FAQ's

    Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society inspired by the past and dedicated to the future whose goal is to encourage and reward academic excellence  among freshmen 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, and now has more than three hundred chapters throughout the United States and more than 600,000 members. Texas A&M was chartered as the sixty-seventh national chapter in January of 1949, and this year is the chapter's fiftieth year on the Texas A&M Campus. Phi Eta Sigma was voted membership into the Association of College Honor Societies in 1937. Only three societies have had longer continuous membership. Induction is an outward recognition of personal accomplishment and serves as an incentive for continued high scholarship. It provides members the opportunity to meet freshman scholars from all academic disciplines on their campuses and to join them in promoting academic excellence. Members may apply for scholarships available from national and from local chapters. Membership in Phi Eta Sigma identifies its members to employers, professional and graduate schools as persons of superior academic ability and performance.

2. Who is eligible to join?

On campuses with a chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, all freshman are eligible to join who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale at the close of any curricular period during their first year.

3. Must I be inducted at a particular time?

Although you will prefer to be inducted with your classmates, you do not lose eligibility by missing an induction. You may be inducted later or privately.

4. Is Phi Eta Sigma a social fraternity?

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, but your participation is optional.

5. Must I maintain my average?

No, life-time membership is conferred upon induction.

6. How much does membership cost?

There is a one-time membership fee of $40. Half is sent to the national office while the other half is given to the local chapter to help fund meeting costs and the many local scholarships that are offered annually.

7. What do I get for the $20 national fee?

Your national fee of $20 pays for your key or tie tac, your engraved membership certificate, and your copy of the FORUM. It pays expenses of chapter delegates to the national convention and pays for a study pamphlet provided free to campuses with a chapter of Phi Eta Sigma for distribution to all new students. A portion of the $20 goes to the Founders Fund, which provides up to ten $2000 graduate scholarships and more than twenty $1000 awards to undergraduates.

8. Who is eligible for the scholarships?

Cash graduate scholarships of $2000 and undergraduate awards of $1000 are given to members of Phi Eta Sigma selected by the national scholarship committee. Any graduating member may apply for the graduate scholarships, which are for the first year only of graduate school. Members applying for the undergraduate awards must be nominated by their chapters. Your local chapter adviser has the application forms; national deadline is March 1. Many local chapters also award scholarships.

9. Why should I join Phi Eta Sigma?

Phi Eta Sigma is an outward recognition of personal accomplishment and serves as an incentive for continued high scholarship. It provides you the opportunity to meet freshman scholars from all academic disciplines on your campus and to join them in promoting academic excellence. Also, you may apply for scholarships provided by national and by some local chapters. Membership in Phi Eta Sigma identifies you to employers, professional and graduate schools as a person of superior academic ability and performance.