The Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) was established by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact to increase interstate educational opportunities for students in its member states. The program enables residents of Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin who are admitted as nonresident students to enroll at IU Southeast at a reduced cost. IU Southeast’s participation in the MSEP became effective with the spring 2017 semester.
What is the Midwest Student Exchange Program?
The Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) is a multi-state tuition reciprocity program. Through the MSEP, participating institutions agree to charge students no more than 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate for specific programs. All enrollment decisions are made at the discretion of the receiving campus and the campus may exercise its right to limit participation or set specific admission requirements for MSEP.
Which majors at IU Southeast participate in the MSEP?
Certificate programs, associate degree programs, baccalaureate programs, and graduate degree programs are included. Exceptions include all online degree programs and dual degree programs in which students enroll through a different institution (e.g. Sullivan University).
Are there eligibility requirements in order to participate in the MSEP? To be eligible for the award at IU Southeast, a student must be a resident of Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin. The student must also apply and be admitted to IU Southeast as a nonresident, as well as enroll and attend classes on campus. Eligible students will be granted a Midwest Student Exchange Program award.
Note: Some nonresident students may qualify for resident tuition according to Indiana state law. Those students are not eligible for the Midwest Student Exchange Program award. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or undocumented students that are classified as nonresidents are not eligible for the MSEP award.
Are both full- and part-time students at IU Southeast eligible to participate in the MSEP? Participation in the MSEP is available to both full-time and part-time students.
Are graduate students eligible to participate in the MSEP? All on-campus graduate degree programs participate in the MSEP. A list of these graduate degree programs can be found on the Graduate Programs landing page.
Is the MSEP award available to international applicants? If a student currently resides in Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin and has one of the following immigration statuses, they may qualify for the MSEP award at IU Southeast. Valid immigration statuses include: A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2, E-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, H-1B, H-4, I, L-1, L-2, O-1, O-3, V-1, V-2, V-3, or pending I-485 beneficiary.
Is the MSEP award available to IU Southeast student-athletes? Yes. To be eligible for the award at IU Southeast, a student must be a legal resident of Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin.
Are transfer, second degree, intercampus transfers, returning, and other non-freshman students eligible for the MSEP? Yes. Generally, all undergraduate degree-seeking students who meet the eligibility requirements named above can qualify for the MSEP award.
What is the IU Southeast application process? Visit the Apply page for details on the application process. Prospective students should refer to our Priority Dates page to determine if IU Southeast is still accepting applications for a desired starting term. Graduate admissions are decentralized on the IU Southeast campus. Please visit the applicable Graduate Programs website for details and deadlines.
Are application fee waivers part of the MSEP program? No, application fee waivers are not a part of the MSEP program.
I was admitted prior to the spring 2017 semester and meet MSEP requirements. Am I able to receive the award? Yes. Starting with the spring 2017 semester, current, or previously enrolled students, who meet MSEP requirements and remain eligible to enroll in the degree program qualify for the MSEP award automatically and do not need to complete an MSEP application.
How much money can I save through the MSEP? Actual savings can vary, but generally, nonresident, undergraduate students from one of the MSEP states pay approximately $19,346 per year in tuition. MSEP-participating students pay approximately $10,342 per year in tuition after the MSEP discount is applied.
Since graduate tuition rates vary by program, please refer to the specific graduate program tuition site. Graduate students should pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition for their desired program.
Important note: The MSEP award reduces IU Southeast tuition costs. Mandatory fees and other program fees are not reduced by the award. For more on these fees, see the IU Southeast fee estimator.
Can the MSEP award be used for summer session tuition? Yes, the MSEP award is granted for summer session courses taken at IU Southeast.
Can I receive financial aid and still qualify for the MSEP award? Yes. However, all financial aid received, when combined with the MSEP award, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance. MSEP participants are responsible for all other fees assessed upon enrollment.
Can I receive a scholarship from IU Southeast and still qualify for the MSEP?
Yes. A student who receives the MSEP award may still be granted an admission-based scholarship. For example, if a student is admitted as a nonresident from an MSEP state AND qualifies for an IU Southeast-awarded scholarship, their scholarship will be award in its full amount, if all aid award does not exceed the student’s cost of attendance.
Please visit our Scholarship Search page for scholarships that match your area of study. Then, select "Apply Now" to begin your application. For questions on scholarships and financial aid grants, contact financialaid@ius.edu or call (812) 941-2246.
How will the MSEP award or other scholarships affect personal income taxes? Students receiving combinations of scholarships and awards that exceed tuition and fees (direct costs) may need to consult with IRS publications #520 and #508 on tax liability for the difference. Please see the IRS website for downloadable copies or more information. (The Office of Financial Aid cannot provide information on tax advising.)
Can I receive a fellowship from IU Southeast and still qualify for the MSEP? Yes. A student who is a legal resident of Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, and has applied and been admitted to a graduate program at IU Southeast as a non-Indiana resident, may receive the MSEP award and still be granted a school-specific award in the form of a fellowship, graduate assistantship, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship.
If I am an MSEP student, can I take online courses as part of my on-campus degree program? Yes. MSEP students enrolled in an IU Southeast on-campus degree program can take online courses to fulfill requirements outlined in their degree map.
Are there requirements to retain the MSEP award? Yes. The student will continue to receive the award as long as he/she remains eligible to enroll in their degree program regardless of subsequent status of the MSEP participation agreement or the institution’s or degree program’s participation in the exchange program.
If I enroll in a course at another IU campus during the summer, will the MSEP cover the tuition at another campus? No, the student must enroll in courses through IU Southeast for the MSEP award to be applied.
I did not receive the MSEP award, but believe I qualify. Who can I contact? Students who have not received approval of their MSEP eligibility, but feel they meet the eligibility criteria, can complete the Office of the Registrar's appeal form.
