk with the NSE staff in the International Office to see which placement option works best for them. All other costs, such as room and board are paid locally. WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES TO APPLY FOR NSE NSE? The National Student Exchange "Priority Placement" deadline is February 15th, 2008. WHAT DOES PRIORITY PLACEMENT MEAN? Some schools can only take a limited number of students so they fill up fast for the 2008-09 academic year. In order to have the best possible chance to get into your first choice school you should submit your full application by the Priority Placement deadline. DO I HAVE TO LIVE ON CAMPUS? Every school is different. Some schools require students to live on campus, some school have no student housing so students must live off campus. This will be part of your research as you select your short list of NSE schools. WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO SELECT MORE THAN JUST ONE SCHOOL? By selecting more than one school students improve their chances for placement. We always try to place students at their first choice school, but if that is not possible it's best to have a back up location. If you only want to go to one school, then you should list only that school on your placement request. NOW THAT I'VE SELECTED A SCHOOL WHERE CAN I FIND COURSE INFORMATION? GE O F ADDRESS: Link directly to the NSE Undergraduate Catalog site to see what's being offered for courses at your top choice schools. HOW DO I APPLY? Application forms and instructions for National Student Exchange are available on line for your convenience. However, we recommend that you meet with a National Exchange Advisor before beginning the process. WHAT IF I'VE MISSED THE PRIORITY DEADLINE - CAN I STILL APPLY? USM will accept applications for NSE through September of 2008. However after the February deadline school availability can be quite limited. Office of International Programs and National Student Exchange      P. O. Box 9300  101 Payson Smith Hall  Portland, ME USA 04104-9300  E-Mail: International@usm.maine.edu Phone: (207) 780-4959    TTY (207) 780-5646  FAX (207) 780-4933