What is NEST?
NEST stands for Navigating the Enrolled Student Transition. This program provides a transitional pathway for students to immerse themselves in the Ball State community while taking courses at Ivy Tech Community College Muncie to gain credits needed to transfer to Ball State as a full-time student the following year. As a NEST student, you will be involved in student success programming at Ball State University and Ivy Tech, including taking one class each semester on Ball State's campus. NEST students will live in residence halls alongside other Ball State students and be able to participate in campus community activities (except for fraternities and sororities). Completion of the NEST program with a GPA of 2.5 or better will guarantee admission to Ball State as a transfer student for Fall 2026.
Please note that the NEST program is available by invitation only for students that meet specific requirements in our First-Year Student application process.
Commuter Eligibility
Those accepted into the NEST program who are residing within a 30-mile radius of Ball State may choose between living on our campus or commuting. However, all students are expected to take advantage of the academic support resources and activities on both campuses. If your current residence changes, it may impact your NEST commuting eligibility.
Join Our Nest
To learn more about the NEST program and benefits, watch the video below:
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Key Benefits
- Live on Ball State’s beautiful campus
- Complete core college requirements
- Pay Ivy Tech tuition rates
- Full time support staff dedicated to
your success
- Guaranteed admission to Ball State
in 2026*
* requires satisfactory completion of all NEST programming, including a GPA of 2.5 or higher
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What is the cost of NEST?
A NEST student will be charged the cost of tuition and fees at Ivy Tech as a full-time student. These fees will be paid to Ivy Tech Community College Muncie. Students in the NEST program will be charged at Ball State for room and board and the cost of taking one class each semester on campus. All fees not related to the course or room and board will be waived as a NEST student. The cost for the one class the student will be taking at Ball State will be at a per credit hour cost of an Ivy Tech course. Please note that campus fees that are waived for NEST students will not be waived once a student officially transfers to Ball State.
What courses will I be taking?
As part of this program, you will be completing the Indiana College Core (ICC) certificate with Ivy Tech. The completion of this certificate will mean that 30 of your 36 general education core curriculum requirements will be met at the end of the academic year. In addition to this, you will work with Ball State and Ivy Tech advisors to make sure you are also trying to complete any courses through the ICC that will also apply as prerequisite courses for your intended major. For a better understanding of your completion of coursework in the NEST program, please contact the Ball State Transfer Center.
NEST Contact:
If you have questions about the NEST program, please contact Transfer Center at transfer@bsu.edu or 765-285-5604.
