Western ND News

Williston State College (WSC) has introduced the Canadian Par Value Tuition Initiative, a program aimed at making higher education in the United States more affordable for Canadian students. The initiative will start in Fall 2025 and offers a Presidential Waiver that can reduce tuition costs by up to 35% for Canadian citizens enrolling full-time in certificate or degree programs. This reduction is based on the annual CAD/USD exchange rate.

Dr. Bernell Hirning, President of WSC, stated, “This tuition initiative is an innovative way to strengthen cross-border ties while ensuring our local students continue to receive the financial support they need.” He emphasized that this program would not affect scholarships available to regional students.

Ashley Olson, Director of Enrollment at WSC, commented on the benefits of the program: “This program opens doors for Canadian students while enhancing workforce development in industries like healthcare, technology, and agriculture. It’s a benefit to the entire region.”

The Presidential Waiver applies only to tuition costs and does not cover fees, housing, or meal plans. This ensures that WSC's financial aid structure for local students remains intact. To be eligible for this waiver, applicants must be Canadian citizens enrolled full-time in a certificate or degree program.

The initiative highlights several advantages for Canadian students: up to 35% savings on tuition costs, proximity to the Canadian border with online options available, diverse programs such as Cybersecurity and Healthcare, and personalized support for international students.

Dr. Hirning further noted that “this program reflects our commitment to serving the entire community while staying true to our mission of providing affordable, high-quality education.”

By attracting more Canadian students through this initiative, WSC aims to address workforce shortages in key industries and foster regional economic growth through cross-border collaboration.

Enrollment is now open for Fall 2025. Interested Canadian students are encouraged to apply early. More information about the initiative can be found at www.willistonstate.edu/parvalue or by contacting WSC Enrollment Services via email.

Local residents are also encouraged to share details about this new opportunity with their Canadian acquaintances as part of efforts to strengthen connections between Williston and its northern neighbors.