Tuition Exchange Export Families FAQ
Q: What is Tuition Exchange?
A: Tuition Exchange is a reciprocal scholarship opportunity. It is not guaranteed. Each member institution has Export and Import guidelines.
Q: Who is eligible for a Tuition Exchange scholarship?
A: The student or parent employer should consult the TELO (TE Liaison Officer) at the Export school where the parent is employed to determine who is considered eligible for TE according to the school’s internal. If you are unsure who your TE Liaison Officer is, click here. If the employee’s dependent is eligible, he/she submits the TE EZ-Application to apply for TE at up to 20 schools.
Q. When does the application cycle begin?
A: The TE EZ-Application opens on July 1 but for the following academic year. Example–the TE EZ-Application will open on July 1, 2025 for students seeking Tuition Exchange for Fall 2026/Spring 2027.
Q: How does my student apply for Tuition Exchange scholarship consideration?
A: Applying is a two-step process.Follow these instructions to create a student account and complete an online TE EZ-Application. You are encouraged to listen to the quick podcast to ensure your TE-EZ Online app is completed the first time correctly.
Q: What is the next step?
A: The TE Liaison at your parent's institution will hopefully "Export Approve" your TE Application, assuming you meet their internal policy for TE consideration. This means, the schools you have listed on your TE EZ-Application that you would like to consider you for a TE Scholarship can then review your application. You can track the status of your TE EZ-Application by logging into your TE EZ-Application account at any time. If you are unsure of a school’s timeline, consult with your admissions counselor or the TELO.
Q: Do I also need to apply for admission?
A: Yes! All students must formally apply for admission to each college by the college's posted admission deadline. Typically, a school will only offer a TE Scholarship to a student that has been accepted for admission.
Q: How many semesters does the TE scholarship cover?
A: TE awards are based on class levels, with an eight-semester maximum for entering undergraduate first-year students. Sophomores would be awarded a maximum of six semesters, juniors would be awarded a maximum of four semesters and a senior has a maximum of two semesters. Schools offering graduate TE scholarship opportunities provide the student with a maximum of four semesters of eligibility. Graduate students are eligible for a maximum of four semesters or two years. Be sure to ask your Import school so that there are no unexpected funding interruptions or, if an extension is required beyond the typical number of semesters. Some may be willing to accommodate.
Q: What is the value of the Tuition Exchange scholarship?
A: It is essential to understand that no monetary funds are exchanged. The value of the TE scholarship is full tuition at the institution OR the TE Set-Rate, whichever is less. TE member schools can reduce/offset the amount of the TE scholarship by any federal or state grants, other institutional grants, scholarships, and even outside scholarships that the student receives. Find the TE scholarship amount and how other financial aid is impacted by the TE Scholarship by selecting the school on the TE School List.
Q: What is the TE Set-Rate?
A: The TE Set-Rate is the weighted average of all current Tuition Exchange schools' tuition. The amount is approved by the Tuition Exchange Board of Directors annually. The 2025-2026 TE set rate is $43,000/year.
Q: Are there a certain number of TE Scholarships that TE member schools must offer?
A: Each member institution must “offer” at least 3 new TE scholarships per year.
Q: Do schools have to maintain a balance of Exports and Imports?
A: Schools are asked to work toward a balance to the greatest degree possible.
Q: Will applying Early Decision increase or decrease my chances for TE?
A: It depends on the institution. Keep in mind that applying Early Decision is binding (if offered admission, the student is agreeing to attend, regardless of financial aid offered/not offered).
Q: Can I have more than one child receiving TE simultaneously?
A: Check w/your Export TELO (parent employer’s liaison) to see if the Export school policy limits the number.
Q: Are transfer students eligible?
A: It depends on the institution. Specific policies such as "freshmen only" are noted by individual schools on the TE School List (select the specific school to learn more), although most schools consider students at all undergraduate class levels.
Q: Will I be charged any TE administration fee by either my employer or the Import school if my student is offered TE?
A: While many schools do not charge any TE administrative fees, there are some that do. Check the TE School List.
Q: Is TE taxable?
A: Generally, scholarships that cover tuition and are not in excess of tuition at the undergraduate level are not taxable. Check IRS Publication 970 at irs.gov.
Q: Do schools offer merit scholarships in addition to TE Scholarships?
A: Check w/the Import school. Many will void the merit scholarship once TE is offered.
Q: Can I receive federal, state grants or outside scholarships in addition to TE?
A: Check w/the Import TELO or see the TE Member School page profile. Some may “offset” the TE Scholarship amount with federal or state grants and other scholarships received.
Q: If my parent separates from employment in the middle of the semester, will my scholarship immediately end?
A: Check with your Export TELO.
Q: Will I get an email notification when a school takes action on my TE App?
A: No. Log into your TE EZ-Application account to check the status of your application.
Q: If offered a TE Scholarship, is there a specific date by which the student must accept it?
A: While schools may request an acceptance/decline of the scholarship by a certain date, they cannot mandate the student deposit prior to May 1.Be kind! Alert the Import school TELO and your admissions counselor if you do not plan to accept any TE Scholarship offered so they can potentially offer it to another student.
Q: If my student is not offered a TE Scholarship for their freshman year, can they be considered for it in future years?
A: While students can re-apply in future years, it’s best to check with the Import school TELO to see if they will consider currently enrolled students for TE and to get a sense of what the likelihood is that you could be offered TE in a future year.
Q: When and how will we hear if the student is offered a TE Scholarship?
A: The notification timelines and methods of notification (email, phone call, letter) vary by institution. Check with the Import school TELO. The student should also periodically log into their TE EZ-Application account to check the status of their TE applications.
Q: After May 1, is there any way to find out which schools still have TE Scholarship spots open?
A: Yes! TE Central surveys schools and publishes a “TE space available” list at tuitionexchange.org in early May.
Q: Do I need to re-apply for TE each year if my dependent was awarded a TE Scholarship?
A: If the eligible parent remains employed at the same school AND the student stays continuously enrolled, there is NO renewal TE EZ-Application should be submitted; however, some TE schools may require an internal form be completed annually as well as the FAFSA. Check with the Export and Import TELO’s.
Q: What happens to my dependent's TE Scholarship if I leave the university?
A: When you notify the Export employer of your decision to leave, your TE scholarship may expire at the end of the current enrollment period. For example, if you tell your EXPORT employer you are resigning on July 1, your student's eligibility expires on July 1. Likewise, if you notify your EXPORT employer you are leaving effective October 15, your student's TE eligibility likely expires on December 31. Any further TE scholarship funding is canceled. Check with your Export TELO to confirm the institution’s policy. If you obtain employment at a new TE school, check with Human Resources or the Export TELO there to see if your dependent will qualify for TE certification once you begin employment. If so, the Export TELO at your original school of employment needs to close out (mark Not Eligible) your dependent’s Export application. Then, your dependent needs to log into their TE EZ-Application account and create a new TE EZ-Application under your new employer. Best advice-keep the TELO’s at all schools (old, new and where the student is enrolled) in the loop during the interim/transition period so your student’s TE Scholarship is not jeopardized.
Q: My dependent has completed the TE EZ-Application and applied for college admission; when will we be notified of the TE decision?
A: Notifications of admission must be determined before TE decisions are made. Each school provides its TE announcement date on the TE website. Students should periodically check their TE EZ-Application account for the status of their applications at each school.
Q: If my dependent uses the TE program, are they eligible to transfer if their original choice is not a good fit?
A: Tuition Exchange is a scholarship and the number of awards can be limited at each member school. Start with your Export employer to confirm the student can update her TE application to include the new school. If yes, the student logs into their TE EZ-Application account and clicks the CREATE TRANSFER APP button, to complete a new application listing the schools they are interested in transferring to.Remember, TE scholarship awards are based on various considerations, likely including but not limited to academic success at the former school and whether the IMPORT school has scholarship dollars available. There is no guaranteed eligibility for Tuition Exchange at the new school.
Q: Does the TE program include graduate degrees?
A: Export schools define what a dependent is, not TE Central. Typically, the individuals eligible for graduate degrees are the employee and their spouse or registered domestic partner. Each school sets its guidelines for program eligibility. Start with your Export school employer to determine if you are an eligible export. If yes, then you can review TE member school's overview to confirm if the school offers TE scholarship options to graduate students. To minimize your search, answer YES to only the following questions: First degree, Master's, and Doctoral.
Q: Is there a grade point average (GPA) requirement to continue in the program?
A: Each school sets its renewal guidelines for students. If there is a GPA requirement, the school should note it in the TE Scholarship offer letter but you can always check with your admissions counselor or the Import TELO.