Can students on financial aid/scholarship afford a sorority?

[FlaGirl07]

Depending on your school, chapter size, and etc your dues will vary dramatically. For example, I attend FSU and my dues for my first semester were $2,550. We have a huge house, meals M-Th, and that includes our socials. I will echo what others have said and suggest that you see if the office of Greek Life at the college you plan on attending has any guideline figures they can give you.

[Army Wife'79]

My D is at a SEC school, does NOT live in a house (she shares an apt. with friends) and her dues are $700 a semester! This does not include any of the other stuff like t-shirts for every single dang funtion under the stars and rush clothing and outings.

[gee_ess]

Just to add - I think that in some chapters you are allowed to apply any room/board scholarship money to your sorority housebill (if living in house). Ask at the financial aide office about this to be sure, but I have seen it done.

Ditto to the above who state that the costs of sorority living vary greatly from campus to campus. Financial info is readily available to anyone who inquires at the Greek Life/Panhellenic office. This is what they are SUPPOSED to provide, so don't feel weird asking. And, you don't have to wait until recruitment to ask.

Like most financial goals in life (and I fear I sound like the parent I am) this one can be attainable with advance planning - which it sounds like you are doing! I commend you!

[SophieA]

Hi Everyone...and thanks so much for all your very interesting and detailed answers. You've really given me hope that it can be done! You're all so friendly. I look forward to checking back here often.

After reading your posts, I did locate a Greek life page on the school's website and it listed all the financials for the specific chapters' housing. From what I can see, it didn't detail dues, initiation fees, first-year fees, etc., but the PDF format brochure did say that info is posted during a special parent meeting that I believe is held before or during rush week. I can't imagine asking any potential sisters this information, even if they are in the same position as myself financially; it seems inappropriate? It said I could also call one of the school's Panhellenic officers.

Again, you've all given me hope with your work responsibilities as well as your academic and chapter commitments! I do well academically and my college counselor told me there's a high degree of likelihood I'll be eligible for merit scholarships. I hope this will help defray the extra cost for sorority life as well. Thanks again for your friendly welcome to the forum

[fantASTic]

I know that we are always taught not to talk about money...but you NEED to ask. We expect that from potentials. If they don't ask, we'll often bring it up so that they're aware of their financial responsibilities. So don't be afraid to ask!

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I know that we are always taught not to talk about money...but you NEED to ask. We expect that from potentials. If they don't ask, we'll often bring it up so that they're aware of their financial responsibilities. So don't be afraid to ask!

I think this really depends on the campus and the Greek system. At a large, competitive school where the parties are hectic and busy, financial discussions are not the norm. Members do not always expect this type of question from PNM's in that setting. However, the info is available on the Greeklife website, etc which I definitley think she should pursue.

[AXiDTrish]

There are some schools were asking about money may not be the norm, but on the flip side there are some campus Panhellenics that require posters on the wall during recruitment that show how much dues are. The sisters are required to show the poster to the potential new member (PNM's = You!)so they know what they are getting into. If you don't feel comfortable asking about money directly, ask the Greek Life contact how they communicate fee's to PNM's during recruitment. Thatt way you won't cross any unwritten lines that you or the sororities may feel are there. Good Luck!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I know that we are always taught not to talk about money...but you NEED to ask. We expect that from potentials. If they don't ask, we'll often bring it up so that they're aware of their financial responsibilities. So don't be afraid to ask!

Actives shouldn't talk about money as in asking what the PNM's father does for a living or flaunting her own wealth. Conversation about dues is acceptable and expected.

[Thetagirl218]

My personal experience: My family could not afford to pay my way through college, and I didn't qualify for need-based aid. While my parents helped me as much as they could, I have always been on some sort of scholarship and loan or both! I also always worked at least 15-25 hours a week to help pay for both my living costs and dues. While my sorority did offer a payment plan, I found that budgeting was the answer to most of my financial problems.

As a previous poster said, it may take some small monetary sacrifice in the long term, such as $20 bucks on the weekend, and not shopping for a bit so you can afford that nice, beautiful expensive formal dress that you know you date will fall head over heels for!

Also please take all these post about dues amounts that other have paid with a grain of salt. Because we don't know what school you are thinking about going to, and because sororities change their dues all the time, it is pretty much impossible to give you an exact amount.

Also be aware that this amount will change depending on if the chapter has a house or not, if they are exclusive or inclusive on expenses, and a wealth of other items.

If you have any other questions I might help with, feel free to shoot me a message!

[KSUViolet06]

Generally, your first semester is more expensive because of your new member, initiation, and badge fees. Specific costs vary greatly by school and chapter.

[AXiDTrish]

Despite the budgeting, foregoing the expensive pruchases, and/or $20 weekends (I had them too), I can guarentee you that being in a sorority was worth every extra hour I worked or every packet of ramen noodles I ate! I wouldn't change a thing (and it's 10 years later!).

If I may get a little sappy....I actually had a conversation with a new member tonight about dues. My final comment to her was, do you feel the sorority experiences are worth the dues you are going to pay. She rattled off the events she was going to participate in over the next few weeks (Greek Week, Big Sis Discovery, formal, etc) and then she looked at the girls standing with us and she said yes, it would absolutely be worth it.

You may need to get creative, you may need to make a sacrifice, but it's all worth it. (Ok, done being sappy)

[flirt5721]

I was on financial aid and worked about 20 hours or more a week (workstudy). I was able to afford my due and still have extra cash. But I was lucky enough to have Mom live in the same city as the university I went to so starving wasn't that bad for me. I always paid my dues in full when I got my financial aid. At the end of the semester I would probably owe about $10-20 because of T-shirts and stuff.

Some chapter also have payment plans that can help you out even more. I know that we had an option of paying in 4 month or it could be extended to (I think) 6 months. I would just depend on what you and the financial person in the sorority that you might join can come up with.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I wonder why you thought it wasn't appropriate to ask financial questions. It's definitely an appropriate question to ask during recruitment, so when your time comes, don't be shy.

i can see the OP's apprehension. it's kind of like asking about salary when you interview. you arent really sure when to ask about it - ask too soon, and youre money hungry. ask too late you may have wasted time interviewing for money you wouldnt work for.

and apples to oranges, but we (a general NPHC we, ok, an SGRho we) dont tell interests anything about dues until its time. They can ask all they want, and at best, they will expect the same as mentioned here: first year's dues are the most b/c of initiation and then a fixed amount yearly, then it varies on the chapter.

quoting numbers is never a good idea - again like an interview, if/when mentioned too soon, it can shape the PNM/interest's opinion in approaching greek life. its one thing to be realistic re: money, but really if it's what you want, you make it happen. take up another job, save up some $, get a payment plan... but its not like they can say "omg i didnt know!"

p.s. WTF? some of yall get meals?! sheesh, must be nice.

[bamagirl09]

I wouldn't ask at my school. Most houses would be offended if you asked and have an "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" attitude. Probably not the way it should be, but that's the way it is.

[couggirl]

Not a answer to the question but, one of the ways that I saved some money in college (saving money could = having money to spend on other things like sororitie dues) was to work in the bookstore for the week before classes started and the first week of classes. I made money to pay for my books plus I got them cheaper than other people due to the 30% discount.

Also, if you are a junior now why not look for a part time job or at least a summer job and put the money you make in the bank and save it for your sorority fund, ie don't spend it on other things. I am sure that you could probably earn enough money in one summer to pay for at least your most expensive first year dues. Just a thought.