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Membership FAQs

Is my institution eligible for membership in ACE?
ACE institutional membership is open to all U.S. degree-granting colleges and universities that are accredited by a CHEA-recognized accrediting agency (CHEA). Affiliate membership is available to U.S. degree-granting institutions that have been officially awarded "candidacy" status by a CHEA-recognized accrediting agency. System offices, as well as national and regional higher education associations, are also eligible for membership.

I'm not affiliated with an institution. Is my organization eligible to participate in ACE?
ACE offers associate opportunities for corporations, foundations, search firms, and international organizations that are concerned with higher education. Applications meeting the criteria set forth above may be approved by the President and reported to the Board of Directors.

• Membership
• Membership Application (PDF)
• The Alliance Program

My institution is not eligible for ACE membership. Are there other opportunities for involvement in ACE?
Yes. Many organizations have come to ACE to have their training courses, certifications, and apprenticeship programs reviewed for ACE's college credit recommendations. ACE CREDIT assists Fortune 500 corporations, associations, labor unions, government agencies, schools, and training suppliers in translating their education programs into college-level recommendations.

Who are ACE's member contacts?
The chief executives of member institutions and organizations are ACE's primary contacts. We also work closely with senior campus administrators and other staff throughout our member campuses.

How do I calculate my dues rate?
ACE institutional dues are based on full-time equivalent enrollment (FTE) and education and general expenditure (E&G). This information is downloaded from the U.S. Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). All system offices are billed at one fixed rate. If two-thirds of a system's campuses are ACE members, the system receives a complimentary membership. Please contact the Membership Office for your institution's dues rates.

All ACE associate categories are billed at fixed dues rates. Please contact the Membership Office for your organization's dues rates.

What is ACE's membership year?
ACE's membership year follows the fiscal year, or October 1–September 30.

How many members and associates are active in ACE?
Approximately 1,800 total members and associates.

My corporation requires that my institution be approved by ACE for tuition reimbursement purposes. Where can I verify the status of my school?
ACE is not an accrediting body. It does, however, publish an annual listing of all U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions. This publication, the Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education, can be purchased through the ACE Bookstore. Please note that this is not a list of ACE members. For a list of current members and associates, please visit our Members and Associates Directory.

While ACE does not set tuition reimbursement criteria for any organization or corporation, it has developed an Educational Assistance Policy Guide (PDF). This document is designed to assist leaders in business, government, industry, labor, and other organizations that are responsible for developing or managing an educational assistance program. Contact your human resources or benefits department for more information on your company's specific policy.

Why should I join ACE?
There are many reasons why your institution or organization should join the nation's only coordinating, presidential-level higher education association. To learn more about our benefits, please visit our Benefits and Services web page.

I would like to order the mailing list, but my organization is not a member.
The rental of ACE's mailing lists is a members-only benefit. For more information about ACE's mailing list, please review our mailing list policies.