What type of scholarship is WUE?

WUE is a non-disbursable scholarship. While it is listed on the financial aid offer letter, the benefit is granted as non-resident reduced tuition, thereby charging qualified students substantially less. These scholarships will not be disbursed in addition to the discounted tuition.

Where do I submit my WUE application materials?

You can apply online to the University and submit admission materials to the following address: 91ԭƬ Office of Admissions and Records Mailstop: 0120 Reno, NV 89557

What do I need to do to keep WUE after my first year?

No application is required. Students will continue to receive the benefits of the program they qualified for at the time of admission for up to four consecutive years while earning their first bachelor’s degree. Students are not required to maintain a minimum GPA or carry a minimum semester credit requirement to retain these programs. We recommend students enroll in a minimum of 15 credits to ensure they complete their degree within the four-year time limit.

Are fees required for WUE recipients?

Yes. Mandatory fees are required for all students, regardless of residency status.

Can I establish Nevada residency while receiving WUE?

Students may not go from WUE directly to Nevada residency for tuition purposes, therefore students cannot establish in-state residency while receiving the benefits of these programs. Students may decline WUE prior to the start of the semester, attend the University and pay full non-resident tuition for at least 12 months while establishing Nevada residency. Learn more about becoming a Nevada resident or email questions to mynevada@unr.edu .

Can I be reconsidered for WUE once I start taking classes here?

Students cannot be reconsidered for WUE once they begin taking classes at the University. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements by the deadline prior to taking classes are not eligible for reconsideration for these programs. Non-resident students paying out-of-state tuition may consider establishing Nevada residency as a financially independent student. Learn about becoming a Nevada resident and email mynevada@unr.edu for more information.

How to request WUE consideration if you don't qualify as a new freshman?

Reconsideration can be requested by submitting the following Freshman Reconsideration Request form and updated transcripts or scores. The deadline to qualify is the Friday before fees are due for the semester you are admitted. Semester fee due dates can be found on our Academic Calendar . Please note that, for the purpose of determining eligibility for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), only coursework completed during a student’s standard high school enrollment period (grades 9–12) will be considered. Coursework completed after high school graduation—including post-graduation high school courses, credit recovery, or grade improvement—will not be used in the evaluation process, ensuring consistency and fairness in eligibility determinations.

How to request WUE consideration if you don't qualify as a transfer student?

Reconsideration can be requested by submitting the Transfer Reconsideration Request form and updated transcripts. Deadline to qualify is the Friday before fees are due for the semester you are admitted. Semester fee due dates can be found on our academic calendar .

If WUE requirements change for the following academic year after I start at the University, can I be reconsidered?

Students may only be considered for WUE by the deadline prior to their first semester. They must meet the criteria established for the semester in which they apply and attend as a new student at the University. Policies are subject to change.

Western Undergraduate Exchange Tuition Discount | Financial Aid and Scholarships

Save $16,000+ per year on tuition with WUE

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) provides undergraduate students from eligible western states and territories with the opportunity to study at the 91ԭƬ at a significantly reduced tuition cost.

Start an application

Aerial view looking south on the 91ԭƬ campus with the library, parking garage, fitness center and education building visible.

WUE eligibility

Open to incoming freshman^ and transfer students who are earning their first bachelor's degree and are attending the University from participating western states.

See how much you could save

See how Nevada’s WUE tuition discount rate stacks up against other flagship universities across the West.

Stack scholarships with WUE

Estimate your merit awards and see how much you can add directly on top of your WUE discount tuition rate.

WUE eligibility requirements for 2027-2028 academic year

A graphic of western states in alternating dark and light blue colors with the state acronym in white.

Open to 18 different states and regions

Participating regions include Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Republic of Palau, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Students wear blue, yellow and orange shirts and cheer from the stands during the NevadaFIT orientation program at the 91ԭƬ.

New freshman WUE requirements

To qualify, students must be earning their first bachelor's degree, have graduated from high school within the most recent academic year (May 2026 or later) and meet one of the following requirements:

3.0 weighted academic GPA¹ (AGPA) or
22 Composite ACT score² or
1120 SAT score²

Applying for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027? View 2026–2027 eligibility requirements >

Two people walk out the front entrance of the Reynolds School of Journalism building on the 91ԭƬ campus.

New transfer student WUE requirements

Students must be earning their first bachelor's degree and meet both of the following requirements:

2.5 cumulative transfer³ GPA and
24 transferable semester graded credits⁴

Transfer students are not eligible to receive the WUE stackable merit scholarships.

Applying for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027? View 2026–2027 eligibility requirements >

Why WUE at the 91ԭƬ?

While most institutions place restrictions on their WUE programs, the 91ԭƬ gives you freedom to maximize your academic investment.

Stackable merit scholarships

Pair your discounted tuition with academic scholarships worth $500 to $10,000 per year for four full years.

Study any major

Pursue whatever field of study you want. We do not cap or restrict WUE tuition benefits by academic program.

4-year tuition benefit

Keep your reduced tuition rate for four consective years without jumping through renewal hoops.

See how much you could save versus other public flagship universities

Attending Nevada with WUE saves you anywhere from ~$29,000 to $42,000 per year compared to other Western flagship institutions and that's before applying any academic merit scholarships.

91ԭƬ $15,221 (Tuition with WUE discount⁵)
e.g., UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine
$57,300 (Out-of-state tuition⁶)
Save ~$42,079/year at Nevada
$47,466 (Out-of-state tuition⁶)
Save ~$32,245/year at Nevada
$46,058 (Out-of-state tuition⁶)
Save ~$30,837/year at Nevada
$44,460 (Out-of-state tuition⁶)
Save ~$29,239/year at Nevada
$44,400 (Out-of-state tuition⁶)
Save ~$29,179/year at Nevada

Take your savings further with WUE stackable merit scholarships

The WUE tuition discount is just the starting point. Unlike other universities where tuition discounts cannot be combined with institutional aid, the 91ԭƬ allows you to stack your renewable academic merit scholarships on top of your WUE tuition rate, bringing your total four-year savings^✳ as high as $104,000. Open to new freshman only.

Award Level

Annual Merit Award

4-Year Merit Total

Total Estimated 4-Year Savings with WUE*

Presidential Level
Our highest incoming freshman academic merit scholarship.

$10,000/yr

$40,000

Up to $104,000

Silver State Level
Four-year renewable academic scholarship.

$4,000/yr

$16,000

Up to $80,000

Comstock Level
Four-year renewable academic scholarship.

$2,000/yr

$8,000

Up to $72,000

Mt. Rose Level
Four-year renewable academic scholarship.

$1,500/yr

$6,000

Up to $70,000

Battle Born Level
Four-year renewable academic scholarship.

$1,250/yr

$5,000

Up to $69,000

Wolfie Level
Four-year renewable academic scholarship.

$500/yr

$2,000

Up to $66,000

Presidential Level

Annual Merit Award

$10,000/yr
4-Year Merit Total

$40,000
Total Estimated 4-Year Savings with WUE*

Up to $104,000

Silver State Level

Annual Merit Award

$4,000/yr
4-Year Merit Total

$16,000
Total Estimated 4-Year Savings with WUE*

Up to $80,000

Comstock Level

Annual Merit Award

$2,000/yr
4-Year Merit Total

$8,000
Total Estimated 4-Year Savings with WUE*

Up to $72,000

Mt. Rose Level

Annual Merit Award

$1,500/yr
4-Year Merit Total

$6,000
Total Estimated 4-Year Savings with WUE*

Up to $70,000

Battle Born Level

Annual Merit Award

$1,250/yr
4-Year Merit Total

$5,000
Total Estimated 4-Year Savings with WUE*

Up to $69,000

Wolfie Level

Annual Merit Award

$500/yr
4-Year Merit Total

$2,000
Total Estimated 4-Year Savings with WUE*

Up to $66,000

^✳Total estimated 4-year savings combines four consecutive years of the base WUE tuition discount (~$16,000/year savings vs. standard nonresident tuition) with the 4-year cumulative merit scholarship award. Based on 2027-2028 tuition at 30 credits across fall (15) and spring (15 semesters).

Transfer students are not eligible to receive the WUE stackable merit scholarships.

Ready to see your scholarship amount?

Use our interactive estimator to calculate your estimated merit scholarship tier in seconds, or review full score and GPA requirements, eligibility rules, and scholarship renewal criteria.

Estimate your merit scholarship

Frequently asked questions about WUE

Additional WUE information for 2027-2028 academic year

^{^} Incoming freshman must have graduated from high school within the most recent academic year prior to their intended term of enrollment. For instance, if you are applying for Fall 2027, your high school graduation date must be after May 2026.
¹ A weighted academic GPA (AGPA) accounts for the difficulty of honors, AP, and IB classes.
² Students may request a superscore to be used by emailing WUE@unr.edu
³ Does not include courses with Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory designation
⁴ Does not include Advanced Placement or non-graded work
⁵Tuition only. Based on 2027-2028 tuition at 30 credits across fall (15) and spring (15 semesters). Tuition information >
⁶Estimated totals for comparison are from publicly available information on each university's website.

Updated 8/31/2026

2026–2027 WUE eligibility requirements (Fall 2026 & Spring 2027 starts)

The following criteria apply to incoming freshman^{^} and transfer students admitted for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027. Note that academic merit scholarships cannot be stacked on top of the 2026-2027 WUE tuition discount.

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