need advice..

[chicky3829]

Yes, I have considered all the different situations but there is just simply no way I can come up with the money - even over a period of time. I had a bunch of money in my college fund that I was going to use to pay for my sorority but, like I said, there were a bunch of different things that happened from a financial standpoint and that money was allotted to different things that ranked higher than the sorority. So, I definitely know I am going to have to drop out, especially since my parents said they can no longer help me pay for it. I also am going to have deal with possible apartment rent next year and I'll also need to use my money I save in the summer simply to buy food, gas and all that stuff during my sophomore year. Our sorority has a plan for people who can't pay it all at once but its not a matter of not being able to pay on time, it's simply there is absolutely no way I am going to be able to come up with that much money. Going into the sorority, I also had NO idea how much time you had to commit to it until after I initiated. Had I known how expensive it was going to be and how much time you had to commit, I probably would have reconsidered joining in the first place. During recruitment, my sorority outlined the dues as being roughly $450-500/semester but realistically, it is more around $800 a semester. There is just no way I can afford this =[

[KSUViolet06]

To be honesst with you, the sooner the better--in terms of when to drop out. I think that sticking around gives people the appearance that you're going to be around when you aren't.

If you and your Big are good friends, she probably won't stop being friends with you because you quit the sorority. She may ask you to return your lettered items though (depending on the chapter's policy).

[KappaKittyCat]

I'm sorry you've found yourself in this situation.

Your first stop should probably be the chapter's Treasurer and VP Standards or equivalent. If you haven't done this already, they can help you look into scholarship programs to cover dues. I know that my org has national and chapter-level scholarships to cover dues for women who can't afford to pay them. If you've exhausted all those options, then the best bet is just to be upfront with your big. Assure her that you adore her and that you are devastated about this (you sound that way, anyway), but that you have no other choice. If she's worth anything, she's not going to stop being your friend just because you can't afford to stay in your sorority.

Good luck.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by chicky3829

Yes, I have considered all the different situations but there is just simply no way I can come up with the money - even over a period of time. I had a bunch of money in my college fund that I was going to use to pay for my sorority but, like I said, there were a bunch of different things that happened from a financial standpoint and that money was allotted to different things that ranked higher than the sorority. So, I definitely know I am going to have to drop out, especially since my parents said they can no longer help me pay for it. I also am going to have deal with possible apartment rent next year and I'll also need to use my money I save in the summer simply to buy food, gas and all that stuff during my sophomore year. Our sorority has a plan for people who can't pay it all at once but its not a matter of not being able to pay on time, it's simply there is absolutely no way I am going to be able to come up with that much money. Going into the sorority, I also had NO idea how much time you had to commit to it until after I initiated. Had I known how expensive it was going to be and how much time you had to commit, I probably would have reconsidered joining in the first place. During recruitment, my sorority outlined the dues as being roughly $450-500/semester but realistically, it is more around $800 a semester. There is just no way I can afford this =[

Have you doubled checked that the dues are still $800? You mentioned you just joined, and usually the first semester is much more expensive for Initiation and other fees. I'd double check that you have the right amounts. Perhaps the budget changed but that is quite a large increase so it would be smart of any member to be aware of what that amount is paying for.