Greek Membership-Related Finances
Below is a breakdown of the financial obligations of being part of a fraternity or sorority at Penn.
(**) Costs are charged by the University and appear on a student’s bill. All other fees and dues are handled by a member’s respective chapter or council.
Program Fee
What is it?
The program fee is an annual fee assessed to the student bursar bills of all new and current members of a fraternity or sorority. It supports programming, leadership opportunities, and resources for the entire Greek community at Penn. The amount of the program fee is determined by the Fraternity/Sorority Advisory Board (FSAB) every few years, and is currently set at $91.00. For new members initiated mid-semester, the first program fee is pro-rata charge of $45.50, and new members initiated at the end of a semester are exempt until the next full billing cycle. It is labeled by the detail code R529 (“Program Fee-Frat/Sorority”)
on a student’s bill.
When can I expect it to appear on my bill?
If you’re a new member of a fraternity or sorority, you can look out for the pro-rata charge a few weeks after your initiation. We need that time to verify the updated chapter rosters and carefully enter new individuals into the system. If you’re already a member, the program fee is typically charged at the end of June for the upcoming academic year.
Chapter Dues
What are chapter dues?
Chapter dues are charged to individual members of the chapter. Their amounts vary from chapter to chapter, since they are decided based on the individual chapter expenses and respective national organizations fees. Chapter officers collect these payments either in an online billing system or via deposits into the chapter bank account, from which the chapter pays expenses and individuals’ fees to the fraternity or sorority’s (inter)national organization.
When can I expect it to appear on my bill?
Chapter dues will not appear on student bills, since these are charged directly by the chapter/organization, and not by OFSL or the University of Pennsylvania. Students or families with specific questions about chapter dues should reach out to the Chapter President, Treasurer, or other chapter officer.
Council Dues
What are council dues?
Council dues are payments made to support Council-sponsored activities and operations. Like chapter dues, these transactions are handled directly by the council, and not charged to student accounts by OFSL or the University of Pennsylvania. The way that the dues are charged will vary depending on the council, so students or families with specific questions should reach out to their council leadership.
Out-of-House Member Fee
What is it?
Chapters that currently occupy a University-owned chapter house include an Out-of-House Member Fee for non-residents. Non-resident members of the chapter who are studying abroad are exempt from the Out-of-House Member Fee for any semester they are abroad.
The Out-of-House Member Fee ranges based on the size of the chapter and is assessed to the non-residential members of fraternities and sororities to support the operational needs of the Chapter House. Though the students are not necessarily residents of the property, the Chapter House is a physical manifestation and visible representation of the Chapter on campus. The house is used by all members formally and informally and, is the responsibility of every member of the Chapter.
The Out-of-House Member Fee supports the housing budget, helps keep resident rates down, and – for some chapters – applies to the general liability insurance fees from the chapter’s (Inter)National HQ. During annual Budget Meetings, the Out-of-House Member Fee is discussed.
Which chapters have an Out-of-House Member Fee?
Only fraternities and sororities with an officially-recognized, University-owned chapter house.
Chapter Housing Costs
How is chapter house rent assessed?
Chapter house rent is charged to all University-owned chapter house residents on a semesterly basis, and is calculated for each fiscal year by a combination of the base rent charge, the tenant services cost (maintenance and operation of the facility), and insurance. Each chapter house will have differing room sizes, occupancy numbers, insurance rates, and operational costs, so rent rates will vary between chapters and rooms.
What is the damage security deposit? Is it refunded at the end of the year?
Damage security deposits are billed to the student accounts for all residents who live in a University-owned chapter house, and covers any potential damages and/or fees incurred during the semester or year. It is charged in the summer prior to move-in, and, if applicable, is refunded to the student during the summer following move-out.
The deposit refunds are assessed as follows: After move-out inspections have been completed, Campus Apartments submits a summary to Penn’s Facilities & Real Estate Services and OFSL of chapter house damage costs for all bedrooms and common areas. Individual room charges are assessed to the assigned individual resident(s) of the room, followed by common area damage charges, which are divided evenly among all residents of the chapter house.
Collectively, the deposits are used to reconcile damages, repairs, unpaid key charges, or fees associated with the resident’s housing stay (including community area damages split among the residents). Once damages and costs are finalized and deducted from the housing deposit, the student’s university account will be credited the remaining amount. Checks are not issued. This process takes time and is anticipated to be complete by July 31 each year, but no earlier than June 18 (subject to change).
FAQs
A security deposit is an amount of money held for the duration of a resident’s length of occupancy & can be used to reconcile items such as bedroom damages, unpaid key charges, community area damages split among residents, and fees associated with the resident’s housing (such as unpaid move-out extension fees).
A security deposit ensures the correct person is held accountable. If a security deposit does not exist, damage amounts are sent to the chapter. In some cases, the chapter could face difficulty recouping the finances from the former resident, especially if the resident graduated or terminated their membership with the chapter.
Bedrooms are inspected before a resident moves-in and after a resident moves-out. Common areas are inspected before the chapter house opens in August, during regular inspections throughout the academic year, and when all residents have moved-out in May.
If a resident observes a damage condition to their assigned bedroom when they move-in, they must report the damage condition via the online work order system immediately upon move-in so the condition is time-stamped, and Campus Apartments can inspect and repair as needed.
The (former) resident needs to email Jo Ann Nasino (jonasino@upenn.edu) and the OFSL general email (vpul-ofsl@pobox.upenn.edu) account. Please include your full name, chapter house, room assignment, and PennID. We will work with Campus Apartments, Penn Facilities, and any relevant campus partners to review.
Billing questions or issues?
Be sure to include the following in your message:
- Your name and 8-digit Penn ID number
- Your fraternity/sorority chapter of membership (current or former)
- The amount of the charge(s)
- Whether or not you currently live in the chapter house for your organization (if applicable)
- For non-members only, whether or not you have ever attended a fraternity or sorority recruitment event or process