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membership fAQs
The following are the most frequently asked questions AIAA responds to with regard to our Membership programs:
Joining AIAA
Q: How long will it take for my membership to be processed?
A: Your online application is processed almost immediately. When the data is imported into the system and your payment processed, you will receive a confirmation with additional information. If you submit your application via mail, it can take 1-2 weeks for processing.
Q: When will I receive my Membership ID card?
A: A durable ID card will be mailed within three-six weeks of processing your membership. You will receive a New Member Kit explaining AIAA benefits and services within two weeks of processing your application.
Q: Will I receive a receipt?
A: Yes. If you join via the web, your email confirmation will detail your order. If you would like a printed receipt, please contact our customer service department.
Q: When will I receive my first issue of Aerospace America?
A: Your first issue will ship approximately one month after your membership is processed.
Q: How do I find out about my section assignment?
A: Each AIAA member is assigned to a section based upon his or her preferred Zip code or postal code. Your section assignment will be on your welcome letter. The AIAA Web site has a “find a section” feature that will help you determine your section and the current officers. If you wish to change the section assignment, contact AIAA Customer Service at 800/639-2422.
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Membership Changes or Updates Q: Can I change or update the information in my AIAA record without calling the Customer Service Department?
A: Yes. To change or update your AIAA member information go to the My AIAA page.
Q: I am retiring. Do I need to notify AIAA?
A: Yes. You may change your status to retired by contacting AIAA Customer Service or by making the change at renewal. As a retired member of AIAA, you qualify for reduced dues and registration fees for AIAA conferences. Your dues will drop to one half the current dues fee at your next renewal date.
Q: I am unemployed but want to maintain my membership. What do I do?
A: Contact AIAA Customer Service. A 50% reduction in membership dues are available to a member who informs the AIAA Headquarters that he/she has become involuntarily unemployed and is seeking reemployment. The unemployment dues fee shall not exceed four years. The reduced payments may not be made in installments.
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membership status Q: What is my membership status?
A: To check on your membership status, please contact AIAA Customer Service at 800/639-2422.
Q: What are the grades of membership?
A: There are 10 grades of AIAA membership.
1. Student (SS)
Student Member applicants are those interested in aeronautics and astronautics whose primary activity is study at recognize colleges, universities, and secondary schools offering curricula and studies acceptable to the Institute.
2. Associate Member (MA)
Associate Members are those interested in the development or application of aeronautics and astronautics. Associate Members may not vote in Board of Director elections.
3. Member (MB)
Member grade applicants must have a degree in science or engineering … equivalent qualifications through professional practice ... or an interest in the development or application of aeronautics and astronautics.
4. Senior Member (MH)
Senior Members shall be persons who have demonstrated successful professional practice in the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics for the equivalent of at least eight years.
5. Associate Fellow (MC)
Nominees must be AIAA Senior Members, have 12 years of professional experience, and furnish three references from Associate Fellows, Fellows, or Honorary Fellows..
6. Fellow (MD)
Fellows are individuals of distinction in aeronautics or astronautics who have made notable valuable contributions to the aerospace arts, sciences, or technologies. Nominees must be Associate Fellows.
7. Honorary Fellow (ME)
Honorary Fellows are individuals of eminence in aeronautics or astronautics distinguished by long and highly contributive careers in the aerospace arts, sciences, or technologies. Nominees must be Fellows.
8. Honorary Member (MF)
Honorary Members shall be nominated by the Honors and Awards Committee and elected by the Board.
9. Educator Associate (NEA)
This membership is free to all K-12 teachers of math, science, or engineering. Educator Associate Members may not vote.
Q: Does AIAA offer Lifetime Memberships?
A: Yes. AIAA has a special dues rate for members who would like to become "Lifetime" Members. The cost for "Lifetime " membership is 15 times the current dues rate.. You may pay the "lifetime " membership dues in two, four, or eight installments. To take advantage of this option, please contact AIAA Customer Service at 800/639-2422.
Q: What does the number after my member grade code mean?
A: If a "1" follows the grade, the member is retired. If a "3" follows a grade, the member is a "Lifetime Member."
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membership upgrades Q: Is there a fee to upgrade my membership status?
A: No. AIAA does not charge a fee to upgrade your membership. Your dues only increase when you are elected to Fellow grade.
Q: How do I know if I qualify for a membership upgrade?
A: Simple. You are eligible for Senior Member status if you have over eight years of professional practice in the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics. You may be nominated for Associate Fellow status if you have over 12 years of professional practice in the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics and are currently a Senior Member. You may be nominated for Fellow if you have personally made notable and valuable contributions in the field of aeronautics or astronautics and are currently an Associate Fellow. You may be nominated for Honorary Fellow if you are a person of eminence in aeronautics or astronautics, recognized by a long and highly contributive career in the arts, sciences, or technology of these fields, and are a current Fellow.
Q: What are the deadlines for various membership upgrade applications?
A: Senior Member applications are accepted and processed each month. Associate Fellow nomination forms are due by 15 April of each year, and references are then due by 15 May. Fellow and Honorary Fellow nomination forms are due by 15 June of each year, and reference forms are then due 15 July.
Q: Who reviews the applications for various membership upgrades?
A: Your respective peers review all AIAA membership upgrade applications. Each year, the AIAA Board of Directors appoints Selection committees to review all applications for membership upgrade.
Q: Can you give me any tips for completing the upgrade applications?
A: To make the peer reviewers’ tasks easier, they always request that the applications are thoroughly and thoughtfully filled out, using supplemental pages only when necessary. The committees do not like receiving too much material or unorganized material. A bigger package is not necessarily a better one!
Q: I am an international member and have difficulty finding references. Are they an important part of the review process?
A: References are critical to the review process. AIAA is aware that international members may have difficulty finding references. The AIAA staff and many volunteers will always assist you in finding appropriate references.
Q: I am interested in upgrading my AIAA membership. Who do I call to receive the nomination forms?
A: To receive AIAA membership upgrade information, simply call AIAA Customer Service at 800/639-AIAA. Outside the United States, call 703/264-7500. The Customer Service representatives will be glad to forward membership upgrade information to you.
Download Adobe Acrobat Upgrade Nomination Packages by accessing them under Honor & Awards or on the Membership Upgrade page on the AIAA Web site.
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membership dues
Q: My spouse is also a member of AIAA. Is there a discount for the two memberships?
A: When two members are married to each other, AIAA offers a “spouse” discount to one of the members. The spouse dues are one half the current dues rate. Both members retain “Professional” membership status, but only one copy of Aerospace America will be sent – to the member paying the full dues rate.
Q: Is there a cost to change/upgrade my membership?
A: There are no fees charged to upgrade your AIAA Membership. However, membership dues will increase when upgrading to Fellow status ($100.00 for members/$50.00 for retired members). If you are changing your status to a “Retired” member, your dues will actually be reduced to one half the current dues rate at your next renewal date.
Q: I am returning to school. Will my dues change?
A: If a Professional member of AIAA is returning to school as a full-time student (12 credit hours or more), the member is eligible for reduced member dues of one half the current dues rate at his or her next renewal date. The member retains his or her Professional Member status.
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membership renewal
Q: My membership expired a few weeks ago/over a year ago. Will I lose my member grade when I renew?
A: No. When you reinstate your AIAA membership, you will return at the same member grade you had attained before your membership expired.
Q: My AIAA membership expired over a year ago. Will I lose my continuous date?
A: Yes. If you wish to retain your original continuous date, you may do so by paying the back dues for the years that your membership lapsed.
Q: Must I pay the dues for the years that my AIAA Membership was expired to reinstate my
membership?
A: No. Members are only required to pay the back dues for the lapsed years if they wish to keep their original continuous date.
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publications/subscriptions
Q: I have not been receiving my Aerospace America and AIAA journals. What should I do?
A: Contact AIAA Customer Service at 800/639-2422. Explain when you received your last issue and provide your current mailing address. A Customer Service Representative will confirm your mailing address and have replacement issues sent to you.
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local sections Q: How can I become active in my local Section?
A: You can find a list of Sections and the point of contact for each Section on the Sections page. An e-mail address or Section Home page link is provided for most Sections.
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aIAA committees Q: How can I become a member of one of the AIAA Standing Committees?
A: You may nominate yourself or be nominated by another member for membership on an AIAA Standing Committee. You can also nominate other members. A description of the scope and volunteer contact for each of AIAA's Committees is located on the Standing Committees page. If you are interested in participating on a Standing Committee, please complete the online Standing Committee Nomination Form found on the Forms page.
Q: How do I become a member of an AIAA Technical Committee?
A: Any AIAA member is welcome to apply for membership on a technical committee. Technical Committee membership is generally for three consecutive one-year terms. Nominations open 1 August and close 1 November, although midyear placement on a Technical Committee is possible. For more information or to obtain a nomination form, go to the Technical Committee page.
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young professionals Q: Does AIAA offer any programs for younger Professional members?
A: Yes. AIAA has developed special programs for young professionals under the age of 35. Find out more on the Young Professionals page.
Q: I have just finished school and started a job. Does AIAA have any type of discounts for persons new to the field?
A: Yes. If you are under 35 years of age, within your first 5 years of professional employment, and were not previously a student member, you can join at half the price of full dues.
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career development Q: Does AIAA offer any career assistance?
A: Yes. AIAA has a Career Center where you can post your resume, apply online for jobs, and receive email notifications of new postings. This site also has career guides and links to other resources.
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k-12 programs
Q: Does AIAA have any programs for K-12 teachers?
A: AIAA offers an Educator Associate program. This membership is free to all K-12 teachers of math, science, or engineering. Please see the Precollege Programs.
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