Ø Is Phi Eta Sigma a social fraternity?
Ø Must I be inducted at a particular time?
Ø What do I get for the national membership fee?
Ø Who is eligible for scholarships?
Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society for college freshman. Our goal is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-year students in institutions of higher learning.
The oldest and largest freshman honor society, Phi Eta Sigma was founded at the university of Illinois on March 22, 1923. We now have more than 300 chapters throughout the United States and more than 700,000 members.
Phi Eta Sigma was voted membership into the Association of College Honor Societies in 1937. Only three societies have had longer continuous membership. Our members take a great deal of pride in the 75-year accomplishments of our society despite the fact that we have the lower membership fee of any member of the association.
All first-year students are eligible to join who have a cumulative gradepoint average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale at the close of any full-time curricular period during their first year.
Although some chapters have social events, we are not a social fraternity. There is a dignified induction ceremony to which your parents and friends may be invited. Most chapters have projects and activities promoting academic excellence and campus and community service, but your participation is optional.
Although you will prefer to be inducted with your classmates, you do not lose eligibility by missing induction. You may be inducted at a future date.
No, lifetime membership is conferred upon induction.
Your national membership fee pays for your academic key or tie tac and your membership certificate. It pays for a portion of the expenses for a chapter delegate to attend the national convention and leadership workshops that are held every two years. The national magazine, the FORUM of Phi Eta Sigma, and the study pamphlet, HINTS on Learning and Studying, are provided to chapters on a complimentary basis.
A portion of the membership fee goes to the Founders Scholarship Fund, which provides thirty-five or more national graduate or undergraduate endowed scholarships of up to $5,000 each and seventy-five or more national undergraduate awards of $1,000 each.
Cash scholarships of up to $5,000 and awards of $1,000 are provided to members of Phi Eta Sigma selected by the national scholarship committee. Members applying for the scholarship and awards must be nominated by their chapters.
Your local chapter adviser has the application forms; national deadline is March 1.
Last revised: 11/1/02