What to Know Before You Apply 

Learn more about NACAC membership eligibility requirements and application materials 

What to Know Before You Apply

THE APPLICATION PROCESS
  • Submit an application interest form, which provides basic information to the NACAC membership experience team and initiates the application process.
  • A member of the team will reach out requesting appropriate supporting documentation for your membership, as needed. We encourage all applicants to review NACAC’s membership eligibility and required documentation based on membership type, which can be found below.
  • Approval and dues processing will take 3-5 business days to complete.
DUES AND FEES
  • View our membership model for membership dues based on member type and/or staff size.
  • All membership fee invoices are paid online by the sole member or by the organization/institution’s primary contact or company manager.
  • Member benefits begin once dues have been paid.
  • If NACAC receives a request for membership cancellation within 30 days of renewal or approval, a refund of dues may be issued. No refund of dues will be issued more than 30 days after approval or renewal of membership.
THE BILLING PROCESS
  • NACAC’s membership year runs from January 1 through December 31.
  • NACAC does not offer prorated memberships.
  • NACAC’s annual renewal billing cycle begins in October; current members receive renewal invoices in October.
  • New memberships purchased after October 1 will be valid through December 31 of the following year.

Required Membership application Materials by Member Type

Required application materials vary by membership eligibility. Please see below for more details by membership category. 

  • Indication of non-profit status 
  • Proof of accreditation 
  • Number of full-time professional staff 

  • Number of full-time professional staff 

  • Demonstration that the organization has been in business for 3+ years 
  • Organization’s mission statement 
  • Organization’s web address 

  • Demonstration that the organization has been in existence for 3+ years 
  • Organization’s mission statement 
  • Organization’s web address 
  • Proof of tax-exempt status 

With previous NACAC voting rights membership: 

  • Professional website OR professional literature outlining your counseling practice 

With a HECA membership or professional IECA membership: 

  • URL of HECA or IECA membership directory that lists you or your organization’s website and membership in good standing 

With documented completion of a practicum-based counseling program from a member-eligible institution: 

  • Certificate of completion from your practicum-based counseling program 
  • A letter of recommendation from a current NACAC member in good standing 

    A strong letter of recommendation is written on letterhead and includes the date, the recommender’s title and place of employment. The contents of the letter should address how long they have known you and in what capacity. Be sure the recommender includes their signature. You can submit the letter in the application portal on their behalf. Alternatively, recommenders can choose to submit the letter via email to membership@nacacnet.org. 

  • College counseling services webpage 
  • A description of your college counseling practice in 250 words or less 

With two years of experience as an educational consultant/counselor OR a bachelor’s degree and two years of college admission counseling experience in a secondary school, postsecondary setting, or a not-for-profit organization eligible for NACAC membership: 

  • A letter of recommendation from a current NACAC member in good standing 

    A strong letter of recommendation is written on letterhead and includes the date, the recommender’s title and place of employment. The contents of the letter should address how long they have known you and in what capacity. Be sure the recommender includes their signature. You can submit the letter in the application portal on their behalf. Alternatively, recommenders can choose to submit the letter via email to membership@nacacnet.org. 

  • Date of retirement

  • Information regarding your previous NACAC member eligible employer

  • Current transcript or confirmation of course completion, indicating completion of studies within the last academic year.
  • Course work is required to be in the area of college admission counseling or financial aid.

  • Syllabus of coursework
  • Courses are required to be in the area of college admission counseling or financial aid.