The ultimate guide to apply to Midwest Student Exchange Program

If you’ve ever browsed out-of-state tuition fees and felt your stomach drop a little, you’re not alone. The price jump can be dramatic. That’s exactly why the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) exists. It gives students a chance to cross state borders without paying painful non-resident rates, sometimes saving an average of $7,000 a year. Yes, really.

And if you want to know more, you’ve come to the right place. This guide breaks down what MSEP is, how it works, who qualifies, which states participate, how to apply, and what to expect once you do. By the end, you’ll know whether this program is something you’ve been looking for.

What is the Midwest Student Exchange Program?

The Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) is a voluntary tuition reciprocity initiative run by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). In simple words, 8 Midwest states decided to team up and make out-of-state college more affordable for each other’s students.

MSEP launched in 1994 to widen access to higher education, especially for students who wanted to explore academic options beyond their home state without paying full non-resident tuition. Back then, the idea was pretty revolutionary. And today, 31 years later, it’s the largest multi-state tuition discount program in the Midwest.

Here’s how it works:

• Public colleges and universities agree to cap tuition for MSEP students at no more than 150% of in-state rates.
• Private institutions that participate offer at least a 10% tuition reduction.
• Each institution decides which of its programs qualify.

Not every Midwestern state is part of the program, but the ones that are let students study across the region for much less.

How the program has evolved

Since the ‘90s, the program has grown to include over 70 colleges and universities across 8 states. While the number of participating institutions changes occasionally, the purpose stays the same: Make education across the Midwest more financially accessible.

The program is strictly for the United States, and it applies only within the MHEC-member Midwest region. There are no exceptions for schools outside the Midwest, international institutions, or states that have opted out.

How many students benefit from MSEP?

Exact participation varies each year (because the program is voluntary), but consistently:

• Thousands of students save money annually.
• Savings typically range from $500 to $7,000 per year, depending on tuition rates and institutions.

Some students save far more over a four-year degree, especially if their major is in a high-cost program.

Who is eligible for the Midwest Student Exchange Program?

MSEP eligibility is simple, but also very specific. To qualify, you need to check off a few boxes:

1. Students must be legal residents of one of these states:

1. Indiana
2. Kansas
3. Minnesota
4. Missouri
5. Nebraska
6. North Dakota
7. Ohio
8. Wisconsin

If you live in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, or South Dakota, you’ll see your state on the MHEC website but not in the MSEP list. That’s because your state participates in the regional compact (MHEC) but not in the exchange program. This is the #1 point of confusion for students and parents.

2. You must enroll as a non-resident student

This means:

• You live in one participating state
• You’re applying to a school in another participating state
• And that school participates in MSEP (not every campus does)

3. You must enroll in an MSEP-approved academic program

Each campus decides which majors or academic programs qualify. Some include nearly everything while others limit it to specific departments.

4. Grades, age, or nationality

You’d be glad to know that MSEP does not set:

• Age limits
• GPA requirements
• Special rules for minority groups
• Citizenship requirements

However, individual institutions can. Your eligibility for the discount is separate from your eligibility for admission. So while MSEP itself doesn’t care about the above, the campus you apply to might.

5. All final decisions rest with the receiving campus

This is a key part of the program. Schools can limit participation, choose which programs qualify, or apply additional admission requirements for MSEP students.

Which states are eligible for the Midwest Student Exchange Program?

As mentioned earlier, the 8 Midwestern states that participate are Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Are there restrictions within these states?

No, none at the state level. But the restrictions come from campuses and programs. Here are a few examples of what may vary:

• A university may offer MSEP rates only for certain majors
• A campus may cap the number of MSEP tuition slots
• Some departments may have higher entry requirements

Any exceptions for non-participating states?

No. If your home state does not participate, you cannot receive the MSEP discount, even if the school you want to attend is part of the program.

How to apply for the Midwest Student Exchange Program?

Here’s where MSEP is refreshingly easy – there’s no central application. You apply directly through the institution you want to attend, and they handle everything from their side.

Here’s a step-by-step overview for you:

1. Find a participating college or university. Browse MHEC’s directory and select your home state to see the list.
2. Confirm your program is MSEP-approved. Each school has its own list.
3. Reach out to the campus MSEP point of contact. Every institution has a designated administrator, and they will tell you:

• Whether your major qualifies
• Whether the program has capacity
• What documents you need

4. Apply for admission like you normally would. The MSEP discount is tied to your acceptance, not a separate form.
5. Follow the campus’ MSEP enrollment process. Some include a checkbox on the application. Some require an email. Others automatically apply the discount if you qualify.
6. Check each year whether you need to re-enroll. Some schools renew your MSEP status automatically, but many do not.

What to keep in mind when applying?

Application deadlines:

There’s no universal deadline. Every institution sets its own.

General rule of thumb:

If the college has rolling admissions, MSEP typically follows that timeline. If the college has priority deadlines, apply early.

Application fees:

MSEP itself does not charge fees. But the college you apply to may have an application fee.

Are there advisors to help?

Yes, every MSEP campus provides:

• A point-of-contact
• Instructions for their process
• Help with questions about eligibility, major changes, or renewal

To help you out, this is advice we gathered from past MSEP students, campus advisors, and the fine print no one reads until it’s too late:

• Apply early for popular majors. Programs like engineering, nursing, computer science, and business tend to fill quickly. Plus some campuses have a limited number of MSEP slots.
• Double-check your qualifying major. Even within the same department, some concentrations may be included and others not.
• Keep your residency proof ready. Campuses may ask for your driver’s license, state ID, tax returns, and/or voter registration.
• This is a big one many students miss – if you switch majors, your discount may change. If your new major isn’t under MSEP, you could lose the reduced tuition.
• You can combine MSEP with scholarships. MSEP doesn’t block you from merit scholarships, need-based aid, departmental awards, and even federal aid. Many students stack multiple benefits for even bigger savings.

What costs are covered by the Midwest Student Exchange Program?

Ok, let’s clear this up – MSEP is a tuition discount program, not a full scholarship and not a financial aid package. Here’s what it does and does NOT cover:

Covered:

• Tuition only, and that too at reduced non-resident rates
• Public institutions: capped at 150% of in-state tuition
• Private institutions: ≥10% tuition discount

Not covered:

• Travel costs
• Living expenses
• Housing or meals
• Books and materials
• Full tuition coverage
• Costs for out-of-Midwest institutions
• Online courses (varies by campus)

Some campuses offer separate financial support for low-income students, but this is not part of the MSEP program itself.

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Is the Midwest Student Exchange Program right for you?

If you’re a Midwestern student exploring colleges beyond your home state, MSEP is one of the simplest ways to bring non-resident tuition down to a manageable number. It’s flexible, widely recognized, and has helped thousands of families reduce the financial pressure of higher education.

This guide covered what MSEP is, who qualifies, which states participate, how to apply, and what costs to expect. While each campus has its own rules and processes, the core idea stays beautifully simple: open more doors at a lower cost. So if you’re planning your college journey and want wider academic options without the heavy price tag, the Midwest Student Exchange Program is absolutely worth exploring.

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Niyati Shinde

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