DG ladies, help!

[IrishLake]

So, my baby sister recently pledged Delta Gamma after going through formal recruitment at Ohio U. She has absolutely loved her experience so far. But now, she's stressing out majorly.

She has been informed that first quarter dues are due November 10th, and the amount is WAY over what she was expecting. She is heartbroken. She knows she cannot pay dues. We have a poor relationship with our dad, not to mention his new wife would not permit him to pay her dues. Our mom is financially strapped herself. Becca has some savings, but not enough to pay it all. She has a job on campus, but it again is not nearly enough.

I told Becca to expect high dues right off the bat, but she insisted someone told her first dues wouldn't be due until her second quarter. I was doubtful, and obviously rightly so. I've told her they will go down after the initial payment. She does not want to depledge. I've told her to ask about payment plans, asking for money for her birthday and christmas and going without any other gifts, and..... selling her car. My mom has offered to sell her car (which is sitting at home unused)... which would leave her without transportation to and from work when she goes home. I just don't know what else to tell her. My dues weren't as expensive, and my parents couldn't pay mine back then anyway, even if I had asked. I had a larger savings and was able to make it on my own. Becca is not in the same boat.

So are there any suggestions? Are there options if she can prove familial financial hardship? I've told her to talk to the Chapter Advisors, the finance chairperson, etc.

Well, I'm just venting a bit. I hope you all don't mind me crashing your forum!

[UHDEEGEE]

Have her check into the scholarships & loans offered by Delta Gamma. I'm not certain if pledges are eligible, but I had a $500 DG loan my senior year to pay my dues & fees. Back then (27 years ago, eek!) they were very easy to get if you could show reasonable need. Here is the link with the loan information: http://www.deltagamma.org/content.as...bers/loans.xml
I hope this helps and best of luck to her!

[Lil' Hannah]

She should definitely talk to the chapter's finance adviser and/or Advisory Team Chairman.

[anchoredlady]

Have her talk to the VP Finance to set up a payment plan. At my chapter, all members, including new members, had the option of filling out a promissory note and paying the payments in smaller amounts over the course of the entire semester. Although this may not completely remedy the situation, this may by her a little more time to find other sources of funding (loans, etc). I hope this helps! Please let me know if I can answer any more questions.

[angels&angles]

Sorry to crash, but at my school, Panhellenic had some scholarships as well, tell her to check to see if Ohio Panhellenic offers any scholarships.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I'm crashing, too.

Also, what is included in first semester dues? Is that just dues, or is it parlor fee, initiation fee, badge fee, etc.? If some of the money is going to HQ, some is going to the chapter, and some is going to the house corps, there may be different levels of flexibility therein. If she is having trouble with one-time up-front fees, she may be in a better situation than in she is going to have trouble with her financial obligations every semester.

[IrishLake]

I just thought I'd let you ladies know that DG will initiate Becca this weekend. A kind soul offered to help her with some of her first quarter costs, which has made the amount she has to pay more managable. She is so excited, she loves her Big, and is making her a paddle this weekend at a house sleepover. Thank you all so much for the suggestions and help!

[CutiePie2000]

Thank you for the update and the wonderful news!