Why Become Members?

Government policies and priorities have a tremendous impact on the lives of students.  Elected representatives have direct influence over student financial aid, campus safety, recruitment and retention programs and almost every aspect of student life.  The strength in numbers that USSA possesses is unprecedented.  When schools big and small, no matter how active, get together, the resources and the political clout they have is enormous.

Governments, on any level ignore groups that pose no political threat or have no collective voice.  By mobilizing and uniting a powerful grassroots force of students all over the country, we build our power, develop leaders and engage in the political process.  Only by pooling our resources will students have the capability to effectively make their voice heard and win concrete victories!

Direct Campus Membership

Direct membership in USSA means becoming part of a family of campuses working together to strengthen each others work and advocate for college access and affordability. Members get the satisfaction of knowing they are doing everything possible to make the dream of a higher education a reality.  In addition, membership is supported by a number of services and benefits from the national office that include:

• Regular legislative updates
• Analysis and information on all federal legislation regarding students and the issues members prioritize
• Discounted rates for trainings and conferences
• Staff and technical support for local, state, and national grassroots campaigns
• Organizing manuals and fact sheets on issues members prioritize
• Voting privileges at our membership conference and a possible seat on our National Board of Directors
• Help in developing voter registration drives and Get Out the Vote campaigns
• Opportunities to network with engaged student leaders from around the country

State/System Student Association  Membership

As coalition of student governments on the state level, SSAs recognize the importance of collective power and through affiliate membership work to broaden that power nationally.  USSA has secured resources to expand the SSA community by strategic trainings, outreach, and through the most recent addition of the SSA Development Project.  Additional privileges of SSA Membership are:

• Priority strategy support for state campaigns impacting students
• Upon request, providing skilled trainers and organizers for board development
• SSA legislative and organizing conference calls
• Access to USSA’s  national SSA network
• Discounted rates for USSA’s SSA Staff Training

3 Easy Steps to Becoming Members

USSA is a coalition of student governments and state student associations (SSA). As such there are two types of membership within USSA, direct campus membership and SSA membership. Membership for both SSAs and campuses happen in three easy steps:

1. Contact the national office to notify them of your intent. You can reach USSA at: 202-640-6570 or ussa@usstudents.org
2. Obtain the support of your governing body through a resolution or motion, or have students on your campus vote through referenda stating their intent to join.
3. Secure the resources necessary and pay the dues for your respective institution. Membership dues for campuses are based on the population of that campus and are $.25/student. Membership dues for SSAs are 2.5% of their annual operating budget.

*USSA understands that different campuses and SSAs have very different situations, campuses and SSAs can petition the board to approve their membership at a discounted rate given special circumstances.