The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) is a regional organization created by the Western Regional Education Compact to facilitate resource sharing among the higher education systems of the West. It implements a number of activities and initiatives across 15 Western states and U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States (which currently include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam).
The purpose of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education Program is to offer programs to every level of college student: undergraduate, graduate and professional level to welcome students to enroll in select out-of-state programs or out-of-state students to enroll in select University of Hawaiʻi programs at reduced non-resident costs. Exchange students receive preference in admission.
For professional students, a condition of support requests that the student declare his/her intent to return to Hawaiʻi to practice as a professional in their field of study.
Programs
Western Undergraduate Exchange
Founded in 1987, the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a regional tuition-discount agreement administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. WUE enables students from one of 16 WICHE states and territories in the Western U.S. to enroll as nonresidents in 160+ participating public colleges and universities and pay 150 percent (or less) of the enrolling school’s resident tuition—which annually saves students an average of $9,000 each on the cost of nonresident tuition.
Western Regional Graduate Program
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) allows master’s, graduate certificate, and doctoral students who are residents of WICHE member states to enroll in 800+ graduate programs at some 60 public institutions outside of their home state and pay up to 150 percent of resident tuition.
Professional Student Exchange Program
The Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) provides discounted out-of-state (or private) tuition support for students pursuing certain professional health care or veterinary degrees at WICHE participating universities. Eleven western states and territories participate in PSEP; their legislatures subsidize tuition for PSEP students. The initial application process is handled by the individual state certifying office. If you are a Hawai’i resident and are interested in Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physical Therapy or Veterinary Medicine check out our PSEP page.
Quick Links
Hawaiʻi State Certifying Office
1733 Donaghho Road
Kuykendall 716
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-9404
WICHE@hawaii.edu
Hawaiʻi Program Commissioners
David Lassner, President, University of Hawaiʻi
John Morton, Vice President Emeritus, University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges
Colleen Sathre, Vice President Emeritus, University of Hawaiʻi
