Getting Started

Congratulations on your decision to participate in an Education Abroad or National Student Exchange program! The planning stages outlined below will help you have the best experience possible.

Education Abroad offers frequent in-person and virtual Education Abroad and National Student Exchange 111 information sessions. The information sessions are designed to introduce students to the Education Abroad and National Student Exchange programs available at NMSU. During this presentation, you will learn about program options, fulfilling degree requirements, costs, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, as well as the next steps, and how to apply. Register for an upcoming Education Abroad & National Student Exchange 111 Information Session in Crimson Connection.

Education Abroad and National Student Exchange currently offers more than 100 programs in over 35 countries and within the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. International destinations include programs in Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia/New Zealand, Africa and the Middle East.

Our advisors work with a specific regional portfolio and can help you evaluate program options in order to meet your academic, professional, and personal goals. Advisors can answer specific questions and guide you throughout the process of applying and preparing to participate in one of our programs.

Selecting a program is an important academic decision. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic standing and what classes are necessary for graduation. It is best to discuss these things before you apply, as some programs have non-refundable registration fees. Course equivalencies are determined by your College/Department, with the assistance of a faculty or staff member assigned to you to act as an advisor (not the same as your CAASS Advisor). A copy of the course equivalency form can be found in your Education Abroad Application Portal.

An Education Abroad or National Student Exchange program is an investment in the future and can be affordable. It is important, however, that students determine early (even before they have selected a specific program) that they will have sufficient resources to cover all the costs of study abroad whether payable to NMSU or to another program provider.

  • Review the list of Education Abroad Scholarships to see what you may be eligible to apply for.
  • Degree-seeking NMSU students who participate in an Education Abroad or National Student Exchange program are eligible to apply their financial aid package to the cost of an education abroad program. If you will be using financial aid to pay for the cost of your program, you can log in to your MyNMSU student account to view your financial aid award and see how much money you may have to apply to the cost of a program. If you need help comparing the cost of a program with your financial aid award, schedule an appointment to meet with your Financial Aid Advisor.
  • Review the NMSU financial aid policies regarding education abroad for more information.

Education Abroad and National Student Exchange process applications on a rolling admissions basis. Be mindful of applying early for limited capacity programs, such as exchange programs, which may fill up when capacity is met (first come, first serve). Scholarship decisions will be announced after the final deadline for each term.

Education Abroad Programs

Term Application Deadline
Fall Semester & Academic Year March 15
Winter Break September 15
Spring Semester September 15
Spring Break November 1
Summer March 15

National Student Exchange 

Term Application Deadline
Priority Placements February 15
Fall Semester & Academic Year May 1
Spring Semester October 15

 

Once a program has been selected, your Advisor will provide you with a Budget Sheet that breaks down all applicable costs to your program. To sign up for the program, return a copy of the signed Budget Sheet to your Education Abroad Advisor or National Student Exchange Coordinator along with a receipt for non-refundable Program Placement Fee, paid to the University Accounts Receivable (UAR) Cashier by the sign-up deadline. Documents can be returned to your Education Abroad Advisor or National Student Exchange Coordinator by email, or by scheduling an appointment. If you are applying to a Faculty Led International Program (FLIP), you can skip this step.
After you have selected a program, met with an Education Abroad Advisor or the NSE Coordinator, and received a budget sheet for your selected a program, schedule an appointment with Veronica Llanez, Financial Aid Advisor, Sr. if you will be using financial aid to pay for the cost of a program. Appointments can be schedule with Veronica by emailing her at verllane@nmsu.edu or by calling 575-646-4105.
Take a copy of your Program Budget Sheet with you to your appointment.
If you will not be utilizing financial aid to pay for the cost of your program, you can skip this step.