Reciprocal programs offer the opportunity for students to attend programs at institutions in other states for a reduced cost over the out-of-state tuition rate. Many of these agreements are program- or institution-specific, so careful examination of program agreements is recommended. There are two main programs for Missouri students:
Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)
The Midwest Student Exchange Program, or MSEP, is a reciprocal program arrangement among states that are part of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). Students from participating states are able to attend certain programs and institutions outside of their home state at reduced cost. Seven states participate in this agreement: Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Please visit MHEC's website for more detailed information, including a current program and institution list; click on "Student Access" for a link to the MSEP program.
Missouri-Kansas Reciprocal Agreement on Architecture, Dentistry, and Optometry
Through the cooperation of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Kansas Board of Regents, and the Curators of the University of Missouri , this reciprocal agreement was developed to expand student access to academic programming not available in the respective states of Missouri and Kansas and to promote efficient use of resources.
Under this agreement, students can attend out-of-state programs for reduced cost:
- Missouri Residents
- School of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Kansas
- College of Architecture and Design at Kansas State University
- Kansas Residents
- School of Dentistry at the University of Missouri - Kansas City
- School of Optometry at the University of Missouri - St. Louis
Agreement Details/Eligibility Standards Regarding Reciprocal Tuition and the Exchange of Students
The Kansas Board of Regents
The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education
The Curators of The University of Missouri
In order to expand student access to academic programming not available in the respective states of Missouri and Kansas and to promote the efficient utilization of existing resources, the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Kansas Board of Regents, and the Curators of the University of Missouri established a reciprocal tuition agreement for Missouri residents desiring to study in the professionally accredited architecture, architectural engineering graduate programs, landscape architecture, industrial design, or interior architecture programs in the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Kansas (KU) or the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design at Kansas State University (KSU), and for Kansas residents desiring to study accredited professional programs in dentistry at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry or optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) School of Optometry.
Admission Requirements
- Missouri students desiring to study in the Kansas programs under this agreement shall apply directly to the Kansas programs for admission and must be granted unconditional admission to the appropriate professional school in accordance with customary institutional procedures.
- Kansas students desiring to study in the Missouri programs under this agreement shall apply to the Kansas Board of Regents to be designated as a potential applicant.
- Kansas students interested in optometry shall only be designated as a potential applicant if they agree to comply with the requirements of K.S.A. 74-3270 through 74-3273, including engaging in the practice of optometry in Kansas on a full-time basis following successful completion of the optometry program.
- After receiving the designation as potential applicants, Kansas students shall apply directly to the Missouri programs for admission and must be granted unconditional admission to the appropriate professional school in accordance with customary institutional procedures.
- Once admitted, students covered by this agreement shall be entitled to all customary rights and privileges accorded out-of-state students.
Limitations on Number of Reciprocal Tuition Waivers
The institutions participating in this reciprocal tuition agreement may admit as many Kansas or Missouri students to the programs under this agreement as may qualify for admission although they shall endeavor to structure admissions so a reasonably steady flow of new students can be maintained from one year to the next. Hower, the total number of available out-of-state tuition waivers under this agreement shall be 108 for Kansas residents in the UMKC School of Dentistry; 12 for Kansas residents in the UMSL School of Optometry; 491 for Missouri residents in both Kansas institutions, to be divided evenly between KU and KSU as determined by the Kansas Board of Regents.
General Student Eligibility Standards
To be eligible to receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition under this agreement and to qualify for an annual renewal of the waivers, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- Demonstrate they satisfy the residency requirements of the respective home state. In cases of dispute, the final decision on residency shall be made by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education for Missouri students and by the Kansas Board of Regents for Kansas students.
- Maintain full-time, continuous enrollment, not including summer sessions. Exceptions to this provision shall be limited to (1) a student who must interrupt their studies owing to a bona fide medical problem, as determined jointly by the student’s physician and the institution, and (2) a student who receives an approved leave of absence from the academic program in which they are enrolled.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the admitting institution.
- Sign a FERPA release form to permit the administrating institution to fulfill reporting requirements of Section X of this agreement.
For more information about this agreement, please contact Alicia Erickson, Director of Academic Affairs, alicia.erickson@dhewd.mo.gov