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You can generally apply your federal financial aid to cost of living, which can include sorority expenses. But it's really not a good idea to go into a lot of debt for sorority membership, if you can avoid it.

Each house handles their finances a little differently. You will receive some general information once the recruitment handbook is available, and each house will also give more specific information during recruitment itself (during house tours, generally).

My house includes some clothing in dues, but others are out of pocket. Events are included in dues. New member expenses are about $2k total for the first year. About $9k if you live in the house, and less than $2k for actives not living in the house. That's right now, of course. Housing expenses have been going up lately, so I don't know what it will be later. Add a few hundred if you feel the need to buy every single piece of merchandise available, or when you have a little sister, etc.

Being a new member in a sorority here will realistically cost you $1000-$1500/semester (not including t-shirts, most of which are optional). It's costly, but so was the traveling sports team or dance company you were in during high school amiright? Lol but joining a sisterhood can change your life, so don't let cost detour you. Ideally parents would pay the cost, but not every member in our Greek system has that privilege and many of us do work to pay our membership dues. Use your summer earnings if you have to, or maybe make an agreement with your parents to go 50/50, you can make it happen. Can't wait to see you find your home on bid day!!