The financial obligations associated with membership in a fraternity or sorority in all four councils are important to understand. Student/member obligations may include:
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New Member fees: initiation, intake and process fees and general fees
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Annual membership fees: dues and fines to local chapter, national organization, and council
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Annual chapter Insurance fees
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Panhellenic and IFC Housing: Room and board (if required to live in a chapter facility), out of house usage fees
Each individual chapter and council sets and collects their own fees and dues. While looking into various organizations, be sure to ask about the associated costs which may not be published broadly.
Frequently asked questions regarind finances and housing can be found below.
Where to find financial Information by council
Interfraternity Council
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Coming Soon
Multicultural Greek Council
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For more information please contact the specific chapter. Please note that detailed information may not be available until an individual meets chapter specific requirements.
National Pan-Hellenic Council
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For more information please contact the specific chapter. Please note that detailed information may not be available until an individual meets chapter specific requirements.
Panhellenic Association
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For more information click here
Chapter Housing
Members of a fraternity or sorority living together is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Students may live in recognized chapter facilities or in rental houses or apartments. At Michigan, recognized chapter facilities are those owned or leased by a local alumni group or an inter/national organization. Most of these chapter houses are historic buildings that are often an important part of the tradition of the chapter. These facilities can hold up to 70 members and services vary by facility. They may offer meals, whether that is a personal chef or catering service, wifi, study spaces, lounging areas, and much more.
Housing options vary between each fraternity and sorority. The costs and live in requirements also vary. It is important to consider if a desired organization has a facility before signing a lease in case there is a live-in policy (see Housing FAQ’s below).
Financial FAQ’s
What is covered by chapter dues?
Dues typically cover local chapter, council and national fees for programming, leadership development. Dues may include all or only certain social activities.
What might I be fined for?
Chapters may fine members for various items such as missing mandatory meetings or events, conduct issues, and late payments.
Are there scholarships or payment plans available for participation in chapters.
Scholarships, financial aid, and payment plans may be from individual chapters but are not guaranteed.
What is a student obligated to pay for if he/she is no longer a member of an organization?
Generally students are obligated for anything that was due prior to the student officially notifying the organization of the desire to leave the organization. FSL recommends notification is done in writing with specific dates noted.
Who should questions regarding bill go to?
Questions about membership fees expenses or bills received should be directed to the specific organization. Depending on the type of expense the questions may be directed to the local chapter or to the inter/national organization.
Housing FAQ’s
Are students required to live in recognized chapter facilities?
Live in requirements vary by organization. Panhellenic sororities require that their recognized chapter facilities are full. This is an obligation of membership. Each sorority sets priorities that allow members to live out and requirements for who must live in depending on spaces available. Generally (but not always) newer members and officers live in until all spaces have been filled then other members may be granted permission to live out.
If a student wants to participate in winter recruitment or intake should they sign a lease in the fall?
Most students live in a chapter facility the year after they join. Therefore, do not sign a lease until live in requirements for the organization are determined. Organizations have taken the change in timing for recruitment into consideration when planning their lease signing and spaces will be available.
Where can a student get assistance with lease signing questions?
Student Legal Services is free to registered students and can answer questions.
What is there is not space available to live in a facility during the 2020-201 academic year?
If the event, space is not available there are resources through the Dean of Students Office/Office Campus Housing Office to assist students. University Housing has adapted their timeline so students may sign up for the housing lottery. Research has shown that that there is plenty of occupancy in January and February for off campus housing.
What does it cost to live in a fraternity or sorority chapter facility?
Here are links to cost for the Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council.
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Interfraternity Council - coming soon
Who oversees the day to day operations of recognized chapter facilities?
Chapter facilities are owned and operated either by a local alumni board or the inter/national headquarters. Room and board can be a bargain, averaging less than it costs to live in a double or single in a residence hall. Housing leases vary by chapter, and all contracts and issues are handled at the chapter level. Questions about housing finances and payments should be directed to the appropriate collegiate officer or alumni member.
Do financial aid packages cover housing in a fraternity or sorority recognized facility?
Financial aid often covers off campus housing cost but each package is different so what an aid package will cover should be verified. Sororities and fraternities are used to working with students whose rent is covered by financial aid.
When do leases begins?
Typically leases run the 8 months of the academic year but the date each facility opens vary. Please check the lease for exact dates.
Are recognized chapter facilities open during academic breaks?
Many facilities will close during academic breaks so it is important to check leases for exact dates.