Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Advising

Tag: scholarships

How do I sign up to take the FE exam?

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The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is maintained by the NCEES, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Go to the NCEES webpage to register for the exam. Once you have paid the fee you will be able to choose your testing site. The Michigan Tech testing center will be one option. If none of the Michigan Tech testing center dates work for you then contact the testing center directly and ask if other dates can be made available.

The Chemical Engineering department will help you pay for a portion of the test if you request the reimbursement prior to graduating. Drop off or email your receipt to the department office to request reimbursement.

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Should I take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam?

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Yes, you should take the FE exam because working towards getting your professional engineering license is a multi-year process and the best time to start it is when you are finishing your bachelors degree. 

The licensure requirements vary from state to state, but they usually involve the following steps:
1.  Earn an engineering degree from an accredited program.  Our program is ABET accredited. 
2.  Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
3.  Obtain professional work experience
4.  Pass the Professional Engineering (PE) exam

You are already working on step one.  The next step is to pass the FE exam.  You may take the FE exam when you are close to finishing your degree.  The department will also help pay for a portion of the exam if you choose to schedule it during your last year at Michigan Tech.  

Not everyone will end up getting or needing a professional engineering license but whether you will need or want it is difficult to know early in your career.  Taking the FE exam now requires less preparation because the information covered on the test is fresh in your mind.  Your FE exam results do not expire.

See also: How do I sign up to take the FE exam? and What should I do to prepare for the FE exam?

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Can I have less than 12 credits in my last semester?

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That depends.  As an undergraduate student you must have at least 12 credit to be considered full-time.  Does your health insurance require you to be a full-time student?  Are you paying for school using scholarships or loans that require you to be a full-time student?  Are you an international student that needs to be a full-time student for your visa?

It used to be common for health insurance rules to require you to be a full-time student, however that is not always the case anymore.  You will need to check with your health care provider to see what are your current requirements.

Just about everyone’s financial aid (this includes both scholarships and loans) is different.  Some student have told me that their financial aid was able to be prorated, but that will depend on which scholarships and loans you have.  Some students who are paying with loans and already have a job offered lined up have chosen to use their 6-month grace period during their last semester. It is important to set up an appointment with the Financial Aid Office to figure out what is best for you.

If you are an international student there is a form that you can fill out that allows you to have less than 12 credits in your final semester and still meet your visa requirements.  For more information contact the International Programs and Services Office.

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