Licensure Pathway Support Program
Grants for NAAAEA Chapter Scholarship Programs
A grant of $4,000 to an eligible chapter, awarded by that chapter to its own students through the scholarship program it already operates.
- Grant
- $4,000Once per chapter per program year
- Applicant
- The chapterThrough an authorized board officer
- Recipients
- Two to four studentsMinimum $1,000 per award
- Applications
- RollingReviewed on the 15th of each month
Purpose
Funding the chapter’s own scholarship program
Most chapters already operate a scholarship program but lack the funds to make awards of meaningful value. This grant provides $4,000 to be awarded during the 2026–2027 program year.
The Association does not select recipients. The chapter applies its own criteria, selects its own students and presents the awards under its own name. The Association asks only that awards go to students on the pathway to licensure, and that they are documented.
Eligible recipients
- Students currently enrolled in an engineering, engineering technology, surveying or geomatics program at an accredited U.S. institution, undergraduate or graduate.
- Architecture students in a NAAB-accredited professional or pre-professional degree program.
- High school seniors holding an offer of admission to, or documented intent to enroll in, one of the above for 2027–28.
Chapter eligibility
Conditions a chapter must satisfy
All of the following, at the date of application. Where a chapter falls short on one, it should say so on the form, as several are readily remedied.
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An active chapter in good standing
Holding meetings, maintaining a functioning board, and operating in accordance with the national By-Laws. Chapters that are dormant, suspended or in formation are not eligible in this program year.
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National dues paid in full
Through the 2026 dues year. This is verified against the Association’s records, so no receipt is required. A chapter that settles an outstanding balance is eligible immediately.
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An established scholarship program
Either an award documented in 2023 or later, or written guidelines adopted by the chapter board. One of the two is uploaded with the application.
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An independent, documented selection
Conducted by the chapter and not delegated to the Association. Awards may not be made to a board officer, to anyone taking part in the selection, or to their immediate family.
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Disbursement within the program year
The full $4,000 to be awarded by July 15, 2027. There is no shorter deadline. Any sum undisbursed at that date is returned to the Association for re-award.
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Acknowledgement of NCEES Foundation support
Announcements and certificates are to state that the scholarships are supported in part by the NCEES Foundation. Logo files and approved wording are provided with the award letter.
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A closing report
Within 30 days of disbursement. The contents are listed below. The report is brief, but it is a condition of the grant.
One grant per chapter per program year. Receiving it does not affect eligibility for the separate Grant for NAAAEA Chapters or Grant for Student Initiatives, nor its students’ eligibility for the Annual Scholarship.
Assessment
What the Committee weighs
Eligibility is a matter of fact. Where applications exceed the funds available, weight is given to the following.
- Awards directed to students in accredited engineering and surveying programs, and chapter activity that raises awareness of licensure.
- Written criteria and a documented method of selection.
- An identified pool of candidates, through a student chapter or local institutions.
- Chapter or sponsor funds added to the grant. This is not required, but it is taken into account.
- A dated plan showing disbursement well before July 15, 2027.
The Committee may award in full, award a lesser sum where the allocation is nearly committed, or defer an application with observations. A chapter that is declined may reapply once in the same program year.
Timeline
From submission to report
- ApplyAny time up to June 1, 2027
- Review15th of each month, for applications complete by the 10th
- DecisionWithin ten business days of review
- FundsWithin 30 days of approval
- DisburseBy July 15, 2027
- ReportWithin 30 days of disbursement
Reporting
The closing report
Due within 30 days of disbursement. A template is provided with the award letter, and nothing listed here should take more than an hour to assemble.
- Each recipient’s name, institution, program and expected graduation year
- The amount awarded to each and the date paid
- Evidence of disbursement, such as cleared checks or transfer confirmations
- A short account of the selection and how many applied
- At least one photograph of the presentation, with permission for its use
- One or two brief statements from recipients Two or three sentences each is sufficient.
- A copy of the announcement showing the NCEES Foundation acknowledgement
A chapter that does not file its report is ineligible for further Association grant funding until it does so. Where an item is difficult to obtain, the chapter should write before the deadline rather than after it.
Application
Chapter application
To be completed by an authorized officer of the chapter board, being the president, vice president, treasurer or scholarship chair. Please have the chapter’s scholarship guidelines, or a record of a previous award, available to upload.
Submission does not constitute an award. Awards are made in writing and are subject to available funds. Information submitted is used to administer the program and to report on it in aggregate; individual applications are not disclosed outside the Association.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
May a chapter with outstanding dues apply?
A chapter that settles its balance is eligible the same day. Where the amount owed is itself the difficulty, the chapter should contact the Association before applying.
May a chapter without an existing scholarship program apply?
An established program is a condition, although what qualifies is modest: guidelines adopted by the chapter board are sufficient, even where no award has yet been made. For establishing a program from nothing, the Grant for NAAAEA Chapters is better suited.
May a chapter add its own funds to the grant?
Yes, and it is taken into account. A chapter adding $2,000 may award $6,000 on any division it chooses, provided the $4,000 of grant funds is awarded to students in full.
May the entire grant be awarded to one student?
No. A minimum of two recipients is required, and each award must be at least $1,000. An exceptional candidate should be directed to the Annual Scholarship, where awards have historically been considerably larger.
Must recipients be Arab American, or NAAAEA members?
Neither is required by this grant. The chapter sets its own criteria. What is required is enrollment in, or admission to, a qualifying accredited program.
May a high school senior receive an award before enrolling?
Yes, where the chapter holds documentation of admission or of intent to enroll. Paying the institution directly, or releasing the award once the first semester has begun, are both acceptable provided disbursement occurs by July 15, 2027.
What happens if an application is declined?
The chapter receives the Committee’s observations and may reapply once in the same program year. Most refusals arise from dues not being current, or from the absence of a documented selection process.
Part of the Licensure Pathway Support Program, supported in part by the NCEES Foundation. National AAAEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Terms and availability are subject to available funds and may be revised; the version published on this page governs. Enquiries: comm@aaaea.org.