FAQs for Faculty
Answers to frequently asked questions ("FAQs") about the MSDN Academic Alliance program.
- What is the MSDN Academic Alliance?
- What are the benefits of joining the program?
- Who may join the program?
- What is an "appropriate" department? Certain named departments?
- How long does a membership in this program last?
- Does our membership expire in June or December regardless of when we join?
- How do we join the MSDN Academic Alliance?
- How do we pay for the membership?
- Do we have to pay tax on this program?
- Is the MSDN Academic Alliance available internationally?
- Is the membership being sold directly by Microsoft or through resellers?
- Can we install the MSDNAA software on the lab computers and allow it to be used by the students from the other departments?
- Can departments teaching disciplines other than Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) sign up for Developer AA?
- Can departments teaching disciplines other than Visualization, Illustration, Design, and Art (VIDA) sign up for Designer AA?
- If we sign our departments up for MSDNAA, will this cover all students at our universities?
- If students get software through MSDNAA, do they have unlimited usage of the software?
- Can we install the OS on a naked machine?
- Can students keep these tools after they graduate?
- In one class, students used MSDNAA tools to create a product that is so good they plan to sell it. Can products made with MSDNAA software be sold commercially?
- Where can we ask questions about the MSDNAA EULA?
Q. What is the MSDN Academic Alliance?
A. The MSDN Academic Alliance (MSDNAA) is a program offering annual memberships for academic departments. The program has two primary goals:
- To make it easier and less expensive for you to obtain Microsoft developer tools, platforms, and servers for instructional and research purposes
- To build a community of instructors who can share curriculum and other learning resources to support the use of these technologies.
Developer AA membership is designed to address the needs of academic departments teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Designer AA is a membership designed around the Microsoft Expression 2 Suite intended to meet the needs of academic departments teaching Visualization, Illustration, Design, and Art (VIDA) disciplines.
As a member, a department receives an MSDNAA subscription that includes Microsoft platform, servers, and developer tools software. This software may be installed on any number of departmental lab machines. The software must be used for instructional and research purposes, it may not be used to run the infrastructure of the department. In addition, the department's faculty and students may check-out or download the software to install on their personal computers.
Q.What are the benefits of joining the program?
A. As a member, a department may install the MSDNAA software on its labs, and its faculty and students may install the software on their personal computers. However, the MSDN Academic Alliance is much more than simply a software subscription. The membership includes a wide range of benefits:
- MSDN Academic Alliance software subscription that includes Microsoft platform, server, and developer tools software as well as betas, new releases, and tech support
- Special license rights allowing a department to install MSDNAA software on any number of departmental lab machines for instructional and research purposes only
- The ability for students taking at least one credit course offered by the member department to install the software on their personal machines for use in coursework and personal development projects
- A community Web site that features a wide range of resources for faculty teaching Computer Science, Engineering, and Information Systems courses
- MSDN Subscriber Downloads where instant online access to all MSDNAA content is available (*)
- No-charge access to e-academy's License Management System (ELMS) for automated distribution of software and product keys to eligible users via the Web (*)
- Tutorials, code samples, projects, white papers with an academic focus, case studies, and other content that is appropriate and useful for faculty members
- Monitored newsgroups for faculty to communicate and collaborate with one another
- Potential discounts and third-party offers tailored specifically for faculty and students
- Chats with our Product Support Services technicians on various technologies
- Microsoft-hosted Codeplex and Code Gallery resources where faculty can share and collaborate on projects
* Not applicable to High School AA Memberships, which are delivered as a one-time fulfillment.
Q. Who may join the program?
A. Eligibility for the MSDN Academic Alliance Program is as follows:
In The United States:
Membership in the MSDN Academic Alliance program is accepted on a per-department basis, rather than school-wide. It is available to appropriate departments within accredited academic institutions, including four-year universities, two-year colleges, technical schools, and high schools. Additionally, high schools can apply for the MSDN Academic Alliance High School program on a school-wide basis; please visit the High School AA page for additional information.
In Canada:
Membership in the MSDN Academic Alliance program is available to degree and/or diploma granting departments in higher education institutions (colleges and universities). Only Computer Science and Computer Engineering departments will be automatically approved by the fulfillment team. Applications for all other departments are forwarded to Microsoft Canada for approval. Continuing Studies departments and High Schools are not eligible for full membership; however high schools are eligible for the MSDN Academic Alliance High School Membership; please visit the High School AA page for additional information.
All Other Countries/Regions:
Academic institutions located outside of the U.S. may refer to local Customer Service Centers or Web sites for membership criteria.
Q. What is an "appropriate" department? Certain named departments?
A. No, the MSDN Academic Alliance is not limited to departments with certain names. In today's world, courses that use the resources provided by this program are offered in a wide range of departments. For a Developer AA membership, an "appropriate" department would be a department that teaches Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Systems-oriented courses. For a Designer AA membership, an “appropriate” department would be a department that teaches Graphic Design, Art, or Illustration-oriented courses.
Q. How long does a membership in this program last?
A. One-year and three-year subscription options are available for Developer AA and Designer AA members. (High School AA is a one-time fulfillment program.) There are two membership periods offered each year. January through December and July through June are the two periods available. Your membership period will be automatically selected when you register and will depend upon the date of registration. Applications received within three months before or after the start of any given period will automatically be assigned to that membership period. If you are located in Japan, your membership period is April through March.
Q. Does our membership expire in June or December regardless of when we join?
A. If you are participating in the MSDNAA Membership program, your membership will expire at the end of the applicable membership period regardless of when you joined. However, because of the way the membership cycles are set, the shortest period of time for any membership is nine months. We put you into the membership period that is within three months of when you join, so you can actually get as many as 15 months, but no less than 9 months of membership. For example, if you join in October, we'll put you in January-December period and you will have a 15 month membership. If you join in September, we'll put you in the July-June period and you will have a 9 month membership. Regardless of the length of membership, though, you will receive all the benefits and software for the full membership period.
High Schools participating in the MSDNAA High School Membership are not bound to a specific term and may continue distributing the developer tools for which they are licensed on an ongoing basis.
Q. How do we join the MSDN Academic Alliance?
A. Please register for Developer AA or Designer AA by filling out a simple application form. Links to the registration site can also be found on many of the local MSDNAA Web sites.
Q. How do we pay for the membership?
A. In the U.S. and Canada, you may use either a Purchase Order from your institution or a credit card. Please refer to the registration Web site for payment options outside of North America.
Q. Do we have to pay tax on this program?
A. It depends on the regulations for your state, province, or institution. We abide by these guidelines in determining whether sales tax is applicable:
United States: Where allowable, the membership will be exempt from sales tax, provided a valid tax-exempt document is received with your application. Please note that some states do not allow sales tax exemptions for educational institutions. In these states, applicable sales tax will be added to your invoice.
Canada: All applicable Canadian taxes will apply to your membership and will be added to your invoice.
Outside North America: Please refer to the registration Web site or your local program site for more details.
Q. Is the MSDN Academic Alliance available internationally?
A. Yes, this program is available in numerous locales around the world, including the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. You may join by clicking the register link located at the MSDN Academic Alliance site.
Customers outside North America should contact their local regional office to obtain more information and to apply for the program.
Q. Is the membership being sold directly by Microsoft or through resellers?
A. In North America, the membership is a direct relationship with Microsoft and may not be purchased through resellers. In other parts of the world, you should review the local Web site or contact the local subsidiary or reseller for purchasing options.
Q. Our computer lab is used by students from several departments. Can we install the MSDNAA software on the lab computers and allow it to be used by the students from the other departments?
A. Yes, one of the goals of the MSDNAA program is to make the software available for students to experiment with in a laboratory setting. Even if a member department shares a lab with another department, the software may be installed on lab computers and made accessible to any student wishing to use the computers. Be aware that member departments do not have the legal right to install the software on lab computers not affiliated with the member department. Additionally, the only students who would have the right to install the program software on their personal computers are those who are taking at least one credit class in the member department.
Q. Can departments teaching disciplines other than Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) sign up for Developer AA?
A. No, only departments teaching STEM disciplines are eligible for Developer AA.
Q. Can departments teaching disciplines other than Visualization, Illustration, Design, and Art (VIDA) sign up for Designer AA?
A. No, only departments teaching VIDA disciplines are eligible for Designer AA.
Q. If we sign our departments up for MSDNAA, will this cover all students at our universities?
A. No, MSDNAA is sold by the department and intended for use by students taking classes in the department.
Q. If students get software through MSDNAA, do they have unlimited usage of the software?
A. No, MSDNAA software is intended for use in academic pursuits of STEM or VIDA disciplines: schoolwork, research, academic projects, and so on are all acceptable uses.
Q. Can we install the OS on a naked machine?
A. Yes, provided that you intend to use that machine and the tools given in accordance with the EULA (academic STEM, or VIDA usage with the appropriate subscription only).
Q. Can students keep these tools after they graduate?
A. Yes, this license is perpetual and nontransferable. You don’t have to uninstall the tools, but the stipulation of “academic use only” does not change.
Q. In one class, students used MSDNAA tools to create a product that is so good they plan to sell it. Can products made with MSDNAA software be sold commercially?
A. Yes, the only stipulation is the purchase of commercial licenses for all tools used in the creation of a new product prior to selling the product in a commercial situation.
Q. Where can we ask questions about the MSDNAA EULA?
A. Contact the MSDNAA Customer Service department at msdnaa@microsoft.com.