The UNLV Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship may be offered to eligible incoming first-year and transfer students who reside in one of the following states or territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaiʻi, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Palau, and American Samoa.

To qualify for the WUE scholarship, students must be admitted to UNLV. No special application is required. Students are also strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Alternate Need Form (ANF) to ensure consideration for any additional assistance that may be available.

WUE Value

WUE offers significant tuition savings, amounting to several thousand dollars per year compared to the standard nonresident rate. WUE students are charged 150% of the in-state tuition rate.

The estimated savings for 15 credits* is approximately $13,018 per year for 2023-24 and $13,900 per year for 2024-25. Due to a per-credit tuition discount, this amount may vary depending on enrollment.

*Please note that the calculation represents an approximate scholarship amount, where tuition and fees are based on 15 credits per semester, applicable for the 2023-24 and 2025-25 academic years, respectively.

Application Procedures

  • There is no application. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will review high school transcripts, test scores, transfer credits, and transfer GPAs from the Office of Admissions for eligibility. Priority consideration is based on a first-come, first-considered basis up through July 1 of the upcoming school year.
  • No student should assume they will receive this scholarship until they receive an official award notice from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Selected students will be notified of an award in their MyUNLV Communication Center.

New First-Year Student Initial Requirements

Students must:

  • Earn a 3.25 overall high school GPA (weighted or unweighted), OR
  • 24 ACT score, OR
  • 1160 SAT score combined critical reading and math.
  • Enroll in at least 12 credits (full-time enrollment) in the fall and spring semesters (credit requirement does not apply to the summer terms)
  • Live in a UNLV residence hall during their first year.
    • Students must apply for traditional residence hall housing as defined by the Association of College and University Housing Officers for one of the following owned and operated UNLV residence halls:
      • Dayton Complex
      • Tonopah Complex
      • South Complex
      • Upper-Class Complex
  • Be a first-year student starting in the fall semester

New Transfer Student Initial Requirements

Students must:

  • Have fewer than 90 transfer credits
  • Earn a 3.0 cumulative transfer GPA
  • Enroll in at least 12 credits (full-time enrollment) in the fall and spring semesters (credit requirement does not apply to the summer terms)
  • Be a transfer student starting in the fall semester

Renewability Requirements

Students must:

  • Be enrolled full-time in 12 credits or more with the exception of summer term enrollment
  • Maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA
  • Complete their programs in a maximum of 135 credit hours, including AP credits/college credits earned while in high school

Additional Information 

  • WUE students wishing to be reclassified as Nevada residents must first disenroll from the WUE program and pay full nonresident tuition for at least 12 months. To disenroll from the WUE program, students must submit a request through the Rebel Success Hub.

Residency Application Process Information

  • A student who does not live in the residence hall during their first year may forfeit scholarship eligibility.