Eligibility
Becoming a Member
Membership Benefits and Information
Dues and Renewal
When is the best time to apply for national membership?
The national membership benefit period is from January through December and a students must renew annually, as long as the student meets the eligibility requirements, to retain their benefits.
A student who applies for national membership between August 1 and December 31 as a new member receives benefits for the balance of the year and all of the following year.
However, if you are applying for the year of your graduation (Example: 2009), by default, you will be given membership for the year preceding (Example: 2008 instead of 2009) in order to qualify you for the NSSLHA to ASHA Membership Conversion Discount. Go to the FAQs about the Conversion Discount for more details about this program.
Who can apply for national membership?
National membership is available to full- or part-time undergraduate and graduate students and to full time doctoral students interested in the study of human communication and its related disabilities.
Membership in the national association is open to students pursuing a Doctorate of Audiology as well as students enrolled in Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) programs, and doctoral programs.
Can I apply for national membership if there is not a chapter on my campus?
Yes. A student may join the national association even if there is not a chapter at the university where you are a student.
I joined the local chapter of NSSLHA. Can I receive national membership benefits?
No. Students joining only the local chapter of NSSLHA are not members of the national association and are not eligible to receive the benefits of national membership.
Read the FAQs about local vs. national membership to help with your decision. The student that benefits the most has membership in both!
Can a doctoral students with CCC's apply for national membership?
No. Students who have applied for or have received the Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCCs) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) are not eligible for NSSLHA membership.
However, a graduate student with the CCCs is eligible for the "graduate student" membership category through ASHA. Students who qualify for this membership category are advised to contact the Action Center at 800-498-2071 for further information.
I am a student enrolled in a communication science program outside of the United States. Am I eligible for national membership?
Yes, students enrolled in a communication science and disorders programs at a university outside of the United States are eligible for membership in the national association.
Are national members bound to a code of ethics?
National members are not bound to a code of ethics. Instead the national association has developed professional guidelines for students to follow. The professional guidelines should be used by programs as a standard for conduct among students pursuing a professional degree in the communication sciences and disorders.
How do I apply for national membership?
National membership applications are available through the local NSSLHA chapter or a student can join by:
Applying Online
Downloading the National Membership Brochure and Application [PDF] and mailing it with the payment to NSSLHA, P.O. Box 1160 #450, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
Calling the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071 and enroll over the phone with a major credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).
Visiting the NSSLHA chapter on your campus and completing an application.
What are the benefits of national membership?
National NSSLHA members receive all the benefits of an ASHA member at 1/3 the costs. Read a detailed explanation of benefits of national membership.
How often are NSSLHA membership dues collected?
National membership dues are collected in January of every year for members that are renewing their membership. An invoice is sent to members in October reminding them that their membership will expire December 31.
How long does it take to process the membership application?
It takes between 2–4 weeks to process a national membership application. August to February are the busiest months for application processing and therefore processing will take longer. The months of March and May through July are not as busy and membership processing is shorter.
How will the national association notify me that I am a member?
Once a membership application is processed, the student will receive a membership card in the mail with your NSSLHA membership number. The membership card should be retained for future reference, as it is helpful when making inquiries about the status of national membership.
How soon after I join are my benefits available?
Access to online member benefits and affiliate member benefits begin almost immediately upon joining. A new member should read the NSSLHA New Member Information to access those membership benefits immediately.
A new member will receive ASHA journals, The ASHA Leader, and NSSLHA publications, as soon as they are available. Keep in mind that journals are printed on a schedule. The most recent issue of the journal might not be available until one or two months after you join. Consult the NSSLHA and ASHA Publication schedule to determine the publication run dates.
How do I access the member only areas of the Web site?
To access the member only areas of the NSSLHA and ASHA Web sites, a student must register with the NSSLHA or ASHA Web sites.
Who do I contact with questions about liability insurance, rental car discounts, etc?
Most general questions about membership services (i.e., change of name or address, change of major) can be handled by the Action Center by calling 800-498-2071.
However, specific questions about benefits provided by outside vendors (i.e., questions about the type of liability coverage, rental car discounts, or to request a credit card) should be made directly to the company providing the service.
A list of the outside member benefit providers is as follows:
Marsh Insurance
800-503-9230
Auto Insurance
800-498-2071
Alamo Rental Car
ID#379321 Rate Code: BY
800-354-2322
IBM (Priority Code: 6G8DH001)
888-426-5800
MBNA America
800-523-7666
Avis Rent A Car System
800-321-1212
(Call the Action Center at 800-498-2071 for the member discount code.)
How do I change my name and address?
Learn more about how NSSLHA members may change their name, address, and/or update degree information.
I was a member of NSSLHA as an undergraduate. How do I reapply for national membership as a graduate student?
If your membership has lapsed for one year or more, complete the NSSLHA New Membership Application Form and enclose payment (check or credit card), making sure that you have indicated the month and year you expect to receive your master's or doctoral degree, and your journal choice on the application.
How will I know when it is time to renew my national membership?
In October, the national office sends an invoice reminder to members to renew membership in the association for the coming year. If that reminder is not acknowledged another reminder is sent in February.
How do I renew national membership?
Members may renew national membership online.
Call the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071 and renew over the phone with a major credit card (Visa or MasterCard only).
Mail the dues renewal invoice with a check, money order, or credit card information to NSSLHA, P.O. Box 1160 #450, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Please include your membership number.
What happens if I do not renew my membership?
National membership that is not renewed by January 31 is suspended. After this date, the member looses access to all online resources (journals, member only areas, etc.), publications, health and liability insurance, special interest division discounts, etc.
Will I have to pay a late fee if I renew my membership after February 1?
No. NSSLHA does not assess late fees or penalties for late dues payments.
Under what circumstances can I receive a refund?
NSSLHA membership dues are non-refundable.
Are the membership dues that I pay to the national association tax-deductible?
Dues payments to the national association are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However, they may be deductible under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
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