Greek leaders at Penn are trying to make sorority life a bit less expensive.
This semester, the Panhellenic Council, which oversees all sororities on campus, is offering two $200 scholarships to sorority members who joined a chapter last year.
Next semester, anyone who is interested in rushing a sorority will be eligible to apply for the dues scholarship.
Dues, which range from $300 to $600 per semester, depending on the sorority, are not part of University financial-aid packages.
Dues "almost make you quantify your friends," said College sophomore Elena Stein, who is in Alpha Chi Omega and not on financial aid. "It cuts into the money that I spend for other social things."
College sophomore Peggy Feeley, who is in Alpha Phi and is thinking of applying for the scholarship, added that "some people end up quitting fraternities and sororities because they just don't want to pay. If they had a source . help pay, it would help retain members."
The scholarship is intended to "encourage those who would reject Greek life for financial reasons to look at it again," said Wharton junior and Panhel treasurer Angela Hu, the driving force behind the scholarship.
Although dues scholarships are already available through local and national chapters, applicants are usually required to be a current Greek member in order to apply.
As a result, Panhel created the new scholarship so that even prospective sisters would be able to receive financial help.
Once in a sorority, recipients of Panhel's scholarship will also be allowed to apply for additional local or national funds.
Thus, finding aid "is a lot easier after that first semester" of being in a sorority, said College senior and Panhel President Alex Tryon.
The money for Panhel's scholarship is coming from Panhel's funds, which come from dues paid by sorority chapters.
"We were just looking at our budget this year and saw we had a little bit of flexibility," Tryon said of the Council's ability to make the scholarship feasible.
Applicants will be evaluated by a committee made up of members of Panhel, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and local chapters.
The committee will pick candidates based on self-demonsrated financial need, as well as academic record and commitment to Greek and campus life.
Applications are available on Panhel's Web site, Upennpanhellenic.org, and are due Oct. 17.
Recipients will be contacted on Nov. 21.
