How did/do you afford fees?

[aephi alum]

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.

[hannahgirl]

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!

[adpiucf]

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!)

[Shima-Mizu]

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.

[Tom Earp]

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!

[AXOhottie]

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!

[Erik P Conard]

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