The National Academy of Arts, Sciences and Engineering (NAASE) was founded in 1999 to give exceptional high school students the chance to attend college after their junior year of high school. Actual participation in NAASE covers only the first year of college attendance. Most high schools will count college coursework against graduation requirements and provide high school diplomas upon completion of the NAASE program year.
Currently, the only college participating in the NAASE program is the University of Iowa, and is administered by the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. The Belin-Blank center provides a $1,000.00 assistance scholarship to NAASE participants and encourages and assists the students in finding additional financial aid.