Application

Your adventure starts here

After confirming that you meet eligibility requirements for National Student Exchange, you will complete a brief online application through NSE.org with the materials outlined below. Once the application is received by the NSE office at Iowa State, we will reach out to you to schedule an interview. A non-refundable $325 application fee will be added to your ISU U-Bill after completion of the NSE interview. If you have any additional questions, please call our office at 515-294-6479 or email nse@iastate.edu.

Priority Placement Information

• The NSE priority application for the upcoming Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 academic year opens on December 1st. All application materials, including the NSE interview are due by Friday, February 26th. 
• Review the NSE Chance of Acceptance page to understand the competitiveness of exchange placement.
• Students are encouraged to begin the process early to allow time to gather materials, explore exchange options, and meet with the NSE office. Completing all application requirements by the Priority Placement deadline provides students with the best opportunity to be placed at their preferred host institution. 

Required Application Materials 

To apply for NSE, complete the following steps: 

• Application for Exchange
  • In addition to a complete applications, the following materials must be uploaded here: NSE Materials Form 
    • ISU transcript
    • ISU financial aid package (not required if you are not receiving any form of financial aid.) 
  • You will be asked to list the name and contact information for an ISU faculty or staff member who will complete the NSE recommendation form. Please share either the link to this page, or the Qualtrics form link with your recommender directly: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1C9l0kw4XuJvO9n 
• NSE Interview
  • Once the completed application and recommendation are received in our office, we will contact you to schedule an interview. A non-refundable $325 application fee will be added to your ISU U-Bill after completion of the NSE interview. 

Accessing required ISU materials

• Transcript
  • Create an account on Parchment to request an official transcript 
  • Send a copy of your transcript to your email
  • Attach PDF to your online application
• Financial Aid Package
  • View this guide to locate Financial Aid information in Workday
  • Attach to your online application