License applicants under age 18 who take their exams with a VE team associated with the ARRL VEC will have their $35 FCC application fee covered (once) by the ARRL, under a new program approved by the League's board of directors.
The ARRL Letter reports that the "Youth Licensing Grant Program" will cover the FCC fee for anyone under 18 who passes one or more license exams at a single test session. Young applicants will also pay a reduced exam session fee of $5. This would apply only to candidates whose exams are coordinated by ARRL-VEC, which will pay the license fees directly to the FCC. The League anticipates initially covering up to 1000 young applicants.
