When are dues typically paid?

[Hobby92]

I'll be attending a private school in the south next year, and am planning on rushing a fraternity. I was just wondering when, as a new member or active member, would i be paying dues? If rush is first semester, is it like you pay right after you accept a bid, or do you wait until the end of the first semester or whenever initiation is? When might that be? thanks

[sweetmagnolia]

Now, I'm in a sorority, so I may be ill-informed, but the fraternities my friends are in let them pay their dues at scheduled intervals (say like $100 at the beginning of each month), in a lump sum (all at once, preferably not on like the last day of the semester), or on a personal payment plan they set up with their VP of Finance (say $100 at the beginning of each month doesn't work with your financial situation, they will help you come up with more manageable installments).

[knight_shadow]

It depends on the fraternity. I don't believe there is a universal dues-paying standard.

[Hobby92]

i guess i'm wondering how early could a freshman pay for the first semester, is it more of a right after you accept the bid type of thing, or at the end of the semester? Like when will we usually know the dues owed?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Hobby92

i guess i'm wondering how early could a freshman pay for the first semester, is it more of a right after you accept the bid type of thing, or at the end of the semester? Like when will we usually know the dues owed?

As I said, it depends on the fraternity.

I could tell you what MY chapter of MY fraternity does, but that may not be the case at your school.

[Titchou]

Ask when you go thru rush.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Ask when you go thru rush.

I was going to suggest that, but I didn't know if the "OMG IF HE HAS TO ASK HE CAN'T PAY" stigma would be attached.

[Hobby92]

haha i've heard of that one before but no that's not a problem, more just curious.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Hobby92

haha i've heard of that one before but no that's not a problem, more just curious.

Oh, I wasn't saying that you couldn't pay. Some people may get that impression if you ask about financials.

[lucgreek]

Originally Posted by Hobby92

i guess i'm wondering how early could a freshman pay for the first semester, is it more of a right after you accept the bid type of thing, or at the end of the semester? Like when will we usually know the dues owed?

It varies by group. In my organization, you pay an induction fee once you start the process and then pay an initiation fee right after you are initiated. The reason you can't pay it all up front is we might induct you and the chapter may vote you out during the pledge process. A chapter in my organization should be able to tell you the total cost of new member dues during rush, before you accept your bid (provided you ask).

For other organizations, I have no idea.

[katydidKD]

Originally Posted by Hobby92

I'll be attending a private school in the south next year, and am planning on rushing a fraternity. I was just wondering when, as a new member or active member, would i be paying dues? If rush is first semester, is it like you pay right after you accept a bid, or do you wait until the end of the first semester or whenever initiation is? When might that be? thanks

I'm not sure how fraternity financials work since i'm in a sorority, but they hopefully give you some notice when they are due so you have time to get a check if you need to have it mailed in by a parent or something. It sounds like you aren't worried about being able to pay, but at least on my campus (so this could be different for you) most chapters have payment plans/can be flexible if you need more time

[DrPhil]

I strongly encourage the OP to not take seriously anything that has been typed in this thread other than "it varies by organization" (it isn't a matter of fraternity vs. sorority) and "talk to the specific chapters of the fraternities."

For instance, some chapters across the country offer payment plans because some sororities and fraternities offer payment plans. However, I would not say that most do, across councils and conferences. Across councils and conferences, many chapters on many campuses do not have payment plans and are not flexible because many GLOs do not have payment plans and are not flexible. Many GLOs, and therefore chapters, operate on the notion of it doesn't matter how you get the money together (i.e., you are your own payment plan when you gradually pay your bank account), just pay the money before the final deadline.

[HawaiiTKE]

For TKEs:


After you accept a bid you pay a fee for your pledge things (books, pins etc.)

Once you are initiated you pay an initation fee.

We pay national dues yearly along with insurance fees at the same time. (as an alternative to paying national dues annualy you can pay one lump sum that is relatively cheaper than paying dues each year in college. However you would just be required to pay insurance annually.)

We also have our chapter dues.


Just to get an idea. I'm pretty sure most national GLO's have some sort of similar format but it does VARY.