Sorority and Fraternity Costs

[WhiteDaisy128]

Sorority dues at NCSU range from $400 a semester to $1200 a semester. The average is around $700. Those DO NOT include rent for houses. Our houses are all owned by the University so we pay housing costs to University Housing. We vote on dues each semester so they go up and down a little each semester.

New member dues are always more expensive...but it's only for a year and it's SOOO worth it.

Good luck in making your decisons.

[reverie]

I have a quick question about dues:

Will each chapter specify if everything is included in dues or do some say their dues are less and then forget to tell you that's because it doesn't include shirts and formals?

Thanks!

[PenguinTrax]

Dues should be spelled out during Recruitment - they are required to disclose all costs. T-shirts, etc. are usually extras and not part of dues. When in doubt - ask!

[Bama_Alumna]

Dues should be spelled out during Recruitment - they are required to disclose all costs. T-shirts, etc. are usually extras and not part of dues. When in doubt - ask!

Just a word of warning: The above advice may be good at some schools, but not at Alabama. An "average" cost is given out with the recruitment information that Panhellenic sends out to all PNM's. I don't think that any chapter gives out specifics during the recruitment process. Furthermore, a PNM who inquires too much about financial aspects during recruitment--unless the chapter is well aware of her family's financial background-- is more likely to be cut because the chapter may fear that she would drop out due to financial reasons. It might not be fair, but it is true. I think that most actives reason that PNMs have been given estimates from Panhellenic and that if you know you can afford those numbers, you can afford any house. So, if you are going to Bama or a similar school, look CAREFULLY at those numbers you get from Panhellenic and use those as a guide. And don't bring up finances unless the actives bring it up first!

[AUDeltaGam]

For the new member semester, our dues are $600 and every semester afterwards is about $400.

[chideltjen]

I'm not saying you are going to attend CSUS, but here's what our Panhellenic website says:

"How much does it cost to be a member of a social fraternity or sorority?
Given the benefits provided, Greek membership is a bargain. However, students should consider the costs in planning their personal budgets. Chapter dues can range between $100 and $400 a semester. Every organization has their own budget and believe that members should not be excluded for financial reasons. First, you should ask each sorority about costs and then work with the organization to work our a payment plan. In most cases, the sorority can hold a fundraiser or help you find a job to help alleviate these costs. Bottom line- money should not be an issue in your decision to join."

I'm in a local, but our new member dues are a little over $200. Basically it pays for shirts, some of the gifts, pins, budgets for events, etc. Members pay around $150. HOWEVER, we can pay an arm and a leg for formal, which isn't covered in dues. But formal is optional so whether you pay that is up to you. Other misc. fees include t-shirts not already covered by dues, IM sport fees (I don't know if there are any, but just in case), costumes/outfits for recruitment/Greek Week/Skits/etc... and so on.

[ztabchbum]

ZTA at Stetson will tell you exactly what gets paid out of your dues and what is considered extra costs during formal recruitment.

[PenguinTrax]

Originally posted by Bama_Alumna
Just a word of warning: The above advice may be good at some schools, but not at Alabama. An "average" cost is given out with the recruitment information that Panhellenic sends out to all PNM's. I don't think that any chapter gives out specifics during the recruitment process. Furthermore, a PNM who inquires too much about financial aspects during recruitment--unless the chapter is well aware of her family's financial background-- is more likely to be cut because the chapter may fear that she would drop out due to financial reasons. It might not be fair, but it is true. I think that most actives reason that PNMs have been given estimates from Panhellenic and that if you know you can afford those numbers, you can afford any house. So, if you are going to Bama or a similar school, look CAREFULLY at those numbers you get from Panhellenic and use those as a guide. And don't bring up finances unless the actives bring it up first!

I probably need to check the Green Book, but I believe that NPC regs state that actual costs must be disclosed during Recruitment, prior to Preference. At FSU, this usually happens during the first or second invitational round. Actual costs are also published on the FSU Greek Life site.

[thermobryan]

Simple breakdown...I payed around 700/yr to be a pike at my school...Got a $80,000yr job out of school cause of a pike hookup, now thats a pay off...

[hannahgirl]

Originally posted by AUDeltaGam
For the new member semester, our dues are $600 and every semester afterwards is about $400.

Ours are about the same at Akron. I think that I paid about $340 a year after my first year.

The benefits definately outweigh any negatives. I know from my experience, I recieved a scholarship from our local fund every year after I pledged (one year in which I had a full ride) and also recieved a national scholarship for my last 2 years. So basically everything that I paid to be in DG has come right back to me and then some.

So if cost ever becomes an issue.....make sure you check into all of our resources before giving up on being a member of an organization.

[HappyGoLucky]

WOW, I have heard that avergage costs at UF are about 1500 for new members first semester and 1300 second semester, so about 2800 a year...maybe I'm mistaken.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by HappyGoLucky
WOW, I have heard that avergage costs at UF are about 1500 for new members first semester and 1300 second semester, so about 2800 a year...maybe I'm mistaken.

Most likely, that includes room, board, food, parking, membership costs. If you break down a figure like that -- especially if you break it down into months, it really isn't bad.

[oceanphi01]

New member dues for us here at Florida Tech are about $400, and I think that includes the parlor fees for the house that semester. In the fall the sisters pay about $200 in dues and $70 in parlor fees and in the spring we pay $150 in dues and $100 in parlor fees. Cheapest NPC on campus though....even with the house. Although I'm not sure how all this will change with Phi Sigma Sigma coming on this fall.

[KSUViolet06]

As a new member I'll pay about $650. After that it drops down considerably to about $350. These are different if you live in the house, and will change once our new house is complete. Our dues include extras like shirts, formals, etc.

ETA: Our Recruitment VP gives out a paper w/ the breakdown of dues during COB and actually explains everything to the rushees. During Formal Recruitment, ALL sororities are required to discuss costs (and give an estimate) of their group briefly during 3rd round house tours.

[A Random DphiE]

during the 3rd night of recruitment, all chapters on my campus are REQUIRED to post the breakdown of thier dues for all the pnm's to see...

my chapter dues are relatively low (from what i've seen posted) $250 a semester, $35 summer, formal, date dash, & shirts excluded.

(we might be getting a suite in the next year or two, so our dues might go up significantly... too bad i won't be an active to pay it! )

editted to add:

our new member dues/fees are $185 (sister badge)+ $90 (initiation fees)