Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

What is WUE?

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students from participating western states may apply to enroll in college programs at a reduced tuition level of 150% of Feather River College’s resident tuition/fees. The current WUE Tuition Rate is $69/unit.

The following states participate in the WUE: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The following U.S. Pacific Territories & Freely Associated States also participate in the WUE: Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau.

Currently all associate degree programs, including Associate Degrees for Transfer qualify for WUE. Academic Programs are listed on the WUE Savings Finder page.

How to qualify for WUE at FRC?​

Feather River College is limited on the number of students that can receive the WUE tuition rate. Eligible WUE applicants must submit a separate application with supplemental documentation as stated below for consideration.

To qualify for WUE at Feather River College, students must apply and meet all of the following: 

• Maintain a legal resident status in an approved WUE state or territory for at least 12 months prior to the first day of the semester for which the student is applying. 
  • (see "What is WUE" for qualifying states and territories)
• Enroll in an associate degree program. Currently, all associate degree programs, including Associate Degrees for Transfer qualify.
  • Certificate programs and bachelor degree programs do not qualify for WUE.
• Provide transcripts demonstrating a minimum GPA of 2.0 (for 2024-2025 applicants) at previous institution(s), including high school. WUE Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) each semester.
• Enroll in a minimum of 12 degree-applicable units per primary semester (fall and spring) with 9 of the units coming from on-campus/in-person courses, unless the course required for the degree is only offered online.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from a high school or college employee, or an employer as part of the application.
• Submit a personal statement describing how the WUE Scholarship will help you achieve your personal and academic goals and how you will contribute to the campus community.
• Students transferring from another college are eligible if they have not already completed a degree.
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Applications will be reviewed by a scholarship committee. Students will be notified of their status as soon as possible and at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester for which they applied.

Students accepted for WUE will need to verify the following in accordance with the deadline set in the conditional acceptance notification:

• Enrollment in an approved degree program with a copy of an individualized Student Education Plan (SEP). Students must meet with an Academic Advisor to develop a Student Education Plan. In addition, student must complete college English and math in their first year.
  • A WUE Student seeking to change their major will need approval from the institution in order to determine the impact on the student's WUE award.
• Verification that housing has been secured (or applied for) in Plumas County during the first semester of enrollment as a WUE Student.

For more information, please contact Admissions & Records at Admissions-Records@frc.edu

*Any exceptions must be approved by the Superintendent/President or designee.

**The Director of Admissions and Records will report to WICHE annually, by October 31, the number of WUE students enrolled at the institution, by major/program of study, and the number of WUE students from each member state.

No, if you want to build time towards establishing residency in California, you are required to pay non-resident tuition until residency is legally established.