Pack Exchange Program

If you're a new freshman or transfer student from the Western U.S., you can save on your out-of-state tuition.

Only available at the University of Nevada, Reno, the Pack Exchange Program is for non-resident students from participating states who don’t qualify for the WUE Scholarship. Pack Exchange allows students from participating states and territories to pay only 200% of our standard Nevada resident tuition.

Participating areas include Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

 

First-year freshman

April 7, 2025 is the deadline to submit an application for Fall 2025 WUE/Pack Exchange consideration

Eligibility

  • You must reside in a participating state or territory
  • You must be seeking your first bachelor’s degree
  • You must begin at the University for the fall immediately following high school graduation
  • Available to all majors
  • No separate application

Academic qualifications

Students from participating states that do not qualify for the WUE Scholarship may be considered for the Pack Exchange Program. To be considered, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Minimum 3.0 weighted academic grade point average (AGPA) or
  • Minimum 22 ACT Composite or minimum 1100 SAT score (Student may request a superscore to be used by emailing WUE@unr.edu)

Note: Test scores are not required for admission. Students may qualify for Pack Exchange based on just their AGPA. 

An Academic GPA (AGPA) takes into account the grades within the University’s core courses required for admission (4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years of natural science and 3 years of social science). Admissions staff calculates a student’s AGPA using only the grades for approved completed coursework within these subjects.

How to receive Pack Exchange consideration

Eligible students will receive automatic consideration with a completed admissions file which includes the following:

  • Admissions application and application fee
  • Official transcript sent directly from school
  • Official test scores sent directly from test agency (test scores are optional for admission purposes)

University school codes:

  • ACT: 2494
  • SAT: 4844

How is Pack Exchange awarded?

The Pack Exchange Program is a non-disbursable scholarship awarded in the form of a tuition discount. Pack Exchange tuition is calculated at a rate of 200% of the Nevada resident fee.

Students accepted into the Pack Exchange Program are notified via email two-to-three (2-3) business days after being admitted to the University or after a reconsideration request is processed. Copies of email notifications are also available in the student’s MyNEVADA account under the “Communication Center.”

How to request Pack Exchange reconsideration

The deadline to submit qualifying documentation and request reconsideration to wue@unr.edu is July 15. However, students are urged to submit updated transcripts and/or test scores as soon as they are available.

  • June 2025 is the last ACT and/or SAT exam administration the University will receive in time to meet the deadline

Other important information about the Pack Exchange program

  • Students must meet the eligibility requirements prior to attending the University
  • Pack Exchange qualified students are limited to four consecutive years while earning their first bachelor’s degree
  • Freshman awarded Pack Exchange are not eligible for additional general University freshman scholarships
  • If Pack Exchange eligibility occurs after University general scholarship awarding, the Pack Exchange scholarship will replace initial scholarship offer
  • Pack Exchange recipients are not required to live on campus, but it is strongly recommended
  • Housing applications open November 15
  • For the best chance of being assigned to the residence hall of choice or with a requested roommate, please apply by February 1 (A housing waitlist begins when applications exceed available housing spaces)

Submit your admission application materials

University of Nevada, Reno
Office of Admissions and Records
Mail Stop 0120
Reno, NV 89557

 

Transfer students

December 15, 2024 is the deadline for Spring 2025 Pack Exchange Program consideration.
July 1, 2025 is the deadline for Fall 2025 Pack Exchange Program consideration.

Eligibility

  • You must have a minimum of 24 transferable semester credits from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution within a participating state or territory
  • You must be seeking your first bachelor’s degree
  • Available to all majors
  • No separate application
  • You are not eligible for Pack Exchange reconsideration after you begin taking classes at the University of Nevada, Reno

Academic qualifications

To be considered, you must meet both of the following requirements:

  • Must have completed 24 transferable semester credits (does not include Advanced Placement or non-graded work) from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution within a participating location
  • A minimum 2.75 cumulative transfer GPA (does not include courses with Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory designation)

A transfer GPA only takes into account grades from transferable credits. Visit our Transfer Office for more information about the transferability of courses. No test scores are needed.

How to receive Pack Exchange consideration

Eligible students will receive automatic consideration with a completed admissions file which includes the following:

How is Pack Exchange awarded?

The Pack Exchange Program is awarded in the form of a tuition discount. Pack Exchange tuition is calculated at a rate of 200% of the Nevada resident fee.

Students awarded Pack Exchange are notified via email two-to-three (2-3) business days after being admitted to the University (starting by late October) or after a reconsideration request is processed. Copies of email notifications are also available in the student’s MyNEVADA account under the “Communication Center.”

How to request Pack Exchange reconsideration

The deadline to submit qualifying documentation and request reconsideration to wue@unr.edu is January 5, 2025 for Fall 2024 and July 1, 2025 for Fall 2025. However, students are urged to submit updated transcripts as soon as they are available.

Other important information about Pack Exchange

  • Students must meet the eligibility requirements prior to attending the University
  • Pack Exchange is limited to four consecutive years while students earn their first bachelor’s degree

Submit your admission application materials

University of Nevada, Reno
Office of Admissions and Records
Mail Stop 0120
Reno, NV 89557

Important information to consider

  • Review cost estimates and fees. Current WUE and Pack Exchange undergraduate cost estimates are available online.
  • WUE and Pack Exchange are non-disbursable scholarships. While it is listed on the financial aid offer letter, the benefit is granted as non-resident reduced tuition, thereby charging qualified students substantially less. These scholarships will not be disbursed in addition to the discounted tuition.
  • Savings based on credits. Actual WUE or Pack Exchange tuition savings vary based on number of enrolled credits.
  • Fees are required. Mandatory fees are required for all students, regardless of residency status.
  • Cannot reclassify as a Nevada resident. Students may not be reclassified as a Nevada resident while receiving the benefits of WUE or Pack Exchange. Students may decline awarded program, pay full non-resident tuition for at least 12 months and apply for reclassification to Nevada resident status. Learn about becoming a Nevada resident and email mynevada@unr.edu for more information.
  • Students cannot be reconsidered for WUE/Pack Exchange once they begin taking classes at the University. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements by the deadline prior to taking classes are not eligible for reconsideration for these programs. Non-resident students paying out-of-state tuition may consider establishing Nevada residency as a financially independent student. Learn about becoming a Nevada resident and email mynevada@unr.edu for more information.
  • Subject to requirements. Students are subject to the requirements established for the semester in which they apply and attend the University of Nevada, Reno.
  • Not responsible for 3rd-party information/materials. The University of Nevada, Reno is not responsible for information contained on 3rd party websites and/or promotional materials.
 

Frequently asked questions