Midwest Student Exchange Program: Cost Savings Finder Tech Forum and User Focus Group

MHEC is exploring the development of a Cost Savings Finder tool to make it easier for students and families to find and compare tuition savings options — including Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) discounts, reciprocity agreements, and non-differential tuition programs.

By consolidating these opportunities into one accessible platform, the Cost Savings Finder aims to make tuition and affordability information easier to find, more transparent, and comparable across states — helping students and families make informed postsecondary choices.

Increase Discount Transparency: Your insights can help us design a more robust and scalable technology platform — key to increasing awareness of tuition discounts in the Midwest, helping more students achieve significant tuition savings.

Solve Data Pipeline Challenges: We’ll explore best practices for moving, updating, and ensuring the quality and refresh rate of institutional data (e.g., tuition, program availability) on the proposed Cost Savings Finder tool to guarantee students have the most accurate information.

Shape AI and Data Sharing Policy: We’ll discuss the technical architecture and compliance needed for data sharing agreements, including potential uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the development of responsible AI and data governance policies.

Inform High-Level Decisions: This forum offers a chance to directly influence the future of a major regional student exchange resource. Your recommendations will guide MHEC’s approach to system security, data compliance, and responsible AI implementation.

Your contributions will help ensure this initiative reflects the highest standards of technological integrity, usability, and regional collaboration.

Your expertise is also vital to ensuring the Cost Savings Finder is built on a strong and sustainable information foundation. In particular, we’re seeking input from professionals who can help us:

• Explore early concepts and potential designs for the tool.
• Discuss how different audiences—students, families, counselors, and institutions—might use it.
• Identify ways to ensure the tool is intuitive, accurate, and appropriate to meet the needs of users.

Your feedback will be critical in shaping how users interact with the Cost Savings Finder and how it can most effectively serve the region.

For more information contact Carrie Wandler, Senior Director of Policy Initiatives.