Membership FAQ

New To AIAA

Q: How long will it take for my membership to be processed?
A: Your online application is processed almost immediately. You will receive a confirmation email showing your membership ID number along with additional information to help you start using your benefits immediately. If you submit your application via mail, it can take 1–2 weeks for processing.

Q: When will I receive my New Member Information Kit?
A: Within one or two days of joining, you will receive your New Member Information via email.

Q. Will I receive a receipt?
A: Yes. If you join online, your email confirmation will detail your order. If you would like a printed receipt, please contact our Customer Service Department by email or phone at 703.264.7500 or 800.639.2422 (inside the United States).

Q: When will I receive my first issue of Aerospace America?
A: Your first issue will ship approximately one month after you join. Not sure if you receive print? Please review your membership benefits.

Q: How do I find out about my section assignment?
A: Each AIAA member is assigned to a section based upon their preferred Zip code or postal code. When you log in to My AIAA, your section assignment will be displayed within 24 hours of joining.

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 log on to My AIAA. Then click on "Manage My Profile."

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Q: What is my membership status?
A: To check on your membership status, please log in to My AIAA. Your membership expiration date will be displayed. If you prefer, you may contact AIAA Customer Service.

Q: My membership has expired. 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 membership date?
A: Yes. However, if you wish to retain your original continuous membership date, you may do so by paying the back dues for the years during which your membership had lapsed.

Q: How long will it take for my membership to be processed?
A: Your online application is processed almost immediately. You will receive a confirmation email of your transaction. If you submit your annual renewal via mail, it can take 1–2 weeks for processing.

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 log on to My AIAA. Then click on "Manage My Profile."

Q: I registered for a conference at the nonmember rate. Does it include membership renewal?
A: No. You will need to renew your membership separately from the conference registration.

MEMBERSHIP ADVANCEMENTS

Q: I am interested in advancing my AIAA membership. How do I start the process?
A: To advance your membership, log in to My AIAA and click on the nomination link located under Membership Advancements.

Q: Is there a fee to advance my membership?
A: No. AIAA does not charge a fee to upgrade your membership. Your dues only increases when you are elected to Associate Fellow and Fellow.

Q: How do I know if I qualify for a membership advancement in grade?
A: The standards for qualifying for advancement in membership is simple:

• Senior Member: You are eligible for Senior Member nomination if you have over eight years of professional practice in the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics. You are also eligible for Senior Member status if you have 8 consecutive years of AIAA membership.
• Associate Fellow: You may be nominated for Associate Fellow status if you are a Senior Member in good standing and have over 12 years of professional practice in the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.
• Fellow: You may be nominated for Fellow if you have been an Associate Fellow in good standing and have made notable and valuable contributions in the field of aeronautics or astronautics.
• Honorary Fellow: You may be nominated for Honorary Fellow if you have been a Fellow in good standing and 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.

Q: What are the deadlines for the various membership upgrade nominations? 
A: Senior Member nominations are accepted and processed each month. Associate Fellow nominations are due by 15 April of each year, with references due by 15 May. Fellow and Honorary Fellow nominations are due by 15 June of each year, with references due by 15 July.

Q: Who reviews the nominations for various membership upgrades?
A: Your professional peers review all AIAA membership upgrade applications. Each year, the AIAA Board of Directors appoints selection committees to review all nominations for membership upgrade.

Q: Can you give me any tips for completing the advancement nominations?
A: Nominations should be thoroughly and thoughtfully filled out and comply with page and section limits. The committees prefer not to receive excessive or poorly organized material. A more voluminous submission is not necessarily a better one! Additionally, please make sure the references who are selected are knowledgeable of the candidate’s work. Do not include resumes or CVs.

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.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Q: Where can I find information about the AIAA Honors and Awards program?
A: All of your answers can be found on the Honors & Awards page. Feel free to reach out to AIAA Customer Service for further questions.

Q: Where can I make a nomination for an award or member advancement?
A: Please visit the Honors & Awards section of the AIAA website, found under Get Involved. Choose either Honor or Awards from the menu items.

ENGAGING WITH AIAA

Q: How can I become active in my local section?
A: To join the mailing list, participate in events/activities, or become a volunteer leader with your local section, reach out your section’s leadership. You can find contact information for your section at My AIAA and My Communities.

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 will find a description of the scope, volunteer contact for each of AIAA's Committees there.

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. Descriptions and web links for the 71 technical committees are found here. 

Q: What is AIAA's non-discrimination policy?
A: AIAA is committed to providing engagement opportunities and access to products and services in a manner that is free from discrimination based on any personal factor unrelated to qualifications or performance. Such personal factors include, without limitation, race or color, citizenship, national origin or ethnicity, ancestry, religion or creed, political affiliation or belief, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Find out more

PUBLICATIONS/SUBSCRIPTIONS

Q: I have not been receiving my copy of Aerospace America. What should I do?
A: You should log onto My AIAA and verify that your mailing address is correct. If your address is correct, please contact AIAA Customer Service at 1.800.639.2422 and explain when you received your last issue. A customer service representative will confirm your subscription, troubleshoot the problem, and have replacement issues sent to you.

Q: My membership is due to renew, but my journal subscriptions are not. How can I sync them up?
A: You should reach out to AIAA Customer service to have your account reviewed.

Q: I am an Emeritus or Lifetime members and I have a subscription to a journal. Will the journal automatically renew?
A: No. The subscription will need to be renewed manually by logging in to MY AIAA and choosing Renew my Subscriptions.

For more questions about ARC related material, subscriptions, and publishing, please visit ARC FAQs found here.