How did/do you afford fees?
 

After a long talk with my parents, we have come to the decision that if I make it into a sorority, I will be financially responisble. Is it possible to fund between 3900- 6000 dollars per year yourself with only a part time job?!

Thanks!

It depends. The summer internships I had paid over 10K alone.

-Rudey

It depends on where you decide to work, how much you get paid, and how many hours per week you work.

If your parents pick up the tab on everything else, I would say it could definitely be possible. Most part-timers make at least that much if not more per year.

Personally, I was able to make it possible to pay my rent, my dues (which averaged out to about $900/year-round) and everything else with the exception of tuition on my part time salary.. but I had to work 25-35 hours a week in order to do it. I've also had friends who work as servers in restaurants that work maybe 20 hours a week and make the same, if not more, than what I pulled in, so like I said, it really depends on where you work, what you get paid, and how much you work.

If you do join a sorority and get a job to help fund your dues, don't forget to find time to study.. because after all, that's what we're in college for :)

Re: How did/do you afford fees?
 

That's only 2450-3000 per semester if you want to think of it that way. Does that cover your rent? Could you not get your parents to chip in to cover your rent at the sorority house and maybe you pick up the dues part?

The overall "deal" you get will include a lot -- food, room, entertainment. It's plenty of bang for your buck.

But be realistic about it. If you can't afford it, look for alternatives. When you go through rush, make a point of finding out exactly what everything costs.

Some chapters provide money to members who need financial help. PM me for more details...

Re: How did/do you afford fees?
 

Possibly.

It would all be a combination of how much you're getting paid and how many hours you're working. And like Rudey said, a summer job can go a long way to paying the bills since you can work more hours during the summer. That dollar amount is not as large as it seems. 20 hours a week @ $6/hr for 9 months would get you slightly more than the minimum you quote. You can make significantly more than that waiting on tables or something and in the summer you would make more than that as well. But, how many hours would you be able to work per week?

The chapter I support doesn't collect it all at once either. There's usually one payment in the beginning of the semester and one more toward the middle.

One thing to consider are on-campus jobs. Some of these pay between $7-10/hour and many are flexible with regards to your class schedule. Depending on where you work, there is also the potential to work over breaks to help make more money.

And, as OleMissGlitter pointed out, many groups have scholarships and/or financial assistance for their members. As long as you are honest with them and making a good effort at paying everything on time, most will work with you in regards to setting up a payment plan or system.

That is exactly how I did it! Working on campus paid my monthly dues and working full time over the summer at a higher paying job paid the bigger expenses like rent and other stuff!

ETA: My chapter had payment plans also and ADPi offers need based scholarships and emergency grants when in need! My chapter's local alumnae association even has a grant that helps a deserving sister each year!

Amen to the chapters that have payment plans.....that helps out alot. I had to fund my sorority fees myself as well, but it was worth it. At times I had 2 jobs, and schoolwork too----but everything worked itself out for me. I'm sure it will for you. It will if you work hard for it.

From the University of Kentucky's Sorority Recruitment Information handbook.

Financial Requirements

Though joining a Greek organization does carry a financial commitment, that commitment is typically less than what a student would spend on housing, food and entertainment as a nonmember. For example, UK residence halls cost $2418 for rent (including $825 for food) each semester. Using a conservative estimate of $500 for entertainment brings the total semester cost to $2918. The average cost per semester of sorority membership, including dues, rent and food ranges from $1900 to $2840. Both of those numbers assume the student is living in the fraternity or sorority house. If rent and food are not included, the sorority cost ranges from $460 to $700. The first semester is usually more expensive than the second because of one time initiation costs. You can expect between $525 and $990 during your first semester of membership which would include one chapter meal a week.

My chapter had payment plans when I was there. Our dues were much less though but I guess it all balances out if you count your rent/house fee in that amount. Also most sisters worked in college. It is all about priorities and managing your time appropriately. It can be done. The sisters who were in financial trouble at the time, who couldn't pay their dues, were the same sisters who had money to buy new outfits at least once a week or more, and go out 5-6 nites a week, so again, it is manageable and it is all about priorities. Being a member of a sorority teaches you financial responsibility, as well as helping you learn to say "no" when you need to put school and work responsibilities ahead of "play". Working in the summer, as mentioned, is a good way to stash away cash. Also if you look for a job where you can also bring your schoolwork and make $$$ at the same time, that can take stress off of you. Good luck!!!!

Thanks for all the helpful replies!
They were just what I wanted to hear. I am aiming to get an on campus job anyway, as I am only allowed to get that as I am on scholarship.

You might ask, why, if I'm on a scholarship will my parents not pay? Well I think they want me to be responsible, and it adds up to alot when you add fees to plane flights to england, health insurance for the USA, and minor costs, like buying ALL electricals for an american plug!

I feel very optimistic now, because I will be attending USC, CA, and the dues there seem very pricey, ranging from 1300- 2100 for one semester, live out!

We had a payment plan, but it was only available (per national rules, not our bylaws) to initiated members--which meant that the new member fees and first semester dues had to be paid in full.

I paid for my dues through my summer earnings and being an RA--but then, my dues were only 250/semester.

If the money is such a major concern, perhaps it's best to sit this year out once you know a little more about what your financial situation is like.

Before you get a job, there are all kinds of rules and regulations for foriegn students. You may want to look into those.

Good luck, and enjoy the USA.

Keep in mind that the dues for your first semester will be higher than for subsequent semesters. Dues for the new member semester include a lot of one-time fees, such as initiation fees and badge fees.

If the fees you're quoting include housing or parlor fees, maybe your parents would be willing to chip in for the housing/parlor fee portion - on the grounds that you will have to pay for housing and food whether you're living in a sorority house or not.

I did summer internships each year, and some of my earnings went toward my sorority dues. It helped that we didn't have a house.

In order to pay everything, I worked one job steady during my freshman year and then picked up another that summer. After that, I got smart and found a student assistant job on campus that I kept for two years while I also worked at the other job a couple days a week. I then got a full time job over the summer to get ahead and pay off my dues and rent for the whole next year.

My parents were very supportive and paid for my tuition, but I paid for everything else...books, car payment and insurance, cell phone, credit cards, rent, dues, etc. So it taught me a lot of time management by working two jobs and also being heavily involved on campus. I don't think that I would've changed a thing though!

How I paid dues:

I was on scholarship and financial aid. My parents were not a part of my college finances. I also worked yearround at various parttime jobs and had a small savings. Through this combination of scholarships, student loans and jobs, I was able to pay for all of my college expenses, including my sorority.

Your first semester of membership will include a one-time new member fee. After that, your dues are less.

Also, living in and being on a meal plan are the most cost-effective in terms of living on campus. Comparitively, it is more often than not a big bargain to be a live-in and eat on the sorority meal plan than to live in the dorms with a campus meal plan, or to live off campus and cook for yourself.

Sororities have payment plans, and the chapter treasurer will work with you to develop one that suits your best interests, if conventional payment plans don't work. I believe now that some groups are allowing you to pay dues by credit card, as well, which is an option if you don't have the cash upfront.

Good luck! Make sure to look carefully at the sororities' dues during recruitment and see which ones are the most realistic for your budget. Ask questions about dues at the sororities, and call USC's office of Greek Life prior to recruitment with any specific questions you may have. (One suggestion: at a recruitment party, don't make a face and exclaim, "Oh I can't afford your dues" or "Oh this is going to be too expensive. Oh well, see ya." Just be gracious and smile and keep your options open, and assure your recruiter that yes, she has explained the chapter dues very well and you understand the financial responsibilities of membership. That's all. No need to give any outward hints you may cut the house because of dues; you may find out that night that you are getting a cash bonus from some source; ie: mom changed her mind, perhaps!, and it is a possibility!)

We don't have sorority houses... so I only pay around 300 in dues a semester.

I have an on campus job, and I make plenty more than the 600ish I need per year for dues, so it's not a problem.

My parents never went greek, so they consider me in responsible of paying dues myself.

I was the first one in my Family to go to College. Needless to say, I was the First one to join a Greek Organization.

In My first College, I washed and waxed Dorms for 55. per Hour.

Remember, this was the good old days when Colleges were not so expensive.

After My first College, I was an out of state student, but with the Summer Job I had, I paid for all of my costs. Not today!:(

So, today, all of the Actives including Those that live in town work Part Time Jobs to pay for things, Like Joining a GLO!

As was said before, The First Sem is the most expensive.

Then, it evens out.

But One Thing To Remember, is what are you working for?

1 st is Graduation.

2 nd is Other Things such as GLO!

But the thing to remember is what it will teach to you do after being in a GLO in the After Life of Graduation.:)

It will be tuff, so you and anyother have to make the final decision.

Many Trade Offs, when it comes to a decision.:)

In my book, Being a Member of a GLO is worth the work when it comes to Life after School. You may have to sacrifice.

What do each of you want to do?

You are the only ones each who have to make the decision!

My Vote, Go Greek, Cut Back and Be someone who will go on in life!:cool:

How willing are your parents to help you? At least with my sorority, most of the expenses are due to living in the house and eating on their meal plan. My parents do not like or support the Greek system, however they told me that they will ONLY pay the living expenses. I am responsible for dues and any other Alpha Chi paraphernalia I may want (Tshirts, ect) or any special things I do with my chapter. That significantly decreases the amount of money I spend. If your parents are going to help you with housing costs, emphasize that you are going to be living in the sorority and that much of the money you may owe the chapter goes to providing a roof over your head, a place to sleep, and good food to eat.

If they are not willing to help this way, would you be able to live out of house? Then you would only have to pay dues and maybe an out of house fee (if your chapter has one) to cover the costs of you coming over and using the house's facilities whenever you want.

I know someone suggested getting an on-campus job, but in my experinece, you will make more money working off campus if that is possible. All student jobs on my campus make minimum wage and are only availbale to work-study students (except under circumstances where prerequisites make it difficult to find a qualified work-study student). You can make pretty good money as a waitress. Working only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I would pull in around $200 each week. When I worked on campus, I'd be lucky to make that in a month.

I'm sure if you find a chapter you love, they will be willing to work with your situation. Good luck and enjoy recruitment!
:cool:

Yugos
 

If the cheapest were the best, we'd all be drivin' Yugos