2026–2027 Program
Licensure Pathway Support Program
A national initiative of NAAAEA that removes the financial and informational barriers standing between talented engineers, surveyors and architects and the license that defines their careers.
About the program
Licensure should not come down to who can afford it.
The Licensure Pathway Support Program is a single, coordinated effort to move more people through the licensure pipeline, from a high school senior choosing a major all the way to a working engineer sitting for the PE or SE.
The barriers we set out to remove are the ordinary ones. A $375 exam fee that arrives at the wrong moment. A student who never hears the word “licensure” until their senior year. An engineering student in need of assistance with tuition. This program addresses each of them directly, through two open funding tracks and a set of no-cost support services.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the program year, and reviewed every month. There is no fee to apply to any part of this program.
At a glance
2026–2027 program year
- TracksTwo, open now
- WhoChapters and individuals
- Program yearAugust 2026 to August 2027
- DeadlineRolling, until funds are used
- ReviewThe 15th of each month
- FeeNone
- MembershipNot required for individuals
Two ways to receive funding
Choose the track that fits you
For NAAAEA chapters
Chapter Pathway Scholarship Grant
$4,000 to your chapter, awarded to your students. If your chapter is active, current on its national dues and already runs a scholarship program, this grant gives that program funding to distribute, and you choose the recipients.
Eligible students are those enrolled in an accredited engineering, surveying or architecture program, and high school seniors who have been accepted into one. Your chapter splits the $4,000 across two to four recipients and keeps full control of selection.
- Award$4,000 per chapter, once per year
- Who appliesThe chapter, not the student
- Recipients2 to 4 students, $1,000 minimum each
- DeadlineRolling through June 1, 2027
For individuals · Open to everyone
Licensure Milestone Award
You passed. We cover the fee. Pass the FE, FS, PE, PS or SE and this award reimburses 100% of the NCEES exam fee you paid.
The one condition is that the money came out of your pocket. If your employer reimbursed you, or is going to, the fee is already covered and this award goes to someone whose employer will not pay. No NAAAEA membership is required and the award is open to all applicants.
- AwardFull NCEES exam fee, no cap
- Who appliesAnyone who passed, no membership needed
- LimitOne award per person per year
- DeadlineRolling through July 1, 2027
Funds are limited and awarded first qualified
Both tracks operate on a rolling basis against a limited pool of funds. Applications are reviewed in the order received and awards are made until the funds for that track are used, at which point the track closes for the year. Applying early materially improves your odds.
How the program works
From application to award in four steps
The same process governs both tracks. There is no interview, no fee and no committee meeting you need to attend.
Apply online
Pick your track above and complete the application form on that page. Both forms take about fifteen minutes and save nothing you have to chase down later.
Attach your documents
Each track lists exactly what to upload, whether that is a pass notice and receipt or a chapter scholarship plan. Incomplete applications are held, not rejected, and we will email you for what is missing.
Monthly review
The Licensure Pathway Review Committee reviews all complete applications on the 15th of each month. You receive a decision by email within ten business days of that review.
Funds released
Approved awards are paid by check or ACH within 30 days of the decision. Chapters then run their own selection, and individuals receive their reimbursement directly.
Included at no cost
Support that isn’t money
Funding is one half of the program. The other half is everything NAAAEA already provides to anyone working toward licensure, free, and open whether or not you apply for a grant.
Mentorship from licensed professionals
Free · Rolling enrollment
NAAAEA pairs candidates with licensed PEs, PSs and SEs who have been through the same exams. Mentors help with study planning, jurisdiction-specific application questions, and the experience documentation that trips up most PE applicants.
Exam preparation resources
Free · Available now
Curated, NCEES-aligned reference material, reviewer recommendations and study guidance for each exam, plus recorded and live technical webinars that carry PDH credit for those already licensed.
Also worth knowing: the National AAAEA Annual Scholarship, the Grant for NAAAEA Chapters and the Grant for Student Initiatives run independently of this program. Receiving one does not disqualify you from the other, and you are welcome to apply to both.
Ready to apply?
Chapters apply for scholarship funding. Individuals apply for their exam fee back. Both take about fifteen minutes.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can I apply to both tracks?
Yes, though you apply for them in different places. For the Licensure Milestone Award, which covers your exam fee, apply directly on this site using the form on that page. For a scholarship, apply through the NAAAEA chapter nearest you. National funds the chapter and the chapter runs its own selection, so your chapter is who you speak to. Find yours on the chapters page.
Do I need to be an NAAAEA member?
Not for the Licensure Milestone Award, which is open to all applicants with no membership requirement. The Chapter Pathway Scholarship Grant is by its nature for NAAAEA chapters, so that track requires an active chapter in good standing on its national dues.
Is this the same as the National AAAEA Scholarship?
No. The National AAAEA Annual Scholarship is awarded by National directly to individual students on a fixed annual deadline. The Chapter Pathway Scholarship Grant funds a chapter’s own scholarship program on a rolling basis, and the chapter selects its own recipients. Both are open to the same students.
What happens if the funds run out before I apply?
The track closes and this page is updated to say so. Applications already submitted and complete stay in the queue in the order received, and if additional funds become available or an approved award is declined, we work down that queue. We will also tell you directly by email rather than leaving you waiting.
What is the NCEES Foundation’s role?
The NCEES Foundation supports programs that advance engineering and surveying licensure and strengthen the pipeline of future licensed professionals. It supports this program, but it does not select recipients or review individual applications. Every decision is made by NAAAEA.
Will my information be shared?
Your application, transcripts, receipts and personal identifiers stay with NAAAEA and are used to administer the program. We report on the program as a whole, meaning how many awards were made and at what stage of the pathway, without personal identifiers. Photos and testimonials appear in reporting or publicity only where you have given permission on the application form.
Who runs this program?
The National AAAEA Licensure Pathway Review Committee, appointed by the National Executive Board, reviews all applications and makes award decisions. The program’s primary point of contact is the National AAAEA Executive Admin.
Get in touch
Questions about the program
- Program contact
- National AAAEA Executive Admin
comm@aaaea.org - By phone
- +1 312 536 0527
- By mail
- National AAAEA
PO Box 1536
Chicago, IL 60690 - General enquiries
- Contact us →
The Licensure Pathway Support Program is supported in part by the NCEES Foundation. The National Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Program terms, award amounts and availability are subject to available funds and may be revised. The version published on this page governs.