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Passes our checks

National Student Exchange Inc

EIN 82-2267125 · Ames, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE INSPIRES ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, PERSONAL EXPLORATION, AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT BY FACILITATING ACCESSIBLE COLLEGIATE STUDY AWAY AMONG MEMBER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND U.S. TERRITORIES.

Income
$501,818
Spending
$464,778
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
29.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
3
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$148,488, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $374,255 spent. THE NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE (NSE), A NOT-FOR-PROFIT EDUCATION CONSORTIUM, PROVIDES AFFORDABLE AND PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED AT MEMBER CAMPUSES TO STUDY AND LIVE IN A NEW LOCATION. NSE STUDENTS HAVE FOUND THEIR EXCHANGES CULTURALLY ENRICHING, ACADEMICALLY REWARDING, AND ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCES OF THEIR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PLACED 1,238 STUDENTS FOR EXCHANGE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.