# Greek Life in College: Costs, Time, and How Recruitment Works

> Joining a college fraternity or sorority requires significant financial and time commitments. Learn how dues, hidden fees, housing agreements, and recruitment processes impact your budget and academic schedule.

- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/blog/greek-life-in-college-costs-time-and-how-recruitment-works
- Category: Campus Life
- Author: CollegesRef Editorial
- Published: 2026-11-14

Joining a college fraternity or sorority requires an upfront financial commitment of several hundred to thousands of dollars per semester, alongside fifteen to twenty hours of weekly time commitment. The recruitment process, known as rush or intake, varies from structured, multi-day mutual selection events to informal, invite-only gatherings.

This investment matters most for students who must balance part-time work with academic requirements. Many families mistakenly believe that Greek life expenses are limited to the semester dues listed on a chapter website. In reality, the true cost includes mandatory national insurance fees, social assessments, and philanthropy shirts. These hidden charges can add hundreds of dollars to the bill before a student even pays for a meal plan or housing.

## Key takeaways

- Greek life requires a heavy time commitment that often reaches approximately 23 hours per week for active members.
- The maximum Federal Pell Grant of $7,395 for 2026-27 is disbursed to the college bursar, not to private Greek chapters.
- Dependent sophomores face a federal student loan limit of $6,500, which rarely covers both tuition balances and chapter house rent.
- Private nonprofit colleges have a median graduation rate of 70%, compared to a 38% median graduation rate at public institutions.
- Families can ask chapter treasurers for the National Dues and Fees Schedule to uncover hidden insurance and philanthropy assessments.

## Understanding Greek Life College Chapters and National Organizations

### The Structure of National Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils

Greek letter organizations operate under a strict national hierarchy. Most traditional social sororities belong to the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which standardizes recruitment rules and judicial procedures across 26 member organizations. Social fraternities generally fall under the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), an trade association representing dozens of national men's organizations. These national bodies establish the overarching bylaws, risk management policies, and liability insurance requirements that every local chapter must follow. When a student joins a campus chapter, they are simultaneously entering a legally binding contract with this national parent organization.

### Local Chapters Versus National Affiliates

While national organizations set the rules, the local chapter manages daily operations on campus. This local entity is run by an executive board of student officers, including a president, treasurer, and recruitment chair. These student officers work closely with a local alumni advisory board and a university Greek life advisor.

A major distinction exists between local dues, which fund chapter events, and national dues, which cover liability insurance, national staff salaries, and leadership conferences. Before signing any membership agreement, an applicant should request the chapter's "Financial Transparency Sheet." This document itemizes exactly how much money goes to the local treasury versus the national headquarters. Families can use this document to calculate the exact ratio of local programming fees to national administrative overhead.

### How Greek Membership Affects Campus Graduation Rates

Greek organizations often cite high graduation rates as a primary benefit of membership. To understand these claims, families must look at the broader institutional context. According to CollegesRef data, graduation rates vary widely by sector. As shown in the table below, private nonprofit colleges have a median graduation rate of 70%, while public colleges have a median graduation rate of 38%.

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For a family evaluating a large public university, the institutional baseline is much lower than at a private nonprofit. For example, CollegesRef data shows that The Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has a graduation rate of 72%. At a large public campus like Penn State, joining a Greek chapter can provide a smaller, structured sub-community. This structured environment often includes mandatory study hours for new members, which can help students stay on track.

However, these academic support systems are not free. Students must balance the academic structure of [campus life](https://www.collegesref.com/blog?category=campus-life) with the financial and time demands of the organization. If the high cost of dues forces a student to work extra hours at a part-time job, the academic benefit of mandatory study hours may be entirely negated. Families should ask the campus Greek life office for the average GPA of Greek members compared to the general student body before committing to recruitment.

| Sector | Colleges | Median net price | Median in-state tuition | Median out-of-state tuition | Median graduation rate | Median earnings (10 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public | 1,039 | $10,493 | $6,026 | $12,554 | 38% | $49,399 |
| Private nonprofit | 323 | $27,147 | $48,702 | $48,702 | 70% | $69,651 |
| Private for-profit | 44 | $29,782 | $17,900 | $17,900 | 41% | $47,524 |

*Source: CollegesRef analysis of [IPEDS](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/) and [College Scorecard](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/) data for 1,406 published U.S. colleges with at least 2,000 students (latest data year 2025). Net price is the average paid by first-time, full-time students who receive grant aid.*

## The Real Fraternity Dues Cost and Hidden Chapter Fees

### Active Member Dues Versus New Member Fees

The first semester of Greek membership is almost always the most expensive. When a student joins a chapter, the local treasurer issues a bill that combines regular active member dues with one-time onboarding fees. Families must request the chapter's detailed budget sheet, often called the "Financial Transparency Sheet," from the chapter president or the campus Office of Greek Life before formal recruitment begins.

Active member dues cover the basic operating costs of the local chapter house, including utilities, Wi-Fi, and common area maintenance. New member fees, however, are front-loaded. These fees pay for educational materials, national registration, and the physical membership pin. A student should calculate the "first-semester premium" by subtracting the standard active member rate from the total new member invoice to see the true cost of joining.

### Social Fees, Insurance Assessments, and Philanthropy Levies

Beyond basic dues, Greek chapters issue separate bills for social events, liability insurance, and mandatory charity contributions. The social fee pays for venue rentals, security personnel, DJ services, and transportation for formal events. These charges are rarely optional, even if a member chooses not to attend the events.

Liability insurance assessments are billed per capita to protect the national organization and the local chapter from lawsuits. These insurance costs have risen steadily due to risk management violations nationwide. To assess the safety record of a campus Greek system before committing to these insurance pools, families can review safety disclosures by reading [campus crime statistics and Clery Act reports](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/campus-crime-statistics-how-to-read-clery-act-reports).

Philanthropy levies are another recurring expense. While chapters raise money for national charities, members are often required to purchase a minimum number of tickets to their own chapter's fundraising dinners or buy t-shirts for every philanthropy week. These small charges are billed directly to the student's account portal, such as Greekbill or Billhighway, and can add hundreds of dollars to the annual cost.

### National Association Fees and Initiation Charges

A significant portion of local dues does not stay on campus. Local chapters must remit individual fees to their national headquarters to remain in good standing. The national association fee covers national staff salaries, leadership conferences, and the publication of the fraternity or sorority quarterly magazine.

Initiation charges are billed immediately prior to the initiation ceremony. This fee covers the cost of the national charter fee and the official badge, which is often manufactured by a licensed specialty jeweler. If a student withdraws from the university or leaves the organization before initiation, these national fees are typically non-refundable.

To avoid unexpected bills, ask the chapter treasurer for a copy of the "National Dues and Fees Schedule" during the mutual selection process. This document lists the exact dollar amounts sent to the national headquarters, allowing families to verify that the local chapter is not adding unauthorized markups to the national fees.

## Housing Costs and Meal Plans in Greek Mansions

### Comparing Chapter House Rent to University Residence Halls
Living in a Greek chapter house is rarely a simple substitute for a standard university dorm room. Some universities own the physical Greek houses and lease them back to chapters. Many houses, however, are owned by private alumni corporations that set their own rent structures. A student must compare the line-item housing contract from the university housing office with the lease agreement provided by the chapter's house corporation treasurer.

To calculate the true difference, request the Chapter House Occupancy Agreement before signing. This document details whether utility costs, internet access, and laundry facilities are bundled into the rent or billed separately. In many cases, the base rent in a Greek mansion appears lower than a standard double room in a university residence hall. The addition of mandatory local building fund fees quickly erases the savings. University housing contracts often cover academic break periods, whereas private Greek leases may require students to vacate during winter and summer breaks or pay an additional storage fee to keep their belongings in their rooms.

### Mandatory Parlor Fees for Out-of-House Members
Students who choose to live in off-campus apartments or standard dorms do not escape the costs of the physical Greek house. Most chapters levy a mandatory charge known as a parlor fee, sometimes called a house privilege fee, on all members who do not reside in the house. This fee covers the wear and tear on common areas, study rooms, and chapter meeting spaces.

For [commuter students trying to stay connected to campus life](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/commuter-students-how-to-stay-connected-to-campus-life), these fees represent a significant, unexpected cost of joining a Greek organization. The parlor fee is billed directly through the chapter's financial portal, such as Billhighway or GreekBill, and is due at the start of each semester. When reviewing the chapter's financial disclosure form during recruitment, look specifically for the "out-of-house member fee" line. If a chapter does not list this fee, ask the recruitment chair for a written statement confirming whether non-residents are billed for house maintenance.

### Greek Meal Plans and Kitchen Maintenance Assessments
Greek houses with commercial kitchens typically require all resident members, and often sophomore non-residents, to purchase a chapter meal plan. Private Greek food service companies manage these plans rather than the university dining services. A student must verify if the university allows them to waive the campus meal plan if they join a chapter with a mandatory in-house kitchen.

If the university does not allow this waiver, a student living in a Greek house might end up paying for two separate meal plans. Chapters also frequently charge a kitchen maintenance assessment to fund commercial appliance repairs and health inspections. To run a personal cost comparison, use this formula:

$$\text{Total Dining Cost} = \text{Chapter Meal Plan} + \text{Kitchen Assessment} + \text{Remaining University Dining Dollars}$$

Compare this total against the standard university unlimited meal plan rate. Ask the chapter treasurer if the meal plan operates during university holidays and final exam weeks, as some Greek kitchens close early, forcing students to buy extra meals retail.

## How Sorority Recruitment and Fraternity Rush Work

### Formal Fall Sorority Recruitment Rounds and Mutual Selection

Formal sorority recruitment is a highly structured, multi-day process governed by the local College Panhellenic Association. It typically occurs over one or two weekends in the fall semester. An applicant must register online through the campus fraternity and sorority life portal, paying a non-refundable registration fee that covers administrative costs and a recruitment t-shirt.

The process relies on a mutual selection algorithm. During the values-round, philanthropy-round, and sisterhood-round events, potential new members visit chapters to converse with active members. After each round, the applicant ranks the chapters they visited in order of preference on a digital selection sheet. Simultaneously, chapters submit lists of candidates they wish to invite back.

The final stage is preference round, a serious, formal event where an applicant visits a maximum of two chapters. After preference round, the applicant signs a binding Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA). This document commits the student to accept a bid from any chapter they list on the form. If they receive a bid on Bid Day and decline it, they cannot join another Panhellenic sorority on that campus for one calendar year.

### Informal Spring Recruitment and Continuous Open Bidding

Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal recruitment process that occurs outside the primary fall recruitment window. It is only available to chapters that have not reached the maximum allowable chapter size, known as house quota or total.

Because COB is unstructured, there are no centralized schedules, registration fees, or formal rounds. Chapters host casual events, such as pizza nights, bowling outings, or study sessions, to meet potential members. A student interested in this route should contact the campus Office of Greek Life and request the "Greek Life Interest Form" or the "COB Interest List" to share their contact information directly with eligible chapters.

While informal recruitment is less stressful, it is also less predictable. Not every chapter participates, and open spots are limited. For students who find the intense social pressure of formal recruitment overwhelming, this path offers a quieter alternative. The high-stakes environment of formal recruitment can sometimes impact student well-being, making it useful to research [campus mental health services: what to ask before you enroll](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/campus-mental-health-services-what-to-ask-before-you-enroll) to ensure adequate support systems are in place during the transition.

### Fraternity Rush Events and the Bidding Process

Fraternity recruitment, commonly called rush, is generally less regulated than sorority recruitment, though it still requires registration with the local Interfraternity Council (IFC). Rush typically spans one to two weeks at the beginning of the semester.

Chapters host individual events, ranging from backyard barbecues and sports watch parties to formal dinners. To calculate the potential cost of rushing, an applicant should ask the IFC office for the "Greek Life Financial Transparency Sheet" for each chapter, which details the exact cost of dues before attending events.

Fraternities extend bids, which are formal invitations to join, throughout the rush period. An applicant can receive multiple bids from different fraternities. Unlike the sorority system, there is no computerized matching algorithm. The student has the freedom to compare offers, weigh the financial obligations of each chapter, and accept the bid that fits best.

## The Weekly Time Commitment of Greek Membership

### Mandatory Chapter Meetings and Study Hours
Active membership in a Greek organization requires a baseline of weekly hours that resembles a part-time job. Every chapter holds a mandatory chapter meeting, usually on Sunday or Monday evening, which lasts between one and three hours. During these sessions, officers present budgets, plan events, and vote on chapter business.

New members face the heaviest academic monitoring. Chapters typically require new initiates to complete supervised study hours, often referred to as "proctor hours," in the university library or the chapter house study room. This requirement ranges from five to fifteen hours per week depending on the student's GPA. To verify these hours, students must sign in on a physical log sheet or use a location-tracking mobile application approved by the scholarship chair. Before joining, an applicant should ask the chapter president for a copy of the bylaws to check the exact GPA threshold and the weekly study hour scale.

### Philanthropy Events and Community Service Requirements
National organizations mandate that local chapters support specific charitable causes. This translates into mandatory service hours and event participation for every active member. A chapter typically requires 10 to 20 hours of community service per semester.

The time commitment spikes during the week of a chapter's signature philanthropy event. Members spend three to five hours a day in the week leading up to the event painting banners, tabling on the campus plaza, and selling tickets. On the day of the tournament, run, or performance, members must work shifts that can last from six to twelve hours. If a member has a class conflict, they must submit an excuse form to the standards board at least two weeks in advance to avoid a fine. Families evaluating how these time demands fit into a student's academic schedule can use the [CollegesRef College Fit Quiz](https://www.collegesref.com/quiz) to weigh extracurricular priorities against study needs.

### Social Calendars, Formals, and Initiation Rituals
Social events and rituals add another layer to the weekly calendar. Initiation week, often called "inspiration week," requires active members and initiates to attend nightly ceremonies lasting two to four hours. These rituals are mandatory and take precedence over non-academic activities.

The weekend social calendar includes mixers, tailgates, and formal dances. While attendance at a Friday night mixer or a Saturday tailgate is technically optional, chapters expect high turnout to maintain social standing. A formal weekend away can consume an entire Friday afternoon through Sunday morning. When adding up the hours, a student should calculate a weekly budget:
* Mandatory chapter meeting: 2 hours
* Required study table hours: 10 hours
* Philanthropy preparation and service: 3 hours
* Rituals and chapter education: 2 hours
* Social events and networking: 6 hours

This brings the total commitment to approximately 23 hours per week. Students who work off-campus jobs or major in demanding laboratory sciences must look closely at these numbers before signing a bid card.

## Funding Greek Life with Financial Aid and Federal Loans

### Can Federal Pell Grants Cover Chapter Dues?

Federal student aid disbursed under Title IV of the Higher Education Act goes directly to the college bursar or financial aid office. The school applies these funds to institutional charges first, which include tuition, mandatory campus fees, and university-owned housing. According to studentaid.gov, the maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2026-27 award year is $7,395.

If a student receives this maximum grant, the college will not send any portion of it directly to a private fraternity or sorority treasurer. A student can only use Pell Grant funds for Greek dues if their total financial aid package exceeds the institutional charges on their student account. When this happens, the bursar issues a credit balance refund check. A student can deposit this refund into a personal bank account and write a check to the chapter treasurer.

Families should use the CollegesRef tool to [compare colleges side by side](https://www.collegesref.com/compare) to see how average net prices and overall cost of attendance figures differ before planning to use surplus aid for social fees.

### Using Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans for Housing

When a student moves out of a university residence hall and into a Greek chapter house, the financial aid office must adjust the student's cost of attendance (COA) budget. This calculation determines the maximum amount of aid a student can receive. If the Greek house is officially recognized by the university as off-campus or affiliated housing, the housing cost can still be covered by federal student loans.

Dependent undergraduate students face strict borrowing caps under federal guidelines. According to studentaid.gov, Direct Loan annual limits for dependent undergraduates are $5,500 in the first year, $6,500 in the second year, and $7,500 in the third year and beyond. Over four years, a dependent student can borrow at most $27,000.

If the chapter house rent is $4,000 per semester, a sophomore's maximum annual loan of $6,500 cannot cover both tuition balances and housing. The student must request an itemized COA worksheet from the financial aid office to see how the school calculates the off-campus housing allowance. If the actual Greek rent exceeds the school's standard off-campus allowance, the student cannot increase their federal loan limit to cover the difference.

### Greek Chapter Scholarships and Payment Plans

Because federal loans and grants rarely cover the full cost of membership, students must look to internal chapter resources. Most national Greek organizations host private foundations that award academic scholarships. An applicant must request the scholarship application form directly from the chapter's scholarship chair during the first month of the semester.

Many local chapters also offer dues payment plans. Instead of requiring a lump-sum payment of $1,200 in September, the treasurer can set up a monthly installment plan through third-party Greek billing platforms like GreekBill or OmegaFi. A student should ask the chapter president for a copy of the bylaws to check if the chapter charges interest or administrative fees for these payment plans.

## Three Real-World Scenarios of Greek Life Financial Planning

### A first-generation student comparing two in-state offers

All household figures in this scenario are hypothetical. Marcus is choosing between two public universities in his home state. The first school has a large, traditional Greek system where chapter members live in off-campus mansions. The second school is a smaller public college where Greek life is non-residential.

Marcus begins by looking at the average net price. CollegesRef data shows that public colleges have a median average net price of $10,493 after grants. Marcus receives a financial aid offer from the larger university that leaves him with a net price of $9,500. However, the university's Greek life website states that first-year fraternity dues average $2,800, which is not covered by his institutional need-based grants.

To make his decision, Marcus takes three steps. First, he contacts the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at both campuses to request the "Greek Scorecard" or local cost disclosure sheets. Second, he calculates his maximum federal borrowing. According to studentaid.gov, a first-year dependent undergraduate can borrow a maximum of $5,500 in Federal Direct Loans. Third, he compares his out-of-pocket costs. At the larger university, his net price of $9,500 plus the $2,800 fraternity fee totals $12,300, leaving a $6,800 gap after his federal student loan. At the smaller public college, the local chapter dues are much lower per semester with no housing assessment.

Marcus decides to attend the smaller public college. This choice allows him to participate in Greek life without exceeding his federal student loan limits or forcing his parents to seek private loans.

### A student utilizing parent loans at a private university

All household figures in this scenario are hypothetical. Sarah is enrolling at a private nonprofit university. CollegesRef data shows that private nonprofit colleges have a median average net price of $27,147, and Sarah's actual net price is close to this figure at $26,500. She wants to join a national sorority that requires members to live in the chapter house during their sophomore and junior years.

Sarah and her parents plan their budget using a four-step process. First, they review the sorority's housing contract. They find that room and board in the mansion is $14,000 per year, which is $2,000 more than the university's standard dormitories. Second, they check the federal limits for parent borrowing. For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, studentaid.gov states that Parent PLUS borrowing is capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 in total per dependent student. Third, they calculate Sarah's sophomore Direct Loan limit, which studentaid.gov sets at $6,500 for dependent students. Fourth, they add the annual sorority chapter fee to the housing premium.

The total cost of tuition, fees, and sorority residency exceeds their cash savings. Sarah's parents realize that borrowing the maximum Parent PLUS loan of $20,000 per year would still leave them short during her sophomore year due to the high sorority fees.

Sarah decides to join a local, non-residential service sorority instead of the national organization. This path keeps her total sophomore expenses within the limit of her $6,500 federal student loan and a modest $5,000 Parent PLUS loan, preserving their family financial stability.

### An independent student balancing work and chapter dues

All household figures in this scenario are hypothetical. David is a 24-year-old independent student transferring to a public university. He wants to join a professional chemistry fraternity to build a professional network.

David follows three steps to evaluate the financial feasibility of joining. First, he confirms his independent student status on the FAFSA. According to studentaid.gov, independent undergraduates can borrow up to $9,500 in Direct Loans in their first year and $10,500 in their second year. Second, he obtains the professional fraternity's fee schedule, which shows an initiation fee and annual dues of $600. Third, he projects his earnings from his 15-hour-per-week off-campus job.

David determines that his federal loans and part-time wages will cover his tuition and rent. Because the professional fraternity does not operate a residential house, he avoids the high meal plan and housing assessments associated with social fraternities. He decides to join the professional fraternity, paying the $600 annual dues directly from his summer work savings.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are fraternity dues billed directly through the university student account?
Most colleges do not bill fraternity dues through the official university student account. Instead, local chapters use third-party billing services like GreekBill or OmegaFi to invoice members directly for national fees, local dues, and social assessments. A few universities maintain a "Greek billing agreement" where chapter charges appear alongside tuition on the bursar bill, but this is rare. Families should check the billing policies of the specific campus Office of Greek Life to see which system is in place.

### What happens if a student cannot pay their sorority dues mid-semester?
A student who falls behind on sorority dues will face immediate suspension of social privileges, meaning they cannot attend formals, mixers, or chapter meetings. If the debt remains unpaid after 30 to 60 days, the local chapter refers the account to an external collections agency and initiates membership termination. National organizations rarely waive dues mid-semester, but some chapters offer short-term payment plans if a member applies before the first payment deadline.

### Do federal student loans cover the cost of sorority recruitment registration fees?
Federal student loans cannot directly pay for sorority recruitment registration fees because these charges occur before the academic term begins and before aid disburses. Registration fees, which cover the cost of t-shirts, logistics, and technology, must be paid out of pocket during the summer when registering online. Once the semester starts and federal funds release to the student account, any remaining credit balance refunded to the student can technically be used to offset these past expenses.

### How much does the average sorority recruitment wardrobe cost?
The cost of a recruitment wardrobe varies wildly, and families must budget for multiple outfits without a standard national average to rely on. Most campuses require specific attire for each stage, ranging from casual t-shirts to formal evening wear for the final preference round. To avoid these retail costs, many applicants rent outfits through online clothing services or borrow dresses from older students who have already completed the process.

### Is housing guaranteed in a fraternity or sorority house for all four years?
Housing in a Greek mansion is almost never guaranteed for all four years of college. Most chapters have a limited number of physical beds, typically reserving spaces for sophomore members and the executive board officers, such as the president and house manager. Juniors and seniors are usually expected, or even required, to move into off-campus apartments to make room for the incoming pledge class.

### What is a parlor fee in Greek life?
A parlor fee is a mandatory charge levied on members who live out-of-house but use the common areas, study rooms, and bathrooms of the chapter mansion. This fee, which varies by chapter and is detailed in the local bylaws, helps fund the maintenance, cleaning, and utility costs of the shared physical facility. Even if a student never sets foot in the house during the week, the chapter bylaws usually mandate this payment as a condition of active membership.

### Can independent students use their higher federal loan limits to pay for Greek housing?
Independent students can use their higher federal loan limits to pay for Greek housing, provided the chapter house is officially recognized by the university as affiliated housing. According to studentaid.gov, independent undergraduates can borrow up to $9,500 in their first year and $10,500 in their second year. When the financial aid office calculates the cost of attendance, they include room and board, allowing these larger loan disbursements to be refunded to the student for rent.

### Are Greek life dues tax-deductible for families?
Greek life dues and social fees are not tax-deductible because local chapters and national organizations are typically registered as 501(c)(7) social clubs rather than 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Even if a portion of the dues goes toward leadership training or academic scholarships, the Internal Revenue Service prohibits deducting payments made for personal social benefits. Only direct donations made to a separate, officially registered educational foundation affiliated with the fraternity are eligible for a tax deduction.

## How we put this guide together

This guide is organized around the questions students and families ask most about the topic, and aims to help with a real decision rather than repeat general advice.

College figures in this guide come from the federal IPEDS and College Scorecard records CollegesRef imports and checks; the table and chart are CollegesRef calculations from those records. The analysis covers IPEDS and College Scorecard data for 1,406 published U.S. colleges with at least 2,000 students (latest data year 2025). Net price is the average paid by first-time, full-time students who receive grant aid.

Federal aid rules and amounts were checked against studentaid.gov and the other official sources below on 2026-11-03.

## Sources

- [National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/)
- [U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/)

*Editorial note: CollegesRef publishes research guidance, not individualized financial, legal, or admissions advice. College figures come from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data imported into CollegesRef. Federal aid amounts can change each award year, so confirm them on studentaid.gov before acting. Last reviewed November 14, 2026 by CollegesRef Editorial.*

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Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/blog/greek-life-in-college-costs-time-and-how-recruitment-works. When citing a figure, include the data year stated next to it.